Editorial
Front Page - Friday, June 11, 2010
River City Roundabout
Heart melting dining experience
Erica Tuggle
The Melting Pot approaches dining-out as a one of a kind experience. Their unique and diverse menu, filled with delicious items, allows for complete dining satisfaction and high customer return rate.
- Erica Tuggle
Many places claim to have the ultimate in dining experiences, but I’ve come to find that they usually do not reach the “experience” level. The true sought after dining experience is something that involves all the senses from beautiful sights, new or enchanting smells, pleasant sounds, a good feel about the place and of course the passing taste test.
Melting Pot of Chattanooga goes above and beyond in providing this experience. They hosted a beautiful night, and especially since I was dining alone they made me feel comfortable and welcomed. Everything about the Melting Pot, from driving past the fountains and up to the architecture of the outside of the building says “this is luxury dining.”
I attended the monthly “Ladies Night Out” event at the Melting Pot. This one was called the “Cocktail Couture,” set to coincide with the midnight release of Sex in the City 2. Over 100 women showed up that night to enjoy fondue brought by male servers in black bowler hats, and to pick up the free movie themed gear.
Also offered were special alcoholic beverages of the SKYY Vodka brand sponsor of the event. The drinks had fun names like Park Ave. Princess, Glamour Gal, Blonde Ambition, Red Over Heels, and $3 wine was served.
Then there was my server Mark. I can honestly say his presentation the night I visited the Melting Pot, puts him in the top five servers I have ever had. While all the servers I observed seemed to be doing a great job of making the patrons time at the Melting Pot a true treat, Mark was pulling out all the stops to make me feel appreciated.
He quoted John Tesh facts to me, as he explained all the ingredients that were going into my fondue and then mixed them all together. He checked on the fondue temperature and me frequently. He made it personal, and that is one of the most important parts of the dining experience. But enough gushing about my server, we should really give credit to the other components as well: like the food.
The Ladies Night Out deal included a cheese fondue, salad and chocolate fondue. If that seems on the light side, do not be fooled. There was so much food that I couldn’t have possibly tried the petite entrees they offered of filet mignon, chicken and other delectable meats.
The cheese fondues come in many different varieties, but I chose the spinach artichoke blend which was a mixture of Fontina and Butterkase cheeses. Mark whipped it up in front of me from all fresh ingredients. It was served with soft bread cubes, veggies and Granny Smith apples. Although, I was wary of dipping the apples into my succulent smelling cheese it turned out to be a surprising treat as they went together perfectly. The best combination was the celery and cheese.
As I finished the cheese fondue course, and listened to the smooth jazz being played over the speakers, I realized I could hear the burner heating the fondue up. It was a calm and relaxing atmosphere where I felt I could take my time and eat everything at my leisure.
For the salad course, I chose the Caesar salad. Not all salads are created equal, I learned as this one burst with flavor from the pine nuts and Parmesan cheese mixed in.
For the last course, it was more decisions and I chose a Flaming Turtle Chocolate fondue with caramel and pecans. Mark explained to me that the fire’s purpose is to cook the alcohol out of the rum of the fondue mix and leave the sweet rum sugar behind. This was served with graham cracker and Oreo covered marshmallows, strawberries, crispy treat squares, cheesecake and banana slices. By this point, I was so full I had to ask Mark to box most of the desert up.
When he brought me my check he gave me a survey to fill out online to win free fondue for a year and a free chocolate fondue for joining their “Club Fondue” program that provides updates on all the Melting Pot Specials.
Such specials include their $16 Stimulus Tuesday package that includes their cheese, salad and chocolate fondue course and their Early Bird Special that brings together all these items and a petite entrée for $26.
This restaurant strikes me as the perfect place for first dates, friendly gatherings, tourist stops and business meetings, although, I felt comfortable as a single diner as well. Also, reservations are probably not a bad idea.
The Melting Pot of Chatta-nooga has truly taken dining to a new level, and has earned themselves a spot on my list of return visit restaurants.
Email Erica Tuggle at reporter@hamiltoncountyherald.com.
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