Yes, the Melting Pot is expensive, but coupons are readily available and it's a good special occasion or "reward" destination. Most people probably shouldn't just decide to go on a random Friday night, but it's a perfectly lovely place to take your prom date or celebrate your mom's birthday. Go expecting to pay over $100 for your experience, and then enjoy it. As for the portions, promotions come up occasionally that include all you can eat entrees. Keep an eye out for one of those if you like large meals. As for my personal recommendation, get the "create your own" chocolate fondue for dessert made with dark chocolate and Disaronno. It's heavenly.
Perfect! A very different experience. I think I figured this out: In addition to the food you are paying for, you pay for the table time at this restaurant. You are NEVER rushed. For all the griping that the ones saying this is expensive are doing, try going there for the experience and quit calculating how much you could fondue at home for. If you think The Melting Pot is expensive, you should see the prices divorce lawyers charge!
1st I want to start off by saying The Melting Pot is awesome. 2nd if you can't afford to eat here then eat at Micky D's or eat at home. 3rd if you sign up for promotional emails you will receive notifications when they have specials. For example, I received one today for Towson, MD $25 for 3 courses and it's for 2 or 3 weeks. Awesome and I'm taking advantage of that.
-MEME
TMP is garbage. No ambience, overcrowded and just plain lousy. If you are in Chicago, check out Geja's on the northside of the city. It may be a bit pricey, but it's a great place with atmosphere and understated class. It's everything the TMP tries to be.
I've been to Geja's and The Melting Pot many times, and while I disagree with you about The Melting Pot, I do agree that Geja's has a much better (cozier) atmosphere. My fiance likes Melting Pot better though, so it seems I can never seem to drag her to Geja's anymore.
My husband and I had our first date at TMP in Nashville, we totally enjoyed it. Since then, we've celebrated several anniversaries at different MPs in Seattle and Boise. It's always been consistently decent and we've always been stuffed when we left. Yes it's a bit spendy, but the food (in my multiple experiences) is good quality and the service has always been entertaining (the servers cook the first course--cheese fondue--tableside) informative, prompt and not hover-y. TMP has an extensive wine list or moderate foreign and domestic wines, most of which are available by the glass as well as bottle. We've done romantic meals, the semi-enclosed booths, candlelit interior, and soft jazzy-bluesy music all worked in tandem with handling and cooking your food to make it a surprisingly sensusal experience. In addition we've eaten at TMP with other couples and attended an office Christmas party (app 30 people) and all were pleasing experiences.
As for all the b****ing about having to "cook their own food", I feel that is just ridiculous. Half the fun is picking out entree (a mixture of protein and vegetarian selections ranging from andouille sausage to lobster to duck ravoli), your cooking method (boiling oil, court bullion, coq au vin, or some kind of spicy jamaican sauce), then cooking to your desired level of done-ness, and finally using (or not using) one of 8 sauces (cracked black pepper/bleu cheese, curry, red wine reduction, etc). After trying all cooking styles, I recommend the coq au vin, a white wine, herb, and vegetable broth.
IMO, TMP just nudges the fine-dining line. Don't get me wrong, it isn't haute cuisine but it is delicious. I'm addicted to the classic cheese fondue made with emmentaler cheese, kirschwasser, and assorted spices and herbs. I've actually dreamed about it. It has a stinky cheese smell, but the taste of it dipped with a slice of granny smith apple is to die for. My husband and I have stopped in without reservations just to have the cheese fondue in the bar area. It's a fun way to spend 2-3 hours and if you get bored with the slow pace, you can always have miniature sword battles with the fondue forks.
I think the commenters are being pissy. Yes, it is a little expensive. Yes, you do have to cook some of you're own food(only the entree course), and yes it is somewhat time consuming if you do the entire meal there. If you're concerned about the price and/or preparing you're own food you probably should be eating at home in the first place. If you're in a hurry, go to a fast food joint. I've had several meals at TMP, most of them special occasions and always enjoyed my food, service and relaxed atmosphere. I've dropped more money at fancier restaurants and received less food and worse service. My suggestion is go for the cheese and the chocolate, and if you're still hungry get a big mac on your way home.
This is a special event splurge. It will set you back $130 a couple with tax and tip for the Big Night Out with wine and using the online coupon for the free chocolate fondue. Very good to excellent service. Great for an anniversary. Not the place to go if you don't feel like conversation. It will take you at least 2 1/2 hours for all four courses (take that in mind if you are planning dinner and a show) but you are cooking your meal a bite at a time. A great way to enjoy the place is to go after a show just for the chocolate fondue dessert.
seriously expensive for nothing special.. i know people usually write OMG SO EXPENIVEEE!!1 for like McDonalds, but this really is way too much $$ for nothing..
It wasn't what I would call "terrible", but for me and my husband, the bill was over 125 dollars!!!! I just don't think it's a good thing to have to PAY 125+ dollars to COOK YOUR OWN SUPPER!!!!!
One day in 1975, Mark Johnston, an enterprising waiter at a Maitland, Florida-based fondue restaurant, looked at the simmering pots of cheese on every table and saw gold. He and his two brothers bought the rights to the place, and set out to prove that fondue could have a life beyond the Alps. If you can overlook the (admittedly substantial) cheese factor and skip the many promotionally-planned meals that seem to revolve around boiling cauldrons of oil in which to dip raw meat, Melting Pot can be great fun, and a decidedly different way to spend an evening.
Don't miss: The classic cheese fondue, into which you may dip apple slices, bread, and/or roasted potatoes.
