Romantic Emergency - Considering Fondue Stube

Seeking to take my sweet significant other to someplace intimate and different, I am considering Fondue Stube, on W. Petersen Avenue in Chicago. Has anyone been? Any thoughts appreciated.

Fondue Stube isn't bad, but especially for a romantic interlude, Geja's is soooo much better ...

Personally, I feel like Geja's is overrated. Also, the fondue oil gives me the worst stomach pains - hardly romantic at the end of the evening.

How about requesting a private booth at Sabatino's? You can get steak diane and one of a number of desserts prepared tableside. Do a search on it, as it is highly rated by some of the others on the board.

I'm not a big fondue fan (and I'm pretty sure Fondue Stube hasn't updated their decor in at least 3 decades), but if you're looking for something intimate, I'd highly recomment the back vault tables at Opera.

Opera is housed in an old Paramount (I think) film repository and the valuts at the rear of the building have been converted into semi-private tables. You can request one of these tables with your reservation. I think that they will tell you that they can't gaurantee one will be ready when you arrive, but you'll be first in line. I've never had a problem.

More about Opera

Opera
1301 S. Wabash
312-641-0161
www.opera-chicago.com

Best,
Michael / EC

Another reluctant no on fondue. It does seem cozy and suited for sharing and closeness. However, I find that the fine mist of oil that coats you better suited for a later moment in the Romantic Night Timeline.

The chocolate part yes, dinner not so much.

I like Fondue Stube fine.

It is what it is, not trying to be anything it isn't. Prices are reasonable and they serve a stiff cocktail.

Mr. Food Nut and I went on an anniversary and really enjoyed it. Good service, too.

Just don't expect Geja's. The decor is a bit-outdated, but I appreciate the personal touch the owner adds to the restaurant in service. It's small and you feel taken care of...

I also don't smell like hot oil when I leave the Stube, like I do when exiting Geja's.

Plus, there is a two-for-one coupon in the Entertainment Book, making it an even better deal.

Food Nut wrote:
Plus, there is a two-for-one coupon in the Entertainment Book, making it an even better deal.

I'm wondering how everyone feels about using a 2-1 coupon on a romantic "date". I'd personally never do it. Got to impress the babes, you know, and using a coupon seems tacky in that situation.

I'm not saying use the coupon on a date necessarily, you know.

However, as a soon-to-be married woman, I'm used to it. Especially, since I'm the one finding all the coupons.

Plus, everything depends on your financial situation. If using a coupon might get you to a higher end place, I'm sure you could approach the server discreetly about the coupon and the date need not know.

If I recall correctly, our last anniversary Mr. Food Nut wanted to take me to North Pond. Which, I'm sure, is fantastic.

However, I had him check the web for the menu/prices. He soon warmed up to my idea of Fondue Stube and the coupon for our anniversary dinner.

It really was lovely and not about the $$$... if it's true love.

It's been years since I've been to Fondue Stube, but it used to be a favorite for things like anniversaries when we were first married.

It's been years since I've been there, so I don't know if they still do this, but they used to have live music. Usually something pleasant classical (a cellist, perhaps), but I'd ask if they still do it, and consider whether you want to try to speak over it -- ask for a table away from the music.

stevez wrote:I'm wondering how everyone feels about using a 2-1 coupon on a romantic "date". I'd personally never do it. Got to impress the babes, you know, and using a coupon seems tacky in that situation.

my babe is ONLY impressed when i break out the 2for1/restaurant.com/entertainment book coupons.. or if you're really savvy, double up by using restaurant.com GC and charge it to a card on Rewards Network.

in all seriousness, not on the first few dates, but afterwards... yah, i'm all about coupons. and she better like it, or she can take a hike.

Thank you to all who replied. I appreciate it.

I actually like Fondue Stube, and go there a couple of times a year. I agree with Food Nut, they're not trying to be anything they aren't. It's not complicated and the quality is always good. As far as it being romantic, I'm not sure. But it's always a good time whether I'm there with my husband or friends.

Never encountered live music there. Maybe I'm alone on this, but I find live music (especially the roaming kind) intrusive and anxiety-inducing. The fact that Fondue Stube hasn't redecorated in thrity years doesn't bother me a bit. I still get my Rewards Network miles.

if you're looking for something special and different on Petersen (and not worried about price) skip the Fondue Stube and opt instead for Katsu, probably the finest, most intimate Japanese restaurant in the city. Even if you loathe sushi, you can eat all kinds of amazing varieties of cooked items, such as the beef asparagus rolls which I nicknamed "the Ruiner." "Why the ruiner? my pal asked, and I replied, "Because now any other beef & asparagus rolls will never be able to live up to this." And so far, I have been correct in my somewhat histrionic announcement... And then we proceeded to have sushi and sashimi that just altered my plane of reference for sushi.

I had such a special time at Katsu that I'm always trying to match special nights as an excuse to go there.

There have been oodles of threads on how stellar Katsu is, but, alas, I am a dork and a tired mom and don't know how to link them here. But know that I'm not alone in my fervor, And finally, if the sweltering weather continues, I'd be much more inclined toward Japanese than heavy oil-fried things and would be touched that a date would take that into consideration i.e. Fondue Stube in winter, yessssss, findue antwhere in July? not so much.

Good luck.

bjt