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| Cyrous Bagheri |
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| June 19, 2006 |
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DIP INTO SOMETHING DIFFERENT |
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| ����������� If you're looking to get away from the mainstream restaurant scene, The Melting Pot: A Fondue Restaurant is the place to go.� With its catchy slogan that truly states its style, here you can dip into something different.� The Melting Pot is not at all like your traditional restaurant.� From the moment you walk in the door you can smell the aroma of fine wines, spices, and fresh steaming broth.� Each table surrounds a hot plate burner with a high back booth tucked away in a dim lit secluded area.� Although the restaurant contains at least fifty dining booths or tables, its romantic feel and concierge-like service make you feel as if you are the only one being catered to.� |
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| ����������� This two hour dining experience requires about a weeks advance reservations to obtain a preferred time to dine.� As you arrive you will find ceiling to floor wine racks and a pleasant smile from the professionally dressed hostess.� Promptly after you arrive you'll be seated, and a sharp looking waiter dressed in all black with a tie will present himself and explain your fondue excursion.� The menu offers a small selection of kitchen prepared items; however the real reason for going is the four-course Big Night Out to be shared with your sweetie.� The Big Night Out begins with your choice of four different cheese fondues; my favorite is the Fiesta.� This is a blend of cheeses, salsa, garlic, jalapenos, and beer.� No matter what cheese you choose, a wide variety of dippers are included.� Such as cauliflower, carrots, green apples, assorted bread cubes, and chips.�� Round two is your choice of three salads; mushroom salad, California salad, and chef's salad.� I recommend the chef's salad with crisp greens, Roma tomatoes, cucumbers, sliced eggs, smoked ham, and Swiss cheese, topped with their very own sweet and tangy house dressing.� The salad cannot be complete without their signature garlic and wine seasoning sprinkled atop refreshed salad.� Before ordering your main dish you must choose a flavorful cooking style.� Each has its own unique taste, but the most impressive is the Coq au Vin fondue.� Its base includes hardy burgundy wine, fresh herbs and spices, garlic, and mushrooms.� Now to choose your meats, you have the choice of filet mignon, teriyaki marinated sirloin, boneless breast of chicken, and pot stickers (yes you really get all that meat) or lobster tails, black tiger shrimp, teriyaki marinated sirloin, and filet mignon.� Your meat selection will arrive chopped in bite sized portions.� Fondue skewers are provided to cook your meat in your Coq au Vin broth.� Your waiter will advise a cooking time for each meat and you may begin cooking.� In addition to the meats each main course includes squash, broccoli, mushrooms, potatoes, and a variety of homemade sauces (you must ask for extra Teriyaki sauce as you will run out quickly).� |
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| ����������� As if you are not already stuffed, don?t forget your course number four.� In this course you will receive brownie bites, pound cake squares, cheese cake, bananas, strawberries, and pineapple.� Nine different chocolate fondues await your request.� Each one has its own special mix of flavors; however, chocolate s?mores ranks at the top of my list.� In addition to the plate full of cakes and fruit, s'mores fondue also include marshmallows and graham crackers.� This in itself is an experience.� After your waiter has mixed up your chocolate fondue, he then lights it on fire, and for a brief fifteen seconds you can toast your marshmallow before setting it atop a graham cracker and dribbling hot chocolate all over the top.� Just thinking about it makes my mouth water.� |
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����������� This unique dinning experience is not for every day use, as it is quite expensive.� The Big Night Out and two Yin & Yang martinis will run you a little over $100 per couple.� The Melting Pot is nestled in Hilltop Shopping Center in Virginia Beach and is opened nightly after 4 p.m.� Although this is not a family oriented restaurant; it is surely to impress your employees, coworkers, or significant other.� The Melting Pot can accommodate a party up to twenty five, but specializes in tables for two.� Anyone who has ever tried it has never complained and had many repeat visits when their budgets allow.�� |
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Works Cited |
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| "The Melting Pot: Home Page." 2003. The Melting Pot: A Fondue Restaurant. 20 June 2006 <http://www.meltingpot.com/> |
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