MATTERHORN RESTAURANT, Cow Hollow/Pacific Heights, SF
We've had a rocky start as a supper club. Although we've popped into a handful of restaurants throughout the Bay Area, our organization has been lacking. Readers beware; this review is constructed through faulty memory. Only recently, have we gotten our heads together to record our culinary exploits.
Last fall, we had the pleasure of visiting Matterhorn Restaurant, which kicked off our European Supping Tour. Parking was thankfully easy in this particular neighborhood and unlike most restaurants in SF; we were able to make reservations, which promptly got us a table. As soon as we walked through the door, we were immediately whisked away to a Swiss chalet. We could imagine snowdrifts sweeping past the windows. A giant map of der Schweiz was sprawled across the very back wall. The ambiance was cozy and dimly lit, lending to a spacious yet intimate affair. The guests were as diverse as they were loud. This is a great place for big parties and hearty eaters. The spirit of Switzerland can lead groups to rousing debates and convivial uproars, so be sure to come with an empty stomach and an appetite for lively discussions.
Before the main event, we were each served a small salad of mixed greens, and, if memory serves, these were not particularly noteworthy. We ordered the "The Spicy One" Fondue Ticinese, which had a piquant punt to the palate. Definitely one of the best. The Original Fondue Valaisanne was heavy with the robust flavors of Gruyere and Swiss. We were disappointed with the mundane cheese-fare of "The Smokey One" Fondue Allemagne, a boring blend of smoked cheeses. Favorite dipping items of choice were the potatoes. How can anyone mess up cheese & potatoes? The bite-sized bread was an excellent accompaniment as well. The mushroom dippers weren't as flavorful and, therefore, disappointing. A quick note let your dippers stew in the fondue for a few seconds so they can truly soak up the savory tastes. We shared a bottle of Swiss white wine, which the wait staff wisely and kindly suggested for us. Overall, the service was gracious and informative. They had answers to questions that were just beginning to form in our collective minds.
For those of us who were uninitiated to fondue, this was definitely the place to be de-flowered by the ultimate melted cheese experience. Although the fondue was extraordinary, unfortunately, Matterhorn Restaurant was not enough to tempt us back. Perhaps fondue just isn't our bag. All the same, this is a must-do-at-least-once.
Matterhorn Restaurant
2323 Van Ness Avenue
San Francisco, CA 94109
(415) 885-6116
http://matterhorn.ypguides.net/
We've had a rocky start as a supper club. Although we've popped into a handful of restaurants throughout the Bay Area, our organization has been lacking. Readers beware; this review is constructed through faulty memory. Only recently, have we gotten our heads together to record our culinary exploits.
Last fall, we had the pleasure of visiting Matterhorn Restaurant, which kicked off our European Supping Tour. Parking was thankfully easy in this particular neighborhood and unlike most restaurants in SF; we were able to make reservations, which promptly got us a table. As soon as we walked through the door, we were immediately whisked away to a Swiss chalet. We could imagine snowdrifts sweeping past the windows. A giant map of der Schweiz was sprawled across the very back wall. The ambiance was cozy and dimly lit, lending to a spacious yet intimate affair. The guests were as diverse as they were loud. This is a great place for big parties and hearty eaters. The spirit of Switzerland can lead groups to rousing debates and convivial uproars, so be sure to come with an empty stomach and an appetite for lively discussions.
Before the main event, we were each served a small salad of mixed greens, and, if memory serves, these were not particularly noteworthy. We ordered the "The Spicy One" Fondue Ticinese, which had a piquant punt to the palate. Definitely one of the best. The Original Fondue Valaisanne was heavy with the robust flavors of Gruyere and Swiss. We were disappointed with the mundane cheese-fare of "The Smokey One" Fondue Allemagne, a boring blend of smoked cheeses. Favorite dipping items of choice were the potatoes. How can anyone mess up cheese & potatoes? The bite-sized bread was an excellent accompaniment as well. The mushroom dippers weren't as flavorful and, therefore, disappointing. A quick note let your dippers stew in the fondue for a few seconds so they can truly soak up the savory tastes. We shared a bottle of Swiss white wine, which the wait staff wisely and kindly suggested for us. Overall, the service was gracious and informative. They had answers to questions that were just beginning to form in our collective minds.
For those of us who were uninitiated to fondue, this was definitely the place to be de-flowered by the ultimate melted cheese experience. Although the fondue was extraordinary, unfortunately, Matterhorn Restaurant was not enough to tempt us back. Perhaps fondue just isn't our bag. All the same, this is a must-do-at-least-once.
Matterhorn Restaurant
2323 Van Ness Avenue
San Francisco, CA 94109
(415) 885-6116
http://matterhorn.ypguides.net/
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