No one loves to go out to eat more than me, yet I’m easily bored and often find myself looking for a little side of fun with my meal. Now I could have taken some friends with me on a t0ur through Medieval Times but I didn’t want to sully our taste buds with a tableside skirmish. Instead, we decided to just fondue it at The Melting Pot. The atmosphere is fun and the entire evening from the wine list to dipping to mastering the “search and rescue spoon” is as interactive as my nephew’s Wii game system.
It’s easy to let loose and enjoy your company at the private tables, each equipped with range tops which enabled us to become completely engrossed in the entire event. Upon seating we immediately got lost in all of the wonderful drink options available to us. One of the signature drinks my partner just couldn’t put down was the “Love Martini” ($8.00), a seductive blend of Malibu coconut rum, Peach Schnapps, cranberry juice and strawberry slices. With our attention now fully on the menu we chose to take advantage of the aptly named “Big Night Out” ($90/per couple) which is a four course tour de force that was centered around morsels of lobster, filet mignon, citrus pork tenderloin and a bottomless portion of fresh vegetables. There was so much good food that my arm actually got tired from dipping! Seriously though, each course was better than the one before it.
Eventually and quite blissfully we made our way to the finish line which was paved with fresh strawberries, bananas, cheesecake, marshmallows and brownies just ripe for a plunge into two warm pots of melted dark and white chocolate! We were having so much fun that I almost didn’t realize that my partner grabbed the last marshmallow. But it was nothing that our server couldn’t handle with a quick refresh of our favorite dipables.
General Manager Ron Meola -
believes that each guest should be treated to a one of a kind dining experience. Despite the uniqueness of The Melting Pot’s offerings Meola believes the wine list is what truly makes his restaurant stand out.
S&T
– What is so special about your wine list?
Our wine list has over 250 different wines from around the world. We have been recipients of the Wine Spectator “Award of Excellence” for three years. This award is given to only 4,000 restaurants around the world.
What wine goes best with your Fondue Fusion …it has meat, poultry and seafood?
The old rules of white wine with seafood and red with beef are no longer followed. We like to recommend wines that guests are comfortable with. “Dry, bold or mellow?” We let the customer decide what they like best. Then we make suggestions on which wines on our list fall into their desires.
Why is the Melting pot so much fun? Is it the drinks?
The whole concept behind fondue is a communal experience. Our average guest spends 1 ½ to 2 hours in the restaurant. This is unlike many restaurants that look to have guests out in about an hour. Our dining experience is designed to allow guests to have conversations through out the meal and our booths are high backed in design to give the sense of private dining.
The Melting Pot’s most popular:
Salad-
California
field greens, tomatoes, gorgonzola cheese and walnuts in a black walnut raspberry dressing
Entrée Cooking Style -
Coq au Vin a vegetable broth with burgundy wine, mushrooms, scallions, garlic and black pepper.
Dessert-
Flaming Turtle - Milk chocolate and caramel flambéed tableside and topped with pecans
Wine -
Tara Bella Cabernet Sauvignon from Sonoma. The Southlake Melting Pot is actually mentioned on the back label of the 2003 vintage.
Style & Taste Recommends:
Appetizer – Cheddar Cheese Fondue – aged medium sharp cheddar, emmenthaler & Swiss with lager beer and seasonings.
Salad-
Athenian Salad – mixed greens with feta cheese, kalamata olives, roasted red peppers, chic peas
Entrée- Fondue Fusion – lobster tail, filet medallions, citrus pork tenderloin, sirloin, shrimp and wild mushroom ravioli – with the Mojo (Carribbean Cooking Style)
Dessert- Disaronno® Meltdown – white chocolate blended with Disaronno Amaretto®
Wine -
Louis Martini "Lot 1" - Cabernet Sauvignon, NapaCA.