$$ ‧ French restaurant
In the heart of Montmartre, since 1966, Le Refuge des Fondues has been more than just a fondue haven; it's a place where gastronomy intertwines with camaraderie. Upon arriving you might find the front door locked, I recommend making a reservations a week or so in advance in order to secure your spot, and if you do have a reservation and the door is locked, make sure to knock, someone will be with you as soon as they get a moment. Upon entering you quickly realize this isn't your regular fondue place. The space is small with 2 rows of long tables parallel to each wall with a small walkway in between to offer enough space for one. The walls and chairs that line them are covered in grafiti, that you will find out towards the end of your meal are for each patron to leave a note, a memory to be immortalized into the restaurant.
My friend and I were the last of the restaurants guests to arrive that evening and so one of us had to face the challenge of climbing over the table to get to our seat. I was wearing a black jumpsuit and my friend a dress so I decided to take the inside seat and step over the table. A lovely lady from Denmark seated to my right gave me her hand and helped me step over and we quickly became good friends.
The seating is quite tight, my shoulders nearly brushed those of each guest on either side of me. The young lady from Denmark introduced us to the rest of her party, which included another young lady who lives on the other side of Denmark and a gentlemen, for whom they both came to visit. He who had recently moved to Paris from Ireland for work and was finding it a much more livable place than Dublin due to the rapidly increasing costs of living.
The tightness and jovial vibe of the restaurant made it quite easy to make conversation and friends as we all ate cheese, drank wine from baby bottles and talked about every topic that came to mind. We had such a lovely time that we joined our new friends for drinks at a Tiki bar called 'Dirty Dick' a few blocks away, that one of the ladies from Denmark had been wanting to visit since arriving in the city.
The menu is set at €29 per person with a minimum of 2 persons for your reservation. You get to choose between 2 set meals.
1. Fondue Savoyarde de fromages affinés - This is a fondue made of cheeses that originate from the Savoie regions of the Rhone Alps and 2. Fondue Bourguignon - this is a kind of fondue, where pieces of meat are dipped and cooked in hot oil. Each includes Kir d'accueil and a amuse-bouche. Kir is a french aperitif made of crème de cassis (a black current liqueur) topped up with white wine and amuse-bouche is typically a small dish served before a meal. You also get the choice of red or white wine served in a baby bottle and a choice of dessert.
Once we had chosen our fondue for the evening we were quickly served our Kir and amuse-bouche. This was my first time trying Kir and it was absolutely delightful and paired perfectly with our raised plate of appetizers which included various olives, pickles, cheeses and cured meats.
Shortly before we received our little pot of cheese and basket of bread we were given our baby bottles of wine. I loved the idea, but quickly realized how difficult it really is to drink out of one. The fondue itself was delicious and we enjoyed every bit of it. For dessert I had a pleasant tart and my friend had a delightful merengue ice cream.
How To Get There:
Located at 17 Rue des Trois Frères, we recommend if you are taking metro to get off at Abbesses metro station. But be prepared for a unique journey if you d0 opt for the metro, as Abbesses is Paris's deepest station with 176 steps to climb. Alternatively, await the lift for an easier ascent.
Final Thoughts:
Le Refuge des Fondues isn't just a restaurant; it's a whimsical journey into communal dining. From navigating tables to sipping wine from baby bottles, each aspect adds to the charm. In the heart of Montmartre, this timeless gem beckons all who seek not just a meal but an unforgettable experience, where the spirit of Parisian conviviality is at its finest.
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