Yup, its that time of the week again! ;)

Fondue House

Cheese (and chocolate!) afficionados rejoice because this week we'll be having fondue for dinner at the rather aptly named Fondue House down in Hartamas!

But first, for those of you who don't know what the heck Fondue is (and perhaps, even for those who DO profess to having eaten it before), here's a brief history lesson from the very cool Gourmet Sleuth site:

This warm cheese dish originated in Switzerland and more specifically in the Canton of Neuchatel. The dish consists of at least two varieties of cheeses that are melted with wine and a bit of flour and served communally out of pot called a "caquelon". Long forks are used by each guest to spear a cube of bread then the bread is dipped into the cheese and eaten.

Fondue dates back to the 18th century when both cheese and wine were important industries in Switzerland. The simple to prepare meal utilized ingredients that were found in most average homes.

Each component of a traditional Swiss fondue plays an import role. Most recipes we see for "traditional" Swiss style fondue are a combination of two cheeses, Gruyere and Emmenthaler. These two cheeses are combined because either cheese alone would produce either a mixture that was too sharp or too bland. The cheeses are most commonly melted in a dry white wine which helps to keep the cheese from the direct heat as it melts as well as to add flavor. The Kirsch (a clear cherry brandy) was added if the cheese itself was too young to produce the desired tartness. The garlic was for additional flavoring while the flour or cornstarch assists in keeping the cheese from separating.

In fact each canton in Switzerland has their own "traditional" style fondue.

(Also, be sure to check out the site for more information from each of the cantons signature dishes to recipes on how to make your own fondue!)

Mmmmm... cheeeeeese...

Seeing as i've never even personally set foot in the place i went about scouring Google but wasn't able to find the restaurant's website or a proper food review on it. The only scrap of information that i DID manage to stumble across was this blogger's review, from whose friends (here & here) i've nabbed the pictures you see liberally scattered around this post. And yes, they're ALL from Fondue House:

I asked for the menu at the entrance coz v weren't sure if the food were delicious. I tot there would b huge silver steamboat like the Chinese steamboat.

SF asked skeptically to the 4ever optimistic waitress, "Can fill stomach till full?" The waitress nodded repeatedly and eagerly explained the menu, "So so so?"

Wah.. it was probably the lack of customers tat made her eyes gleamed when v stepped in gingerly.

It took about 10 minutes for the food to arrive. The holder (which has the fire & stuff, like aromatheraphy candle holder) was... small. Way much smaller than wat I expected. On 1 side of the wall, there were lots of steamboat holders/pots for deco, I guess. Too bad I don't hv a digital camera... any1 feeling generous?

Disappointed at the size. It's at 'high class' location, wat did v expect? Everything is more $, smaller. The taste was quite good actually, v ordered Chicken fillet set at about RM30 (link with images) with Garlic Cheese *muah muah* which had:

* several short sticks of carrot
* 3 trees of brocoli (ngam ngam for SF, Ann & I)
* a small basket of bread, several sticks of biscuit as well as small square soda biscuits

I ordered Hot Choc which came in small cup. Finally I had spoon (from the drink) to scoop some cheese sauce/dip hehe :p Luckily, SF also ordered French fries, else I would still b hungry! The portion is suitable for a single person (big eater) or 2 ppl (small eaters).

As there wasn't many customers, SF said, "Can they on some music? It's too quiet. V also hv to speak more si man (ladylike & gentlemanly). Hahha."

When Chung & Serena reached, Chung gawked at the table, "Tat's all ar?"

SF suggested, "Chung, go tapao (take away) nasi over here!"

Chung moaned, "Haiya, ngo fan tung lei karr.. mmm tak lar. Yatt jing kan, 2nd round!" (I'm a rice-nut. Cannot. Later, 2nd round!)


The strawberry fondue steamboat looked inviting but v just didn't want to spend RM20 on it. Actually the huge strawberries were worth RM15 (I saw the same amount of tat price in Jusco & Isetan) & if u melt ur own choc, I guess it would be RM4-6 too.

Regardless, comparatively it can't be any more expensive than some of the previous places we've gone to... (can you say Cafe Cafe?). And i must say, that chocolate fondue looks MIGHTY inviting... *drool drool*.

Oh, and on a related note, Debbie recommends trying the bacon cheese and garlic cheese fondues!

Its not terribly hard to find either...

The official address is No. 5, Plaza Prisma Ville, Jalan 26A/70A, Desa Sri Hartamas, 50480 KL (tel: 03 6203 3346), and you can find it right opposite the Hartamas Coffee Bean, just below the TNT Kickboxing school, with the Coffee Bean being next to the Soda club (previously known as Bar Med).

The Backyard Pub

Following our night of fondue we're gonna hit the nearby Backyard Pub for some drinks and live music!

Be sure to check out their very awesome Backyard Pub website for everything you could possible want to know about the place from their Thursday to Saturday night live musical acts, beverage menu, promos, history and even approximately 4,000 random pictures!

As luck would have it, we'll be able to watch some of their very best performers on stage this Saturday! Check it out:


Albert Sirimal and Vijay David are the acknowledged top-billers of Backyard. With percussionist Bada, they add a new rhythmic, Latin-flavoured dimension to their repertoire.

Their music ranges from the 60s to the 90s including rhythm & blues, rock, funk and jazz and when Vijay is in the mood anything from rap to opera (!).

Vijay and Albert were the Top Of The Pubs winner and runnerup respectively in 1989 and since then have forged a partnership that has spanned almost 15 years.

"God has given us a gift, and everywhere we play we're a hit with the audience," says Vijay. The trio acknowledge that playing in Backyard is always enjoyable because of the "discerning regulars" who are great listeners and always motivating and appreciative.

Expect some mellow rock and light and easy numbers in the early set, and some raunchier, rousing stuff as the night proceeds.

w00t!!!

You can find the location of the place here (click for more details):


Sounds like a good night out! As always, everyone and anyone is invited! Dinner is at 8:30pm as usual and, as per procedure, if you're interested in coming kindly either leave a comment here, email me, or phone me for additional details and/or bookings (by Friday afternoon the latest please) with details on how many friends/mistresses/family you will be bringing.

See you there! ;)

PS: PLEASE confirm with me by Friday evening at the LATEST and please, sweet Jeebus, stick to your confirmations mmmkay? It just makes my life that much easier...