Tag Archives: alpine fondue

Alpine Fondue

As you may already know, cheese is collectively one of our favorite foods here at Via Umbria. Every year we host the MELT fondue fest and even though that is only a week passed, we are already craving some more fondue! We have shared our recipe for Alpine Fondue which was one of our featured fondue’s this year! Screen Shot 2018-03-06 at 6.08.51 PM

Serve with Cubed Bread and Veggies Read more

As you may already know, cheese is collectively one of our favorite foods here at Via Umbria. Every year we host the ...

MELT

Our annual MELT Fondue Fest is a good excuse for us at Via Umbria to throw a party and celebrate one of our favorite foods: Cheese! This was our 3rd year of hosting and we changed the cheese to keep the event fresh and fun. This years cheese extravaganza focused on 4 signature melted cheese dishes:

1)Italian Fonduta–  Melted Fontina Val D’Aosta with Grappa
2) Queso Blanco– Melted Queso Blanco with Jack Cheese, Cumin, Green Chiles and Cayenne
3) Alpine Fondue– Classic Melted Gruyere
4) Carnaroli Risotto-Carnaroli Risotto Made in a wheel of Grana Padano

Each cheese was also specially paired with a beer or wine to perfectly compliment it’s flavors.  Below you will find some of our favorite shots of this year’s event, and if you weren’t able to attend then we look forward to seeing you next year!
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Cheesey Read more

Our annual MELT Fondue Fest is a good excuse for us at Via Umbria to throw a party and celebrate one of ...

Fifty Pounds of Cheese

On Wednesday March 30, passport in hand, our intrepid MELTers traveled through the raclette rivers and fondue forests to visit each of our five amazing cheese stations. First stop? The accompaniments table! A veritable cornucopia of mouthwatering treats from homemade pretzel bites to Gordy’s pickles, to a selection of our favorite charcuterie, this table featured something special for everyone (and every cheese).

Passport to Cheese

Choosing Accompaniments

Next, our fearless cheese fiends found sanctuary in a down-home Midwestern favorite: Wisconsin Cheese Curds. These ooey-gooey, deep fried pieces of heaven were an instant classic–especially when paired with Chef Johanna’s homemade marinara! Don’t just take our word for it though, stop by Spritz O’Clock soon to taste these mini marvels for yourself.

Wisconsin Cheese Curds

Further into the cafe, our daring patrons were treated to the dazzling spectacle (and mouthwatering aroma) of raclette being melted to order. When paired with Gordy’s Pickles and starchy potatoes, this station was a #MELTy indulgence beyond compare. For those of you looking to recreate this moment at home, stop by and pick up a Partyclette machine from our cheesemonger and be the host with the most at your next dinner party.

Enjoying Plates of Raclette

Before following the scent of cheesy goodness upstairs, our noshing nomads made a quick stop in the wine room for a triumphant taste of American Pub cheese. This beer based bite of bliss paired perfectly with the Port City Porter and Chef Johanna’s homemade pretzel bites. Pretzels, porter, and pub cheese? What more could a party provide?!

Dipping into American Fondue

The answer to that question lay waiting for patrons upstairs in our laboratorio where Chiara was serving an Italian Fonduta over perfectly toasted baguette. This truffle infused #MELTy masterpiece was clearly a crowd favorite, as it was the first to disappear. Fortunately, Federico came to the rescue and delighted our dauntless diners with handmade cheese ravioli. For those who missed it, he will be hosting an encore pasta performance in the Cafe every day at lunchtime.

Italian Fonduta Station

Last, but certainly not least, our gallant and engorged guests found themselves faced with a meal of mountainous proportions…or at least flavors. The Alpine Fondue station, featuring smooth, garlicky, Swiss flavors had everyone yodeling for more.

Bill at the Alpine Fondue Station

We would like to say a special Thank You to all of our courageous cheese connoisseurs for making this event such a success. We went through fifty pounds of cheese, but our cheese counter is still stocked! For those of you who weren’t able to attend (or want to relive the night), we have a special treat: visit our cheese counter and take home a fondue kit, specially curated by in-house Cheesemonger Alice Bergen Phillips and make a little #MELTed magic of your own.

Mini Fondue Kits

A MELT Retrospective Read more

On Wednesday March 30, passport in hand, our intrepid MELTers traveled through the raclette rivers and fondue forests to visit each of ...