The Melting Pot is unlike any other restaurant around. People either love it or hate it, there doesn't seem to be much middle ground. Personally I love it and have since it opened. Currently they have a "SKINNY DIP" menu that you can order from for $19.99 that offers 3 salad and entrees to choose from and a dark chocolate for dessert served with all fruit. They even have 3 cocktails for $5.00. Can't say you really missed anything with this menu, NOT! You have to order the cheese fondue extra, no big deal and still a good savings. Everything was fresh, attention to detail was present and service was excellent, as was the event. When you go to the Melting Pot, it isn't just dinner, it is an interactive event that always makes you smile. Boy, I have so many memories here! And I will continue to make memories at this location. A few observations. The good: they were full at 7PM on a Sunday night. Our server was excellent and always had a smile and all his bases covered. The bad: it now costs $5.95 to be unhealthy and prepare your food in oil. The ugly: come on owners, don't you think it's time to do a few upgrades?. The carpet is indoor/outdoor and I honestly believe the restroom has not been updated, except for paint and essentials since they opened. Looking at the restroom, literally makes me afraid to see the kitchen. I would rather think of the kitchen, with my event philosophy and not the possability, it could be as ancient as the restrooms. Owners wise up, people will always have to wash their hands, make it as inviting as your cozy booths, don't have them leave with their last memory being of a tired, old bathroom. Okay there you have it, I love the Melting Pot and wish/want to give it 5*'s, but they gotta take care of some business and do some sprucing, not even a manor expense. What's a girl to do? A bathroom is a very important part of a restaurant and it did NOT enhance my experience.
(4)
Art C.
I've only been to the melting pot once and it was for my daughter's birthday. I told the staff and when we arrived my daughter was surprised by a balloon, a small teddy bear, and a box of chocolate. They also offered to take a picture for us to put in a picture frame. Their service was amazing. Our waiter was really polite and was fun to talk to. However, the food was really slow. But it was all worth the wait because it was amazing. What they do is they give us plates of raw meat. The customers then put the pieces of raw meat on these metal sticks. The sticks are color coded so there won't be an awkward situation where somebody can't find their orange duck after 5 minutes of cooking. One tip for people that plan on going in the future: don't put multiple pieces of meat on the stick, it'll make it cook slower. Better yet, if you don't mind fishing for pieces of meat with a big spoon, dump all of the meat in the pot. Overall, melting pot is good, but the prices is a bit too much to be considered as a place to go to often.
(4)
Joe C.
Not all that! The server was very good and walked us through which made it all easier. The food itself was just not all that...
(2)
David D.
Awesome Great What's not to like!!!!:) Very good service, happy and great mood setters. My wife and I had a very enjoyable and romantic experience!!!
(5)
Lisa W.
The Melting Pot is a great special occasion spot for celebrating and fondue. We had a special mother/daughter dinner for a great report card. Jackie was our waitress and went above and beyond. She told us she had been there about a month, so took extra time and care of finding out info since we have some food allergies. The manager, Chris, came by to see how our meal and experience there was. All was great. We started with the spinach artichoke cheese dip, which was great. It came with 3 types of bread, veggie dippers, Apple dippers and tortilla chips. Then, I had the house salad with the tangy mustard dressing and loved it. For dinner, we shared shrimp and teriyaki steak and loved it. The meal came with mushrooms, broccoli and potatoes. The sauces... They've added a few new ones, but my favorites are some of the oldies... Teriyaki, cocktail, curry and green goddess. We tried the dark chocolate s'mores dessert and it was great. The dippers for that have changed and there are now a few options. We went with the one with pineapple, banana, blondies, brownies, pound cake and Rice Krispie treats. All in all, meal was great. Pricey, but nice and fun.
(5)
J B.
My colleagues and I enjoyed a terrific meal at The Melting Pot earlier this week. I don't get up there very often, but it's always a special treat to have fondue. I like how the restaurant continues to change things up with different sauces, meat choices and other menu options. A lot has changed since I was there the last time and I was really happy to see some new additions. The classics are still there (hello Alpine cheese) but new cooking styles like the Japanese-inspired Miso were great too and gave a new twist to our meal. It was nice to see some new chocolate fondue options as well, though I don't think it gets any better than the original. The service was prompt and friendly. Our server anticipated our needs well and was always available for refills or to answer questions. Overall, I would definitely recommend The Melting Pot for a fun night out with friends, family or coworkers. The leisurely pace of the meal allows you to have some great conversations without feeling rushed. if you haven't been out for fondue in awhile, I encourage you to get back out there and try it
(5)
Kathryn E.
Service was very good. Very expensive, skimpy portions of awful food. I Complained to the manager and his response was like "whatever." I'd never go back.
(1)
Diana A.
This place is a great date night. While it is pricey it's worth the experience. The servers have great knowledge about their menu, which enhances the experience. The menu itself has so many options for everyone's taste buds! Each time I go I try something new. My boyfriend and I do the cheese first, then meats, followed by the chocolate like most do. In all reality I personally do not enjoy the meat because if I wanted to cook my own meat I'd do it at home. But I know it's part of the experience. Next time I'll just stick to the cheese and chocolate!
(5)
Tin N.
We had a reservation at 715 pm for our 14 years anniversary and stills waiting outside with my wife and 2 young daughters passing 810... not sure the reservation option purpose
(1)
Cori W.
