The Melting Pot restaurant has helped rekindle America's interest in fondue cooking. For a first-hand look at why, just go to any of their more than 130 establishments spread across 35 states. The food variety and the service are both superior, the atmosphere is quite nice, and although the prices are above average, you're paying for a unique cooking and dining experience.
== History ==
The first Melting Pot restaurant opened in April of 1975 in Maitland, Florida, with a menu of only three items: Swiss cheese, beef, and chocolate. Waiter Mark Johnston, with help from his two brothers and permission from the original owner, expanded the fondue concept and opened locations in Tallahassee and Tampa. Mark, Mike, and Bob Johnston then decided to build on the growing success of the restaurants in 1985, when they bought all the rights and created a franchise called The Melting Pot Restaurants, Inc. The chain continues to flourish.
== Atmosphere ==
When you walk in, you'll notice the darkened waiting area, sometimes showcasing part of their wine collection behind glass. The warmth and aroma from diners' cooking pots gives a hint of the meal to come. If you have a reservation (recommended, especially on weekends and holidays), you'll be seated right away. If you do not have a reservation, the hosts will make every attempt to get you a table immediately.
Your semi-private area allows seating for up to four average-sized people, and the subdued atmosphere works well for a large party's celebration, or a couple's romantic dinner. Good conversation is easy to come by here.
One or two heating units will be in the middle of the table, much like traditional stovetop burners. Once your server turns this unit on, it will get quite hot, so keep all extremities away. (This fact alone might make you think twice before bringing rambunctious youngsters to the restaurant.) Your server will also tell you how fondue works, if you've never been there.
== The Meal ==
Each Melting Pot menu features a four-course meal consisting of a cheese fondue appetizer, a salad, a meat/veggie fondue entree, and a chocolate fondue dessert. Each course offers a wide variety of cooking and dipping options, which your server will be happy to explain to you. All ingredients are listed for each menu selection.
Any particular Melting Pot may not provide every option described here, but will still offer a great variety. To see all the spices, ingredients and food items, go online (http://www.meltingpot.com/) for your local restaurant's full menu.
Drinks
Different specialty drinks feature such taste sensations as Godiva White Chocolate liqueur, Smirnoff Strawberry Twist vodka, Malibu rum, blackberries, or fresh lime. The Melting Pot can also easily boast a vast collection of high-quality wines, including Pinot Grigio, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Merlot, Zinfandel, and Cabernet Sauvignon from the wineries of Italy, Germany, New Zealand, and California, among others.
Cheese
You can choose from Cheddar, Traditional Swiss, Fiesta, Spinach Artichoke, the Wisconsin Trio, or a seasonal cheese. My favorites: The hardy Wisconsin Trio, which includes Fontina, Butterkase, and Buttermilk Blue cheeses, plus white wine, scallions, and sherry, or the more European Traditional Swiss, with two different Swiss cheeses, plus white wine, nutmeg, garlic, lemon, and Kirschwasser cherry brandy.
The servers give you three small bowls containing dipping items: Chunks of Granny Smith apples, pieces of various types of bread, and sparsely chopped veggies.
Salad
This course is self-explanatory. Salads include Caesar, California, House, Spinach Mushroom, and a seasonal salad. I recommend a basic Caesar Salad (romaine lettuce, Parmesan cheese, croutons, sweet pine nuts, and Caesar dressing) to help cleanse your palate.
Entree
You have four different cooking styles to choose from, each with its own tasty blend: Court Bouillon (seasoned veggie broth), Coq au Vin (with burgundy wine), Bourguignonne (European style), and Mojo (Caribbean citrus). Your server will mix the ingredients into the steaming pot at your table, providing a bit of visual culinary entertainment before the entree.
The menu features entrees for individuals, couples, and larger parties. These include items like boneless chicken breast, filet mignon, New York strip steak, teriyaki-marinated sirloin, lobster tails, shrimp, scallops, Pot Stickers (egg roll style dumplings), Gorgonzola ravioli, tofu, and plenty of fresh vegetables, such as mushrooms, broccoli, and potatoes.
The combinations are too numerous to list here, but with names like The French Quarter, Seafood Trio, Pacific Rim, and The Vegetarian, you can't go wrong. Also, substitutions are allowed if, for instance, you are a carnivorous landlubber who shuns all seafood, or perhaps a strict vegetarian.
Also, watch for the Big Night Out, a special selection with fixed cheese and salad courses, but three main meal choices, each featuring a large collection of meat, vegetables, and ravioli. This is recommended for parties of four or more, but can also be ordered as an intimate dinner for two.
Dipping sauces are an essential part of the Melting Pot experience. Your server will let you know which sauces go best with your chosen entree items. Sauce options may include teriyaki, curry, ginger plum, spicy cocktail, mango BBQ, port Gorgonzola, and my favorite, a delicious concoction called Green Goddess: Cream cheese, sour cream, parsley, and chives.
Dessert
Ah, chocolate! For those with a voracious sweet tooth, this is the best part of the meal, so save plenty of room. Again, there are numerous mixtures that include dark, milk, or white chocolate, plus extra flavors and textures from items such as nuts, cookies, peanut butter, or graham crackers.
Names like Disaronno Meltdown and Flaming Turtle are offered on the dessert menu, and most will be served with bananas, strawberries, marshmallows, Rice Krispy Treats, a few small pieces of brownie and pound cake, and a thin slice of cheesecake. You can also create your own mouth-watering combination.
After-Dinner Drinks
In addition to regular coffee and espresso, Melting Pot offers a heaping helping of coffee-based beverages, including Swiss Coffee (with Peppermint Schapps), Cafe Monique (with Butterscotch Schnapps and Bailey's Irish Cream), Captain's Coffee (with Banana liqueur and Captain Morgan's spiced rum), and Hot Apple Jewel (with Apple Pucker and caramel). Various ports, cognacs, cordials, and additional dessert wines make up even more after-dinner options.
== Service ==
Every server is trained to be expeditious, but also apparently chosen for friendliness. They are conversational, but not overly so, and provide quick delivery, good explanations, and plenty of patience when asking for your meal choices. If you're not ready, they will give you as much time as you need.
You get an explanation of anything on the menu, plus what sauces go best with certain dishes, the cooking times of various food items, and perhaps a personal recommendation. It's a lot to remember, especially on your fist visit, but any server will be happy to repeat any information you might have missed - all you have to do is ask.
Maybe one server out of ten will breeze through an explanation a bit fast, so don't be afraid to ask him or her to slow down a bit. That will most likely be your only service "hiccup."
== Price ==
Parties of five or more will get an automatic 18% gratuity. Also, if you're concerned about spending too much in one evening, you don't have to order a whole meal. You can certainly opt for just an appetizer, entree, or dessert. Remember, not only are you paying for the food, but also the ambiance, the service, and the unique social experience of judiciously sharing a cooking pot (or pots) with your family, mate, co-workers, or friends. Dip away!