The Melting Pot Restaurant

I have been to 2 locations - Washington, DC and Irvine, CA and on both occasions had a great experience. A friend recently told me that the Irvine location has a special where you can get a bottle of wine ($100) or less for half price with the purchase of your meal. As a (red) wine enthusiast, I definitely plan on checking this out very soon. The service was top notch and the flavor of the fondues we tried were incredible. I should also add that I went to the Irvine one on my birthday and there was a birthday balloon and card waiting for me at our table when we were seated. I thought that was a nice touch and showed that they care about their customer service.

The food seems like the portions are not that big but you will get full due to the slow paced eating. The service was decent but fondue is a great experience if you have never tried it before. Desserts are the best part so save room!

I loved this place. My husband took me for a late Mother's Day gift, and it was so awesome! They gave me a candle that they gave out on Mother's Day with a 15% coupon for next time (even though Mother's Day was 4 days before we went), and several workers from the restaurant came over and said Happy Mother's Day to me. I imagine they do the same for other events. Our food was AWESOME! Everything was really fresh, and for the price paid, you definitely get your money's worth. Make sure to save room for the dessert! It was so yummy, and a great variety of things to dip in the chocolate besides strawberries (my favorite was the flavored marshmellow). My husband and I talked the whole time we were there, almost 2 hours, and were so relaxed after we had finished. We will definitely go again, and have recommended it as a place to go for a special occasion to all of our friends (and some strangers).

The food was excellent and there seemed to be neverending. The veggies and stuff to dip chocolate in kept coming and coming. It is definitely a place that you would celebrate a special occassion.

The food at Melting Pot was good... but it's not the best food I have ever tried. The different type of fondues you can choose really do add flavor to your meal. But the price is a bit much, especially if you are having a nice romantic dinner for 2. I have heard that some people have gotten horrible service, but I was fortunate to have an overall attentative server. But I would suggest to have an appeitizer and dessert fondue for the first time to at least get an idea of how this place works and then see if it i worth paying the extra amount of having a main entree next time. Also, check out Melting Pot's website to find what special deals the restaurant has (each different per location).
Also for people who do not know what fondue is, it is a melted cheese/ broth/ melted chocolate that has been flavored and you dip and cook the foods in one of your fondues. So for example, for the entree, if you decide to order one, you would cook your meat in the flavored broth (you pick from 4 different styles) and then dip that cooked meat in one of many dipping sauces that the restaurant also provides for you. You should allow at least 1.5 hrs to 2 hrs for the entire 4 course meal. This meal takes time and is ment to be savored and enjoyes and not to just eat quickly and stuff everything in your mouth. Also, it is very easy to overeat... so just pace yourself and try to make room for dessert. And remember, you can cook the rest of your entree and take that home (to help save room for dessert).
So if you are looking for a nice pricey, chic restaurant witha twist on dinning, then The Melting Pot is one of the best places to go. (but remember, the price also includes the service and atmosphere... it would just be much cheaper if you did a fondue style dinner at home though)

cool place, trendy and fun atmosphere, nice decor, food was great and the whole experience is fun and really gets the conversation going, you have a tendency to eat way too much so be careful! Also, it's a bit pricey but definitley worth it.