They are the most popular winter dishes in France. But you can also find them in several restaurants in New York, even in a pandemic. Here are the best places to eat raclette and fondue in the Big Apple.
Raclette in New York
Raclette: It’s THE ideal restaurant for enjoying raclette like you’re at a ski chalet. The East Village restaurant has installed a street-side terrace with twenty seats, plastic barriers, and space heaters. Here, they serve melted raclette cheese directly onto your plate, starting from half a wheel. The cost is $16 for a plate with potatoes, cornichons, onions, and your choice of cheese (between raclette and morbier). It costs between $5 and $6 to add charcuterie (dried beef, prosciutto, jambon de paris, or dried sausage). Yum! 511 E 12th St, (917) 997-7306.
Cafe Select: The pandemic has not yet stopped the Cafe Select in SoHo, which constructed mini wooden chalets on the street to continue to welcome you with cozy, woodsy decor. In addition to the usual menu, the restaurant offers a raclette menu upon request for $29, to which you can add a plate of charcuterie to share for $16. Purists can also reserve in advance their own raclette machine, at the same individual price. 212 Lafayette St, (212) 925-9322.
Cafe Paulette: This Fort Greene restaurant has served raclette every winter since 2013. It continues the tradition this year on its heated wooden terrace, which seats 25. The cost is $38 per person à la carte, or $35 for a group of 3-5 people with their own machine, which must be reserved in advance. In both cases, there is no additional charge for jambon blanc, saucisson, or jambon de Parme, which are all included in the price. Note that this establishment serves only natural wines, for sale at their wine shop next door. 1 S Elliott Pl, (718) 852-8582.
Fondue in New York
Cafe Select: This SoHo restaurant also offers fondue, at a fixed price of $29 per person (2 people minimum), with six options: classic swiss fondue/wild mushroom/South of the Alps/white truffle oil/fresh herbs/or dark beer. It will be an additional $16 for a plate of charcuterie to share. 212 Lafayette St, (212) 925-9322.
The Greens at the rooftop at Pier 17: This is your fairytale destination for eating fondue. The Greens, situated on the rooftop of Pier17 in Downtown Manhattan, welcomes you to eat in one of their cozy glass cabins, each of which has Christmas trees, wooden floors, cushions, and mood lighting. It’s beautiful, well-decorated, comfortable, in short: you’ll feel like you’re in the mountains. The menu also takes you to the slopes with fondue for $28, in which you can dunk your bread, but also broccoli, crispy potatoes, and pieces of apple and pear. The Greens, Pier 17, 89 South Street.
Hütte: This Upper East Side pop-up is worth at least as much of a visit as The Greens. Hidden in a backyard installed behind the restaurant Schaller’s Stube, Hütte welcomes you with après-ski chalet decor. On the menu, a fondue with a base of swiss cheese mixed with Scharfe Maxx and Kirsch brandy, served with bread, pieces of German sausage (Schaller’s Stube’s specialty), and vegetables. $35 per person, for a minimum of two people. 1652 2nd Ave, (646) 981-0764.
Gran Torino: This bar/restaurant in Williamsburg is owned by the same proprietors as Cafe Select. Here on will find the same fondue but for less, $24 per person, with three options: classic swiss fondue, South of the Alps, or white truffle oil. Dried beef or sausage can be added for $4. Gran Torino has also installed mini chalets on its terrace, as well as a large yurt. 131 Berry St, (347) 987-4333.
