Hip Kitty Jazz & Fondue

I really WANTED to like the Hip Kitty. I love the whole kitchy early 60's fondue thing. The patio is lovely and the decor inside is fun. Nice lighting and nice booths....that's ALL the nice things I can say.

First of all, we (a party of 4) were seated in a table so squished up against other people the waitress and I were bumping elbows all night and I couldn't even get up without disturbing at least 3 people in the process. And we had a reservation!

Next, the fondue. Or as we called it, the "fon-don't". While the taste was ok, (nothin to write home about) it was ridiculously expensive for what you were getting. NOT a meal, more like an appetizer that should've cost half as much.

The service was TERRIBLE. Our waitress brought a drink roughly 30 minutes after we'd order it. There was almost NO checking back with us to see if we needed anything else. Her attitude was like she was put out to have to serve us!

BUT THE WORST: My girlfriend had lipstick on her glass! Disgusting and unsanitary. AND she ordered a drink and there was a bug in it! Being of pretty good humor, she ordered another and THAT one had a bug in it too!

Hip Kitty should be avoided if you're looking to protect your health and your wallet!

Now if you've been to Claremont you may have noticed that its a quiet college town. Theres really no place to go out and have a drink. Well the Packing House in the newly build Village has brought it to a whole new level.
The Hip Kitty Jazz & Fondue lounge is exactly what it sounds like. Its open until 2:00am which is a miracle for Claremont.
When you walk in you find a U shaped bar. Theres seating all around it. The bar has heated pads in the bar so that you can munch on some chocolate and strawberries or some other great Fondue. You can get vegetables with hot broth and other great food. Theres specific dinners for two so you can enjoy with your sweetie.
The bar serves up a mean Martini with a a star shaped fruit (?) hanging on the outside. The drinks have cute names like: Pink Panther, Sour Puss, Smitten Kitten and these drinks can pack a punch.
Theres an outside area with places for Fondue as well as a fir pit in the center so you can sit outside and enjoy the atmosphere.
Wed, Thursday and Sunday from 7:00p to 11:00 and Friday and Saturday from 8 to Midnight you can listen to the smooth sounds of Jazz performed live.
This is a great little place to check out for something different. Nice for couples or groups of friends. The music and drinks and Fondue make it a good time.