Photograph by George Sakkestad
Tracey Cutler, who owns La Fondue restaurant in Saratoga with her husband, Mitchell, prepares to take a dip.
By Suzanne Cristallo
La Fondue Restaurant on Big Basin Way in Saratoga is the only place in California where customers can cook meats fondue-style at their table and enjoy dipping a variety of breads and other edibles in nine different melted cheeses, say owners Mitchell and Tracey Cutler.
The two scouted for months for the perfect location to try out their idea. Saratoga was it, and the concept has worn well since they opened their eatery four years ago.
Customers may choose from a variety of entrees, including calamari, teriyaki, vegetables and sirloin, which they then cook in pots heated by specially designed burners built into the tabletops. Diners can choose a variety of "cooking methods," such as red or white wine sauces, canola oil or vegetable broth.
Waiters prepare the chaffing dishes, filling them with any of up to 50 varieties of fondues, then deliver cuts of bread, fruit, vegetables, meat and seafood for dunking. A combination dinner, which includes a cheese fondue appetizer, either a tossed green or spinach salad, a meat platter and a dessert fondue, runs $20 to $30 per person. Fondues also may be ordered a la carte for $10.95 to $14.95 a piece.
Tracey Cutler grew up in Turlock, and Mitchell came from Montreal. Both are 34 and met at the University of Southern Florida, where she studied political science and he was an art history major. They parted for a year and a half, while Mitchell returned to Montreal and lived for a while in Germany. In 1986, they graduated, he from Miguel University and she from USF. They were married the same year.
Both worked in restaurants during their school years. Ignoring the calling of their respective college degrees, they bought their own restaurant in Miami, which they operated for three and a half years. But the draw of her home state was strong for Tracey. Saratoga became not only the home for La Fondue, it became their home as well. It is also the location for another more recent food-related endeavor of the couple--the Blue Rock Shoot, just across the street from La Fondue.
La Fondue Restaurant, 14510 Big Basin Way, Saratoga. Open for dinner Mon.-Thu., 5:30-9 p.m.; Fri.-Sat., 5-11 p.m.; Sun. 4:30-9 p.m. Reservations a week in advance recommended. Call 867-3332.
This article appeared in the Saratoga News, August 28, 1996.
©1996 Metro Publishing, Inc. All rights reserved