CALGARY: Dipping in the dark

We haven’t had fondue since the last time in Chicago, so we were happy to find it at Laurier Lounge in downtown Calgary. I know it’s simple enough to make at home, but who really wants to scrub hot bowls of melted cheese or chocolate.

I’m noticing a thread in my dining life when it comes to fondues. I can’t get a good photo of the experience at all, usually because the restaurant is too dark. So here are my best shots but that’s not saying much.

Laurier Lounge is in the former childhood home of George Stanley, the man who designed our current Canadian flag. There’s a great roomy patio in the front, a long sleek bar on the first floor and then cozy tables tucked into former bedrooms on the second floor.

Laurier Lounge has a creative list of tapas, including bacon-wrapped dates ($10) and truffle risotto croquette ($10), and heavier entrees such as lobster ravioli ($20) and poutine with foie gras ($29). Despite those temptations, we ordered the fondue experience ($45 per person) which gave us three fondue courses.

It started with the cheese fondue, made of fontina and sauternes wine. It was very good and the bowl of cubed bread went fast.

Then came the 30-day aged beef fondue, a light broth bubbling in a heavy orange pot. We speared, then twirled the long, paper-thin strips of beef around our forks and dunked. Along with that, we each got a plate with green salad, a baked tomato topped with cheese, a baked potato, and some mushrooms and pieces of asparagus also for dunking.

The beef fondue came with three sauces: tomato horseradish, garlic mayo and curry mustard. I quite enjoyed them but Jason opted to go without. It was a nice light summer dinner.

But it moved into “ate too much” territory once we hit dessert. The chocolate fondue came with a generous platter of pineapple, strawberries, blueberries and banana bread pieces.

I really like the atmosphere in the old house and can’t wait to come back to try the tapas. It also looks like a good place to meet people for drinks after-work.

Laurier Lounge, 1111-7th St. SW, Calgary, (403) 228-3771. More info here.