Certain kinds of dining necessitate the invention of new utensils: Asian cooking begat chopsticks, clam chowder brought about the crazy straw, and now there are forks long enough to keep scalding cheese away from hands. Skinny dip with today's Groupon: for $15, you get $30 worth of gourmet fondue and drinks at The Mona Lisa Fondue Restaurant in Manitou Springs.

Recently named one of the best area wine bars by the Colorado Springs Independent, The Mona Lisa houses expert chefs skillfully simmering appetizer, entree, and chocolate fondues. The New World cheese fondue blends sharp cheddar and emmental with a crave-inducing beer base ($17), while gruyere and blue cheeses buoy a topping of feta, pine nuts, kalamata olives, and tiny models of the temple of Zeus ($20). Expertly cooked ocean dwellers comprise the seafood entree platter ($30), which allows patrons to skewer Rockport lobster tail, scallops, tiger shrimp, and yellowfin tuna before submerging them in one of three gourmet dipping sauces. A tasty sauce trio also accompanies the wild-game entree platter, stampeding across with Rocky Mountain buffalo, marinated high-plains quail, and wild-boar sausage ($30). Entree platters are served with fresh bread, imported cheese, rosemary-garlic potatoes, and a leafy salad. Steaming cauldrons of dark, milk, or white chocolate concoct sugary spells for delighted diners ($11/person), and frangelico, Bailey's, or other sweet liqueurs may be laced into dessert kettles on request ($12/person).

A wine list holding over 80 varietals prevents diners from resorting to incorrect food pairings or smuggling grapes in under their coats. Reservations, like using one's napkin effectively, are recommended but not required.