It may seem odd to pay to eat at a restaurant where you have to cook your own food, but the experience at Shabu Fondue is well worth it. Shabu Fondue gives the communal Swiss dipping meal an Asian twist at a reasonable price, creating deliciously interactive meals.
Shabu Fondue is smaller in size than the more expensive fondue chain The Melting Pot, and the mixed aromas of cheese, chicken broth and chocolate fondues can be overwhelming at first arrival.
To get the most from your fondue experience, sample all three courses. Cheese and dessert are designed for two, while entrées are portioned for individual diners. There are four cheeses, each served with bread cubes and the choice of two of the following: apples, vegetables or cheese-filled soft pretzels and tortilla chips. Choose the pretzels; served warm from the oven and stuffed with zesty cream cheese, they'd be tasty even without the cheese dip. Servers mix the fondue on diners' personal burners, combining shredded cheese, oil and ingredients like artichoke, spinach or tomatoes to create a thick, gooey fondue. Portions are small but allow appetites to endure through dessert. Eat fast, however, because the cheese begins to burn after sitting for a bit.
In addition to a vegetarian option, entrees include shrimp, chicken and thinly sliced prime rib. Diners cook their meat in a broth that lacks flavor, perhaps on purpose since each entrée is served with a choice of two dipping sauces. Sauces include sweet, thick teriyaki, garlic, spicy chili and horseradish, among others. Each entrée is accompanied by a small bowl of white rice and a plate of vegetables to cook.
Dessert is the perfect ending to your fondue meal. Chocolate or caramel is melted and served alongside a tray of fruit, cheesecake bites, marshmallows and graham crackers. The rich, warm chocolate drizzled over fluffy marshmallows or juicy pineapple is so simple yet so sweet.
Dining at a fondue restaurant is a bit of a workout. Conversation at the table may be impeded by attention given to cooking, especially while trying to remember how long raw chicken or beef has been submerged so as not to undercook it. If seated at the long counter snaking through the middle of Shabu Fondue, it can be difficult to connect with companions while facing steaming fondue pots. Fishing out a meal can grow frustrating while arms grow tired from awkwardly reaching across to the pot. But as long as one's wiling to be patient for the meal, Shabu Fondue is worth taking a dip.
