Big Night Out At The Melting Pot

Friday, November 06, 2009 - by Janet Wilson

The Melting Pot has opened at 2553 Life Style Way off Shallowford Road next to hhgregg. We attended the pre-opening party, and then went back a few days later for an actual meal.
The pre-opening gave us the opportunity to sample many of the different fondues (I really enjoyed the Fiesta) so when we went back we had a better grasp of what we might want to order.

If you know the menu, you can order each course separately, but we went with the Melting Pot Experience – Big Night Out – a four-course fondue dinner for two that is pre-set by the restaurant with you making the final selection from choices offered.

Our first course was the Big Night Out showcase, an Alpine cheese fondue, accompanied by a mix of bread cubes, apple slices, small gherkins, meats, and veggies. The cheese was delicious and when it was time for the salad, I hated to see the remaining cheese taken away, but the salad was fresh, crisp and delicious.
Course #3 was the entrée and we chose the Lobster. All the entrees for the evening sounded delicious, but since we both wanted lobster, the $97 dinner was the way to go. It also included shrimp, sauerbraten, chicken and steak, along with veggies.

For our style of cooking, we selected Fondue Bourguignonne – “European style of cooking in cholesterol-free canola oil” – with two separate batters. Basically I would call this version “frying”. The meats were extremely tender and we both felt they had a great taste.

Next time I would probably try another cooking style (but the others are $6 more). This course is served with a multitude of sauces. My favorite was a type of horseradish sauce and the green goddess.

The last course was dessert. So many to choose from! Did we want Yin and Yang (half dark chocolate and half white chocolate), Flaming Turtle (milk chocolate, caramel and chopped pecans), or maybe Bananas Foster (white chocolate with bananas, brown sugar and cinnamon). I, however, cannot pass up peanut butter, so I selected The Original (milk chocolate with crunchy peanut butter). This course is served with fresh strawberries, bananas, cheesecake, marshmallows, Rice Krispies treats, pound cake and brownies.

Can you feel the pounds adding up now? But – it was so decadent! I would go back if only for the dessert course.

There are quite a few entrée selections including the Seafood Trio (shrimp, scallops and cedar plank salmon) - $20; the French Quarter (filet mignon, chicken, and shrimp seasoned with Cajun spices and served with Andouille sausage) - $22; and a Vegetarian meal ($18).

The Melting Pot is a place that is as much about the experience as it is about the food. I would definitely go back; however, Wayne feels it is too pricey for the amount of food you get. I loved it – the food, as well as the experience.

Hours for The Melting Pot are Monday through Wednesday from 4:30 until 10:30 p.m.; Thursday through Saturday, 4 until 11 p.m.; and Sunday, 4 until 10:30 p.m.

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cdojanet@chattanoogadineout.com


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