Can anyone share their favorite NYC restaurant for Fondue? I am considering La Bonne Soup and Artisanal (but reviews say the restaurant is very loud and the wait staff rude and indifferent). Area is not an issue, we will be coving a lot of ground during our visit so all suggestions are welcome. Thank in advance!

Artisanal!

It's a little loud...high ceilings. The comment about the wait staff really depends on who your waiter is. We've been a few times and the only time we thought our waiter was rude was this very last time (climax of rudeness was taking away our $8 basket of beignets without asking if we were done...and we weren't). However, there was another waiter who saw the bad service we were getting and would stop by to offer help on wine selection and ask if we were enjoying our meal.

Food at Artisanal is excellent, and *every* wine they stock is available by the glass...very nice touch.

I enjoy eating in the bar in Artisanal much more than the dining room. It is too cavernous and loud.

Thanks for the replies and the encouragement from both of you to try Artisanal; I've been wanting to go there for a while, but the reports of rude staff and the noise level had put me off, your replies were very helpful; I like the idea that all wines are available by the glass, thanks for the info!

GoTravel: Are there small bistro tables in the bar area, or are you seated "at the bar" - there will be four of us so I think we would like a table of some sort. Also can the fondue be ordered in the bar or do they have a special "bar menu". Sorry for all the nit-picky questions but once again I am "group leader" and it's my appointed duty to ask all the stupid questions someone thinks of.

They have small bistro tables in the bar. One long banquette and tables along it with chairs on the other side of the tables. Not roomy but comfortable for four. I much prefer the bar to the dining room.

Thank you!!

La Bonne Soup is a good lunch place or for an inexpensive, casual dinner but not what I'd consider for a special meal. Artisanal is loud but very good.

Another place is
Mont Blanc
306 W. 48th Street
New York, NY 10036
(212) 582-9648

http://www.menupages.com/restaurantd...taurantid=3598

I ate at Mont Blanc last December, and really enjoyed the fondue (we shared the beef, though the cheese looked wonderful as well). It's a Swiss/German restaurant that serves a variety of them in addition to other wonderful food. The rosti was realllly good, too. It's small and cozy, and the service was good, and unrushed. The cross street is 8th Ave.

I've also eaten at Artisanal, which I enjoyed, but liked Mont Blanc better.

Great suggestion - thank you! I'll look into Mont Blanc too. Thanks for the address and the links, very helpful.

Has the Melting Pot chain made it there yet? It is my favorite place in Houston for fondue.

Also, it frequently wins awards from citysearch.com for best atmosphere and best date restaurant. Perhaps it would be good for your group.

Artisinal is just wonderful. They also have an incredible white gazpacho.