Comments
Fondue? Went out with the 60's
Yes, the Melting Pot is expensive, but coupons are readily available and it's a good special occasion or "reward" destination. Most people probably shouldn't just decide to go on a random Friday night, but it's a perfectly lovely place to take your prom date or celebrate your mom's birthday. Go expecting to pay over $100 for your experience, and then enjoy it. As for the portions, promotions come up occasionally that include all you can eat entrees. Keep an eye out for one of those if you like large meals. As for my personal recommendation, get the "create your own" chocolate fondue for dessert made with dark chocolate and Disaronno. It's heavenly.
MELTING POT SUCKS BALLZ
You have to cook your own food and you leave hungry and broke.
Not expensive, but Waaaaay over-riced for what you get.
i have friends who love it, but I hate it. I thought they would have failed 10 years ago.
Perfect! A very different experience. I think I figured this out: In addition to the food you are paying for, you pay for the table time at this restaurant. You are NEVER rushed. For all the griping that the ones saying this is expensive are doing, try going there for the experience and quit calculating how much you could fondue at home for. If you think The Melting Pot is expensive, you should see the prices divorce lawyers charge!
1st I want to start off by saying The Melting Pot is awesome. 2nd if you can't afford to eat here then eat at Micky D's or eat at home. 3rd if you sign up for promotional emails you will receive notifications when they have specials. For example, I received one today for Towson, MD $25 for 3 courses and it's for 2 or 3 weeks. Awesome and I'm taking advantage of that.
-MEME
TMP is garbage. No ambience, overcrowded and just plain lousy. If you are in Chicago, check out Geja's on the northside of the city. It may be a bit pricey, but it's a great place with atmosphere and understated class. It's everything the TMP tries to be.
I've been to Geja's and The Melting Pot many times, and while I disagree with you about The Melting Pot, I do agree that Geja's has a much better (cozier) atmosphere. My fiance likes Melting Pot better though, so it seems I can never seem to drag her to Geja's anymore.
My husband and I had our first date at TMP in Nashville, we totally enjoyed it. Since then, we've celebrated several anniversaries at different MPs in Seattle and Boise. It's always been consistently decent and we've always been stuffed when we left. Yes it's a bit spendy, but the food (in my multiple experiences) is good quality and the service has always been entertaining (the servers cook the first course--cheese fondue--tableside) informative, prompt and not hover-y. TMP has an extensive wine list or moderate foreign and domestic wines, most of which are available by the glass as well as bottle. We've done romantic meals, the semi-enclosed booths, candlelit interior, and soft jazzy-bluesy music all worked in tandem with handling and cooking your food to make it a surprisingly sensusal experience. In addition we've eaten at TMP with other couples and attended an office Christmas party (app 30 people) and all were pleasing experiences.
As for all the b****ing about having to "cook their own food", I feel that is just ridiculous. Half the fun is picking out entree (a mixture of protein and vegetarian selections ranging from andouille sausage to lobster to duck ravoli), your cooking method (boiling oil, court bullion, coq au vin, or some kind of spicy jamaican sauce), then cooking to your desired level of done-ness, and finally using (or not using) one of 8 sauces (cracked black pepper/bleu cheese, curry, red wine reduction, etc). After trying all cooking styles, I recommend the coq au vin, a white wine, herb, and vegetable broth.
IMO, TMP just nudges the fine-dining line. Don't get me wrong, it isn't haute cuisine but it is delicious. I'm addicted to the classic cheese fondue made with emmentaler cheese, kirschwasser, and assorted spices and herbs. I've actually dreamed about it. It has a stinky cheese smell, but the taste of it dipped with a slice of granny smith apple is to die for. My husband and I have stopped in without reservations just to have the cheese fondue in the bar area. It's a fun way to spend 2-3 hours and if you get bored with the slow pace, you can always have miniature sword battles with the fondue forks.
Went once. A friend paid for our meal.
Had to wait about 45 minutes after our reservation time, then the indifferent server rushed us through our meal because it was so late.
Completely overpriced for the mediocre meal we got.
That particular location has since closed.
First impressions mean a lot.
I think the commenters are being pissy. Yes, it is a little expensive. Yes, you do have to cook some of you're own food(only the entree course), and yes it is somewhat time consuming if you do the entire meal there. If you're concerned about the price and/or preparing you're own food you probably should be eating at home in the first place. If you're in a hurry, go to a fast food joint. I've had several meals at TMP, most of them special occasions and always enjoyed my food, service and relaxed atmosphere. I've dropped more money at fancier restaurants and received less food and worse service. My suggestion is go for the cheese and the chocolate, and if you're still hungry get a big mac on your way home.
This is a special event splurge. It will set you back $130 a couple with tax and tip for the Big Night Out with wine and using the online coupon for the free chocolate fondue. Very good to excellent service. Great for an anniversary. Not the place to go if you don't feel like conversation. It will take you at least 2 1/2 hours for all four courses (take that in mind if you are planning dinner and a show) but you are cooking your meal a bite at a time. A great way to enjoy the place is to go after a show just for the chocolate fondue dessert.
seriously expensive for nothing special.. i know people usually write OMG SO EXPENIVEEE!!1 for like McDonalds, but this really is way too much $$ for nothing..
Overpriced. WAY overpriced.
Overpriced. WAY overpriced.
It wasn't what I would call "terrible", but for me and my husband, the bill was over 125 dollars!!!! I just don't think it's a good thing to have to PAY 125+ dollars to COOK YOUR OWN SUPPER!!!!!
Traditional Swiss fondue is surprisingly easy to make, but it is one of TMT's best dishes.
Terrible and expensive!
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