[Rated: 4.0/5]
There is good news for all discerning and adventurous Delhites who are always scouting beyond the Indian/Chinese restaurant. The US chain Simply Fondue, is now in India offering fine dine experience much more beyond the obvious – Fondues.
Fondue is primarily a Swiss concept where bite size pieces of breads are dipped in molten cheese with help of a long fondue fork and shared with friends and family. I also know of the American option where cheese is replaced with chocolates. Simple Fondue goes a step ahead and offers a Bourguignon option too from France for calorie conscious, where meats and other vegetables are cooked in the oil based broth and eaten as a main course.
This fine dine restaurant has bright and cheerful interiors with each table offering live induction cooking. We started with Traditional Swiss Chalet (Gruyere and Emmental Cheese, Veg Bouillon and Garlic) & (Monterey Jack Cheese, Cajun Bouillon mixed with Salsa). As instructed we swirl the bread twice inside the hot molten cheese, and take another two swirls outside the heated pot to break those fine layers of cheese before popping them in our mouth. The imported cheese mixed in bouillon and spices gets addictive with each bite, and we keep trying them with different veggies and fruits served along. Each bite leaves its own flavours and we loved the dips of the celery stick and black grapes.
The quality and taste is equally good to the one I had in Switzerland couple of years ago. My guest of the evening, Bhuvnesh Khanna, missed wine along with the cheese fondues but the restaurant is awaiting the license and knows that it will be a big boost to their business. The mocktails – (Pineapple + water melon juice) and Virgin Mary are nice on their own but no alternate to the wine which would have paired beautifully with the dish.
Next is the healthier (without cheese), entree fondue done in either 
or cajun bouillon. We try both and request for an assortment of options from veggies, chicken and seafood. This was tad confusing because one has to dip their ingredient in the boiling bouillon and let it cook which may vary from 1min-3min depending on type of meat or veggies. My Stuffed herbed potato remains a bit undercooked and unlike any other time, I had no one to blame except myself. It is a great meal for adventurous lot who want to cook themselves as well as for the calorie conscious who may not want as much rich cheese in their meal. What we loved the most was the broth which we drank post finishing the meal; all intense flavours from meat and veggies created a storm, and if the restaurant starts serving it as an independent dish, I will be back many more times just to sip on this.
Apart from the Fondues, Simply Fondue has selection of other international dishes too. Buffalo Wild Wings were cooked to perfection and served with a blue cheese dip; it simply isn’t a buffalo wing without it. Smoked chipotle bacon wrapped chicken was another good starter, while mushroom tarragon just melted in the mouth. With spicy lamb sliders I was expecting small burgers with lamb patty. However it came with toasted bread with cooked mince meat. After interesting starters, lamb sliders were average to their comparison.
I had Pork Chops while Bhuvnesh ordered Australian Lamb chops. Both the dishes were cooked to perfection – Medium rare, though no one asked for our cooking preference. The sides were a meal in itself and were beautifully presented. Anyone knowing the cost of Australian Lamb Chops will find it amazing value-for-money.
Options in dessert are limited to Chocolate Fondues which though not cheap can be easily shared with 3-4 people like their other Fondues. Undecided on choosing between white chocolate and dark chocolate, restaurant manager Sandeep Tanwar suggested we go for Rocky Road fondue which is a mix of creamy milk chocolate and rich dark chocolate. Served with sweet cream, Pecans and Walnuts in the sauce and chocolate cake, chocolate wafers, seasonal fresh fruits and choco brownies, we knew this is going to be an immediate hit with everyone with sweet tooth.
Location is excellent, service is great, concept is nice and portions big at Simply Fondue. Best part is given a new concept, both the menu and servers give in their best to make one understand and enjoy the food. So if you like experimenting with food, you don’t have to look any further.
Ratings out of 5
Food: 4.5 | Ambiance: 4.0 | Service: 4.0 | Overall: 4.0
Meal for two: Rs 2200 | Alcohol: License Awaited | Credit Card: Yes | Timings: 12.30 am – 11.30pm
Special Deals:
Address: Simply Fondue, 6 & 8, Ground Floor, Chiranjiv towers, Nehru Place, New Delhi | Phone: 011-32906629
– Pawan Soni
