The Melting Pot

08/14/09

Melted Cheese+ Melted Chocolate = YUM!

by txfoodie2009 at Citysearch

I love this restaurant. We always get the Big Night Out, and it just feels like a special occasion. You sit in private booths and cook/dip your own food. And we usually take a good 2-3 hours. The big night out has gone up in price -- last time we went it was $84/a couple (more if you add lobster, which I think it totally not worth it). But it includes a cheese fondue, 2 specialty salads, the main course (chunks of steak, pork, chicken, shrimp, and veggies that you deep fry or boil), and chocolate fondue. If you join the fondue club, they send you a coupon on your birthday and anniversary for a free chocolate fondue for 2 (worth $16), which they will just deduct from the cost of a Big Night Out. They also occasionally run mid-week specials. We've tried the broth, where you boil your main course, once. I'm not a fan. Although somewhat scary (and you smell like fried grease), I think the hot oil is the way to go. Then they bring you batters, and you can make stuffed mushrooms and tempura vegetables. It's so yummy. And I just don't think you can go wrong with any of the cheeses (though I'm partial to the swiss) or any of the chocolates. For each course, they will happily bring you more dippers (not the main entree, but any veggies, bread, fruit, dessert). This is even true for the brownies, marshmellows, etc. for the dessert. Ask for more dippers -- they don't seem to mind. This is my go-to restaurant for special occasions. I know there is technically better food out there. But I just always feel like a visit to the MeltingPot is a real celebration, and at a pretty good price. (But if you're trying to save money, I'd get just the cheese course and chocolate course and skip the main course -- and ask for extra dippers!) Try it (and don't get the broth), and I think you'll be glad you did.

• Pros: the food; private booths; free parking; good value
• Cons: service can be spotty

06/20/09

a little pricey but very yummy

by fetch123 at Citysearch

I went with a large group of people (7 people). When we arrived for our 7:00 reservation, we were promptly seated by the welcoming hostess. Our waiter quickly came and took our drink orders. When he returned with our drinks, he spoke on and on about the seemingly endless menu. Finally, we decided on a Spinach Artichoke and Cheddar Cheese fondue with a main course of the oil and the Med. style main course. The waiter brought out TONS of tiny sauces and the two entrees after we quickly inhaled the cheese, bread, fruit, and chips. We enjoyed the Spinach Artichoke cheese fondue the most. The entree, however, was somewhat of a disappointment. Portions were tiny, and cooking time was hard to keep track of for each meat. The waiter showed us how to make fried stuffed mushrooms which everyone in our party enjoyed. Too bad there was only one per person! The Med. broth was quite tasty, albeit slower than the oil. Everyone in our group was so hungry, we fought over the two pans of oil and broth! The chocolate fondue was the highlight of the meal, as we gobbled it down before it even heated up. Overall, the experience was nice and fun, but pricey and and a one time thing to try. We might go back, but really, its not for large groups! The family begs to go back! (Total bill: $400 for 7 people)

• Pros: very good
• Cons: expensive

05/06/09

What's the hype about?

by jqdinh at Citysearch

Decided to go here to see what all the hype is about. We get there and we're seating in the corner booth. It's pretty cozy and romantic or whatever with the dim lighting.

So 3 courses:

1) Cheese fondue - it came with carrots, celery, cauliflower, apples, bread, and chips. Honestly, I only liked the bread and the tortilla chips. The apples were okay, but the rest taste like doodoo with cheese IMO.

2) Shrimp ceviche/house salad

Shrimp ceviche was pretty good, but dang that thing was tiny. 3 little tortilla chips and 4 little shrimps. House salad was a normal salad, nothing to write home about.

3) So we ended up getting the Mojo broth which is supposed to be one of the better ones. I thought the broth was okay...but I was expecting more since it was $7 extra. You cook the food and you dip them in the sauces. The sauces really didn't do much for me and the food was, again, okay...

Total was a 100 bucks for the cheese fondue, two salads, and premium broth for main course, 2 margaritas ($5 ea.) and 2 Coronas ($2 ea.) after tax and mandatory 20%. There was a special on alcohol that day, so the damage could have been a lot worse!

Definitely not worth it, but I'm glad I got the experience "out of the way". If you enjoy cooking at the table, I would suggest Korean BBQ or Vietnamese "Lau". Of course you won't get the intimate setting, but I think they taste much better and is a lot cheaper.

• Pros: Good service, setting
• Cons: Price, food