Chicago - November 02, 2007

Do the Dude

The Fondude

She paces back and forth, trying to simmer down before her neighbor — the lanky one with the crooked dimple — arrives for the home-cooked meal she promised.

Home cooked. What was she thinking?

A knock at the door. Who is this tall, dark, handsome man of mystery, cloaked in culinary musk?

He puts his fingers to his lips (shhh), mouths the word Fondude, and finds his way to her kitchen to set up the kit for a romantic evening of dipping: fondue pot, table setting, fresh ingredients, magic love dust.

She flirts shamelessly with her date while The Fondude steeps three Swiss cheeses in white wine (for classic, robust flavor) and Kirsch cherry brandy. He sets the table, lays out a baguette and cornichons, and gives the 101 on how to not burn your tongue. Then he jets.

The tete-a-tete makes for a magical evening. And she considers ordering the fromage á trois for the next time around.

Cheesy but true.

The Fondude (773-294-1962 or the-fondude.com).