Fondue Fred? More like Fondue Sal.

When you hear the word “fondue,” I’m sure the first thing you think of is strawberries dipped in chocolate; so typical. I don’t blame you. But I recently had my first dose of a legitimate Swiss fondue dinner.

A native favorite of the city of Berkeley, this location hadn’t raised my interest until I heard good things about it. It’s an indoor/outdoor restaurant located in a mini-mall and is a bit hidden within the city.

It’s not a formal restaurant, but has a charming New Orleans look to it, complete with lantern lights and small outdoor tables. The atmosphere is romantic and there was exotic Spanish classical music playing in the background.

Sal was very inviting and had a good sense of humor. He checked on his guests continuously during their stay, making conversation.

On the menu was a list of several different gourmet and cheese fondues to choose from. I ordered a delicious Chateaubriand steak fondue that was relatively similar to a beef stew. It consisted of tender pieces of steak sauteed in butter, wine, mushrooms and vegetables.

During my stay, I also had salad, red potatoes and French bread cut into bite-size pieces, items typically served with fondue.

The salad was delicious, made with Sal’s homemade house dressing. While I waited, I got to know some of the customers, who praised Fondue Fred as phenomenal and a homey environment.

The wait for my dinner was roughly 10 minutes, which was well worth it. The Chateaubriand steak was soft and fell apart as soon as I bit into it.

The French bread tasted best dipped in the Chateaubriand stew.

 Our dessert consisted of a plate of several fruits such as strawberries, cantaloupe, and bananas as well as strawberry marshmallows to dip in.

Overall, I’d say the chocolate fondue was the icing on the cake. It wasn’t too pricey and dinners usually serve two people. Overall, the stay at Fondue Fred was welcoming and deserves a second visit.