• Traditional cheese fonduecheese fondue image by araraadt from Fotolia.com
  
  Fondue, from the French word for "melted," is a hearty Swiss peasant dish made from a blend of melted cheeses, wine and seasonings. Typically, the fondue bubbles in a heated pot in the center of the table, and everyone dips crusty bread or other dippers skewered onto long fondue forks into the pot. Fondue is a great dish to share with friends on a chilly winter night. There are also more modern variations, such as beef fondue, where you dip pieces of beef into hot oil, and dessert fondue, where you dip pieces of fruit, like strawberries or bananas, into melted chocolate. San Francisco boasts several restaurants serving various types of fondue.
  
  

Matterhorn Restaurant

• The restaurant is named after the Matterhorn, one of the tallest mountains in Switzerland.matterhorn image by Louise McGilviray from Fotolia.com
  
  Matterhorn has the biggest selection of fondues in San Francisco: eight cheese fondues, each featuring a different blend of cheeses; three beef fondues; as well as the chocolate fondue for dessert. As of 2010, the fondues cost $38, $46 and $16, respectively, for two people. The cheese and beef fondues come with a mixed green salad, and additional dippers such as mushrooms or sausage are available for an extra charge. In addition to fondue, Matterhorn's extensive menu features other Swiss specialties such as Zuri "Gschnatzeltes" veal and roesti potatoes.
  
  Matterhorn Restaurant
  2323 Van Ness Ave.
  San Francisco, CA 94109
  415-885-6116
  matterhorn.ypguides.net
  
  

Melt!

• Melt! is a North Beach neighborhood cafe serving four types of cheese fondue: the classic Swiss cheese fondue and three cheddar-based fondues. As of 2010, a small fondue, for one to two people costs $30, and a large for up to four people, costs $40. All fondues come with a side salad, as well as apple wedges, grapes and French bread for dipping. Tuesdays are "Fondue & Film" nights, when Melt! screens classic French cinema to accompany your fondue. Melt! also regularly hosts other events such as open mic nights and concerts.
  
  Melt!
  700 Columbus Ave.
  San Francisco, CA 94133
  415-392-9290
  melt-cafe.com
  
  

South Beach Cafe

• South Beach Cafe is an Italian restaurant known for its tasty pizzas, but the Wednesday night special is Swiss cheese fondue. It is served with pickles, cocktail onions, pepperoncini and bread as dippers. As of 2010, the Swiss cheese fondue special is $14 per person.
  
  South Beach Cafe
  800 Embarcadero St.
  San Francisco, CA 94107-2115
  415-974-1115
  southbeachcafesf.com