The Melting Pot

Wow, Thanksgiving is tomorrow. This year has roared by and Christmas is already on the horizon. So recently a lot of my co-workers have been talking about the Melting Pot (which recently opened near Brea) and how great the food tastes, etc. There is one in Irvine but I have never eaten there before. Yesterday, I took Kaini to the restaurant and here is my breakdown of the complete meal:


First Course: Cheese Fondue
We chose the fiesta cheese; they used a beer base and added cheese, garlic, and a lot of jalapenos; it was pretty good but heavy, the cheese was gooey. It came with vegetables, breads, and chips to dip. I think I had a little too much here.

Second Course: Salad
Several to choose from; K's Spinach Mushroom Salad was pretty good, my Athenian salad was OK. Nothing too special here.

Main Course: Fondue
We chose to use the Coq Au Vin base and chose the Fondue Fusion meal (includes; lobster, fillet mignon, ravioli, citrus pork, garlic herb chicken, etc...). The Coq Au Vin uses a burgundy wine base and adds herbs, mushrooms, garlic, etc. The main course came with as many dipping sauces as items to cook. The lobster was great; and the fillet mignon was great - midway through I was already stuffed (and started 'not' enjoying the food as much).

Dessert: Chocolate Fondue
There were a lot of different choices; we chose the Flaming Turtle which is milk chocolate and caramel flambayed with 151 (with random nuts). It was good but I was already too full before dessert to enjoy it much; the marshmallows were awesome though.

Final verdict:
Great dining experience, the food was mediocre, and it was just too pricey. I think the 'big meal' could easily feed 3 or even 4 (that would cut the cost significantly). I would go back but probably not as a couple (way too much food); or go back to just do appetizers and the dessert; not the complete meal.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone.