The Bier Markt's Fondue Feastivül Offers Torontonians a One-of-a-Kind Culinary Experience

Perfect for sharing, the Bier Markt's new limited-time Fondue Feastivül offers delicious warm cheese, exotic hot broth and decadent warm chocolate fondues

TORONTO - January 21, 2009 - The Bier Markt, Toronto's premier Belgian-inspired Brasserie, has launched its annual Fondue Feastivül entitled, ME, YÜ, UND FONDÜE on January 21st until February 28th. The limited-time Feastivül menu, which is on offer to guests along with the Bier Markt's core menu, has a selection of seven new fondue menu items including delicious warm cheese, exotic hot broth and decadent warm chocolate fondues that promise to melt the dietary resolve of even the most die-hard New Year's resolution maker this year!

"As a culinary trailblazer, The Bier Markt is the first to offer a culinary festival of this kind in Toronto where a specific menu is solely dedicated to all things fondue. Our Fondue Feastivül menu offers dishes that are perfect for sharing with family and friends, as it promises to have something for everyone. We are anticipating that this year's Fondue Feastivül will be a huge hit with guests," said Robert Medal, General Manager of the Bier Markt.

Prices for the ME, YÜ, UND FONDÜE Feastivül menu range from $14 to $45 and each menu item features a recommended beer pairing to enhance guest's dining experience. The limited-time menu features three warm cheese fondue appetizers, two hot broth fondue entrees and two warm chocolate fondue desserts, including:

Cheese & Lager: Appenzeller, emmental and raclette cheeses combined with Stella Artois Lager and offered with asparagus, grape tomatoes, cornichons and fresh baguette for dipping.
Brie, Lobster & Pastis: French brie cheese with Canadian Atlantic Lobster, mini-crab cakes, soft pretzel and fresh baguette.
Fontina, Hazelnut & White Truffle: served with grape tomatoes, asparagus, rosemary biscotti and fresh baguette.
Fruits de Mer (Hot Broth): a Lobster and fennel broth served with fresh scallops, Canadian Atlantic lobster, gulf shrimp and heirloom vegetables.
Wild Game (Hot Broth): a cherry lambic and peppercorn-infused bison broth served with Alberta bison, Cereva venison, Nunavut caribou, heirloom vegetables and a selection of house compotes.
Mocha Hazelnut: served with banana, berries, macaroons and biscotti
Belgian Chocolate & Bailey's: served with banana, strawberries, profiteroles and biscotti.

"As a chef, I'm greatly inspired by how certain dishes have remained popular throughout the ages and I'm always looking for ways to add new twists to these old favourites. With our new Fondue Feastivül menu, I created fondue dishes with ingredients that are fresh and non-traditional including using a popular lager instead of wine in our warm cheese fondue to provide a more hearty and robust flavour to it or featuring wild game meats in our hot broth fondues instead of traditional beef to infuse it with a more intense flavour for guests to enjoy," said Chef Michael Cipollo, Executive Chef for the Bier Markt.

According to Chef Cipollo, traditional cheese fondue dates back to the 18th century and originated in Neuchatel in Switzerland. Throughout the ages, fondue has always been a hearty dish that has brought people together and sparked conversation. However, there are certain etiquette rules when eating fondue that have been passed on throughout the ages and are playfully "honoured" at the Bier Markt including:

No double dipping
Each person traditionally keeps their corners of the pot when dipping to show consideration and kinship – a Swiss custom that is still respected to this day!
If the bread, meat or fruit is lost in the fondue then it is tradition for that person to buy a round of drinks or has to kiss the person to their immediate right

The Bier Markt is currently offering the ME, YÜ, UND FONDÜE Feastivül at its two locations on the Esplanade and King Street West in Toronto.

About the Bier Markt
Established in 2001, the Bier Markt is a Belgian-style Brasserie located in downtown Toronto on the Esplanade and now on King Street West. Offering a selection of over 100 brands of beer from over 24 countries, the European Brassiere's culinary commitment is defined by season to ensure exceptional quality. Chic and dynamic modern design complements guests' visits, as do friendly and knowledgeable staff. The Bier Markt is a Prime Restaurants of Canada brand. For more information visit www.thebiermarkt.com.

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Margaret Batuszkin
Cowan & Company
416-462-8773 ext. 22 or
margaret@cowanandcompany.net