Restaurant review: Little Dipper

Are you fond of fondue? Perhaps a cheap pun but useful nonetheless!

Little Dipper, Fondue on Front will be celebrating it's second anniversary this July. We all know fondue enjoyed its heyday 30 years ago but as dining has become the new form of entertainment in this country it has witnessed a comeback.

Now obviously, little is cooked by the kitchen here so it is very important that the raw ingredients be fresh and pristine and the dipping sauces and cooking liquids be superb as well.

The cheese courses are fun and tasty and served with an intriguing assortment of fruits, veggies and excellent locally made bread-it would be lovely to see the bread cut into bigger chunks and toasted so the cheese can really shine, the carrot sticks need to be replaced and the red potatoes needed to be a bit more done.

There is a very well thought out wine list to accompany cheese and dinner or you could do multiple cheese fondues with different wines for a fun night.

PUHLEEEZEE do not serve an abundant salad in a too small bowl with the dressing on the side! Even the most experienced diner will suffer toddler flashbacks as sliced mushrooms robed in slices of balsamic vinaigrette cascade into their lap (not to mention how attractive one will smell to their date later in the evening-).

Meats and shellfish were all of decent quality and the cooking liquids were all very flavorful. The server suggested ordering the meats plain as opposed to teriyaki to let the different flavors come through the sauce and after trying everything both ways, wholeheartedly agreed with her.

The dipping sauces were very, very good-especially the Dijon Cognac. Again, the tiny red potatoes need to be cooked a bit longer by the kitchen because if you ordered a broth instead of the oil the potatoes had to remain in the pot the entire time and by the time you've eaten all of the assorted meats and veggies you don't even want the potatoes!

On to dessert! Of course warm chocolate is great and if you add liquor even better! I would love to see perhaps some dried apricots or lovely skewered dried cherries- the mini éclairs were DIVINE but the marshmallows were inelegant in contrast-now I am not suggesting taking the marshmallows away-oh, no! Just that perhaps there could be a pricier plate with a dark chocolate fondue with said éclairs and the aforementioned dried fruits, hmmm?

The interior is fun (brace yourself I'm going to gush) much visual interests with steps and turns and odd walls and secluded booths with fireplaces filled with candles, a beautiful bar with perfect lighting so everyone looks alluring, a cozy outdoor bar a jellyfish tank, I love the layout of this place -- I imagine it's murder on the wait staff!

It's a bit expensive for the entire dinner and dessert and alcohol but you could certainly enjoy a reasonably priced dinner sans dessert and booze. (I wouldn't, though, the martinis are soooo scrumptious!)

It's perfect for a second date that you want to get warmed up or a place to take bored teenagers who are too cool for the universe.

It's not the place to take strangers, your boss or a picky eater! To check out the full menu and hours go to www.littledipperfondue.com.

Go on, have a night out -- it's not serious dining by any means but it's fun, the wait staff is incredibly nice, you'll have some good laughs and you won't be eating at a vastly inferior chain restaurant!