The Tastes of Travel
At the Melting Pot
By Tiffany Gardner

Looking for a way to perk-up your next celebration? 
Then consider the Melting Pot, a sensual foray into the excitement and fun found at a fondue party.

Though the first Melting Pot opened in 1975, outside of Orlando FL, there are now over 129 locations nationwide.  My Melting Pot Experience was at the restaurant in Brea, California. 

Originally confused by an array of enticing individual choices or their signature dish The Big Night Out, I opted for the latter. The Big Night Out is a four-course meal with several selections. Guests choose from a variety of cheeses,salads, main course cooking styles, and chocolates, all prepared table-side.

My first choice was the Fiesta Cheddar Fondue.  The freshly shredded
cheese is blended with a beer base, salsa and jalapenos. Before given my chips, bread, veggies and apples slices for dipping, I eagerly watch the cheese melt and blend before my eyes.

Next came a salad with mango's, candied cashews, and palm hearts mixed with lettuce, tomato's and lightly sprinkled with a citrus coconut dressing. I found this to be a light airy way of cleansing my palate before the main event.

The Big Night Out is a plethora of unprepared meats such as lobster, marinated chicken, shrimp, filet mignon and assorted vegetables.  Served with a choice of bubbling hot broths, I couldn't help but order both!  The coq au vin was rich with garlic, wine and mushrooms.  The Mojo is a Caribbean styled broth with a delicious blend of citrus juices. As if the flavors weren't fabulous enough, this assortment of meats and vegetables also came with a variety of condiments and eight different dipping sauces.

Convinced that I could not possibly eat another tasty morsel, my server reminded meof dessert, the Flaming Turtle.  A true chocolate lovers dream of decadent milk chocolate, carmel, mixed with pecans then set on fire.  The hot, chocolately 
dipping sauce is one of the most heavenly forms of excess to be found, at least for me.

As the wonderful food does consume the mind, the Melting Pot offers a nice selection of wines by the glass, as well as a extensive by-the-bottle list.

Arrive hungry and allow plenty of time to enjoy the table-side preparation process and the delicious meal itself.  Cheese fondue's start at $16 for two.  Individual entrees start at $20 per person and up.  The choices are plentiful, three course meals start at $62 per person.
 
Go casual during the day, but dress-up at night and turn your date or celebration into a magnificent event.

Traveling With Francoise welcomes Tiffany Gardner in our quest to discover the Tastes of Travel. Ms. Gardner may be reached at totiffany@msn.com .