Melted Cheese on meat? Chocolate on fruit? Behold the joy of Melting Pot’s newest location!
By Kristi Trimmer, Guest Blogger, Foodies Like Us
I have always been a big fan of fondue… dipping yummy treats in cheese and chocolate – what’s not to love? I even hosted a fondue party for my 35th birthday last year, complete with three different types of cheese fondues and two pots of chocolaty gooey goodness. I absolutely loved having a party that was a little bit different form the norm.
I first heard The Melting Pot was opening in The Citadel was almost three years ago. It has been a long three years. One day I was sitting at Next Coffee when I saw some guys come in wearing Melting Pot t‑shirts. I was so excited that they had finally arrived in my favorite Glendale neighborhood.
In the last three weeks, I have been there three times! I’m not kidding! Let me just say, they have some amazing drinks in their bar. While there I have talked to the new owners, staff, and even their happy customers and other business owners in the community.
Did you know that The Melting Pot has fondue restaurants in all but 13 states and Arizona is lucky enough to have four? I will tell you, they might all look similar, but it is really the owners and amazing staff that truly put their fingerprints on each location.
I had the opportunity to sit down with Regional Manager Kelly Cooper and General Manager Gavin Otsuka the day after their opening night. They were happy to report that there were no snafus. I asked why they had chosen the Citadel in Glendale to open their new restaurant.
Cooper said that their customers have been asking for years for their fondue funness to be brought to the Westside. They have received an open-armed response from the community, plus they participate in Wednesday’s Twilight Farmer’s Market from 4:00-8:00 pm where you can taste their yummy chocolate covered strawberries.
Lauren Fisco, the Director of Next Coffee said,”We couldn’t be happier that they have joined us, they are a true asset to this unique vibrant community.”
I love to know quirky things about people ~ Melting Pot’s management is no exception! So I asked some rather odd questions of both Cooper and Otsuka. Sadly, neither have a foodie tattoo, but Cooper is a fan of Worst Cooks in America and Otsuka regularly tunes into Good Eats. Both consider themselves to be home foodies, but don’t necessarily plan their vacations around what restaurants they want to try. Shocking, I know.
Otsuka suggested a couple of custom drinks made by The Melting Pot, the Basil Strawberry Lemonade and the Yin Yang. The Basil Strawberry Lemonade ($9) is made with Smirnoff Vodka and is just perfect for a warm spring day. The Yin Yang ($10) is blended with Godiva White Chocolate, Stoli Vanilla Vodka, ice cream, then topped with chocolate shavings. Oh so good!
Yin Yang - yummy!
Yin Yang martini–I feel more balanced drinking it.
The Melting Pot had a huge Grand Opening where they invited their family, friends, members of the community, and local business owners. I had such a great time and learned so much about this unique restaurant. Manager, Tracy Harris, coordinated this event beautifully. The tables were decorated brilliantly and showcased the amazing experience that awaits you at The Melting Pot. I wanted to take those stunning floral arrangements home with me. But I refrained.
I have fallen in love with a new wine that I tried at their Grand Opening. Have you ever had wine over ice with a twist of lime? Neither had I! Let’s just say, New Age has rocked my vinophile world.
While trying their various wines, I chatted up quite a few of their guests.
Rose Griffin from Glendale said, “We have waited a long time for The Melting Pot to open. We have spent our anniversary for the last 11 years with them.” Peoria native Dave Jones told me, ”So glad to have a new place to head to for Happy Hour. I was excited to see burners at the bar, too. I might never leave!”
What makes the Glendale location one-of-a-kind it that it has romantic dining areas with curtains for those special nights when you want your privacy. There are plenty of regular tables for when you are having a Girl’s Night Out and want to be seen. The really large tables are my favorite, complete with two burners and perfect for my next dinner party!
A benefit of writing food articles is being able to taste and experience a restaurant’s unique character. A typical night at The Melting Pot takes over two hours. I never thought I would be able to eat for two straight hours, but I surprised even myself!
I tried the Big Night Out ~ definitely enough for two people. Let me just say right now, that I cannot live without cheese – I love it so. I happily started out the evening with the Cheddar Cheese Fondue that is made with aged, medium-sharp Cheddar and Emmenthaler Swiss cheeses, lager beer, garlic, and seasonings. If you try this at home, the trick is to lightly flour your cheese before you put it into your fondue pot.
Cheese. Melted. Not much is better.
Next came the very tasty Alpine Ridge Salad. This is a specialty salad that they don’t always have on the menu, but when they do, make sure you dive in. The Alpine Ridge Salad is a bed of mixed greens with oven-roasted tomatoes, Gruyère, Raclette and Fontina cheeses, plus hard-boiled eggs, mixed with honey-roasted almonds, then topped with a hearty shallot vinaigrette. Love that vinaigrette!
When you try the Big Night Out, there are three different versions you may try. The main difference is whether you have a lobster tail added. The Fondue Feast ($82/couple) does not have any lobster, and the Fondue Fusion ($89/couple) is served with one lobster tail.
I tried the Lobster Indulgence ($94/couple) which came with two lobster tails, Sauerbraten NY strip, Nueske’s Applewood Smoked Bratwurst, Hefeweizen marinated shrimp, roasted garlic crusted chicken, sun-dried tomato ravioli, and fresh vegetables.
Love lobster tails!
I wanted to sample the Coq au Vin ($7/pot) cooking style that included an abundance of fresh herbs, mushrooms, garlic, mixed in burgundy wine. I chose the Court Bouillon since it is a homemade, seasoned vegetable broth, and the most calorie-conscious choice. Yes, I know – calorie conscious with all that food? Well, I tried.
The Green Goddess dipping sauce is my hands-down favorite and is brought out with the meat dippers. This amazing sauce is made with sour cream, cream cheese, parsley, chives, and fresh onion. My other favorite, which was surprising to me, was the curry sauce. The curry flavor was actually quite mild in this yogurt sauce. Yum!
The lobster was definitely the winner of the night, followed very closely by the bratwurst. Try cooking a mushroom cap in the Court Bouillon then filling it with the Green Goddess sauce ~ you can thank me later.
Various kettles of joy.
What really should have been the first course, the Flaming Turtle arrived to make my night complete.
This treat was flambéed tableside with milk chocolate, caramel, and pecans. I dipped into that heavenly body of chocolate with Oreo covered marshmallows, fresh strawberries, pound cake, and creamy cheesecake. I would like some more please!
Throughout the entire meal, our server Nicole was spot on. That’s one thing about the Glendale location: Their staff is absolutely amazing. Cooper and Otsuka have done a fantastic job motivating a great crew. They have definitely instilled a high-level of customer service back into the dining experience. My gratitude is immense.
Valentine’s Day is upon us and I would be remiss if I didn’t mention how romantic and special an evening shared at The Melting Pot truly is. Whether you are rekindling an old flame or starting a new fire, The Melting Pot is the perfect choice to stir up some romance.
Their Valentine’s Day package includes:
- Four-course Gourmet Dinner
- The infamous Love Quiz
- Souvenir photo for each couple in a custom frame
- Gift Bags and Bonus Return Gift Certificate
- The restaurant is decorated to set an even more intimate mood
- $150 per couple plus tax and 20% gratuity for dinner on Saturday 2/13 and Sunday 2/14
- $130 per couple plus tax and 20% gratuity for dinner on Thursday 2/11 and Friday 2/12
Flowers, Balloons, and a Teddy Bear = Get out of Jail Free Card
Don’t forget that you can have fresh flowers delivered tableside! I saw a couple order a bottle of red wine and it was transferred into a wine snifter. Love that! Another couple was celebrating their anniversary – the man scored huge points with fresh flowers, a teddy bear holding the card, and a balloon bouquet. Whether you are in the doghouse or celebrating a special occasion, don’t forget to ask about all the little extras that really put a lasting touch on your fabulous night out.
Welcome to the neighborhood Melting Pot! I know where I will be for Happy Hour!
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