I can't say enough good things about the Melting Pot. This is one of my FAVORITE places in the world! AHHHH, just writing about it makes me hungry. To really enjoy the experience you need to get all three courses....you can get the salad or you can do without, it's not necessary. I will say though you should only take those that enjoy experiences, I know some that feel that it's silly to pay so much to cook their own food, so this restaurant is not for everyone. Anywho, the cheeses are amaze! I've had some with beer and wine. I've also had the Mexican which is phenomenal! They come with bread and veggies and it's bliss....really it is. I've had the four course with lobster and honestly I think it's worth it. Unless they have another special going on that's a better deal get it. Ugh it's soooo good! This comes with veggies and some fantastic sauces including this amazing curry sauce. Finally you're given the chocolate. You're gonna like whatever chocolate you get, so don't fret. But we've had the flaming turtle, the reg. milk chocolate, and the smores. This comes with pound cake, strawberries, bananas, and other things, but those three are the best!
(5)
Samantha J.
Let me start off by saying that the cheese fondue alone makes the whole trip worth it. Guests can choose how many courses they would like, though the 4 course is the most popular. This time we tried the Cheddar fondue and it was spectacular. Previously, we had the spinach and artichoke fondue and it was good but had lots of artichoke in the mixture so if you want more cheese I suggest staying away from this one. For salad, they still had their special apple orchard salad which was awesome - I'm a sucker for any salad with candied pecans, apples, and goat cheese! Most of the time I will get the classic for an entree which includes chicken, teriyaki tips, sirloin, shrimp, and bbq pork. They offer plenty of other choices like more seafood, more red meat, all vegetarian, etc. I personally enjoy the experience of cooking your own food because it gives you the chance to spend more time with your dinner mates and is s fun activity for a group of people or family to do! The chocolate was so good - we got the original which is milk chocolate with crunchy peanut butter swirl - talk about heaven! Others at our table got the raspberry dark chocolate fondue and that was just as good in its own way. Overall, it a great experience with great food for a night out.
(4)
Stacey S.
Jackie is a great server. My boyfriend and I had her once and loved her! She always has good recommendations on food and drinks. So we request her every time we visit this location now. Shes even invited us to her wedding! Now that's a good business relationship there. We will keep coming back to see her especially, and of course for the food.
(5)
Arianne K.
Went to this location Sunday night with my boyfriend for the first time. We tried the Fondue 101 special they are currently having, which includes the cheese and dessert fondue. We got the spinach and artichoke cheese fondue and the s'mores dessert fondue, which our server, Jordan, recommended we try with Oreo pieces. Everything was delicious. My boyfriend and I had a table that was partially enclosed and private, and the overall atmosphere of the restaurant made for a perfect evening. Jordan was an excellent server! I had a great night and will definitely be returning!!
(5)
Brandon Q.
I've eaten at Melting pot more times than I can count. I honestly love this place. The cheese fondue and the chocolate fondue are amazing, but this recent trip gave me some doubts about this franchise. Everything was going great until the end of our cheese fondue when my girlfriend found something strange on her celery. We couldn't tell if it was rodent feces or a bug, either way it looked disgusting. We informed the waitress and she said it must have been a rotten piece (I suppose this "better" than the other two guesses). Here is where it gets interesting. The manager eventually makes his way over to address the issue and essentially blames it on their organic produce. He hadn't seen the celery, but I had taken a picture on my phone so I made sure he knew how disgusting it was. He goes on to explain that bugs sometimes make their way into the produce because it's organic. After more cheesy jokes, he leaves without offering to replace or reduce the price. Comping anything, even a fountain drink, would have been better than leaving the table with nothing but excuses, but that's what happened. With the dim lighting and the nature of fondue dining, there's no telling how many bugs (or whatever that was) we have eaten or stirred around in our cooking pot. I won't be visiting this melting pot again, but if you're in to bugs and poor management, check it out!
Even though we were disappointed with our most recent experience, we are very grateful to the owners for doing their best to rectify the situation. The least we can do is give the place another try!
(3)
Rachel H.
I just love the Melting Pot. The service is always great, the food never disappoints, and it is just a hole in one for me, every single time. I don't eat meat and eat dairy maybe 5% of the time but I give up all reservations about cheese upon stepping in the door at Melting Pot. If I'm going to eat cheese, I'm going to eat good cheese. And Melting Pot is the home of some good cheese. We always go for a four course meal (you should too) and start with whatever cheese pairing incorporates beer and garlic. The cheese course comes with french bread and a honey wheat bread. Also accompanying the cheese course are apples and veggies, but let's get serious, cheese + bread = bliss. The salads that are served as part of the four course meal are good and constantly changing as well. Take a tip from me and cover your salad with the seasoning they bring out and get the house dressing on whatever salad you choose. I LOVED the Good Earth Vegetarian Main Course, it was my first time visiting and not eating meat and I thought it was fantastic. We always cook our meals with some kind of broth (there are usually three different variations). We've never ordered the oil option but I'll rest easy assuming it's decadent. The veggie platter came with four pieces of marinated tofu (I'm not a tofu girl but this was pretty good), artichoke hearts, portabellos, different vegetables, and some 4 kinds of filled pasta. For our chocolate fondue to end our meal of absolute paradise, we got some pot of heavenly bounty that included marshmellow cream, liquor, a flame, milk chocolate, oreos, and rice crispie treats. You know, also known, as diabetes. God wasn't joking around when he sent this to our table. Melting Pot is just so consistant in their food options, quality, creativity, and service, I know why this spot has been in Tampa so long.
(5)
Belinda C.
I recommend Chris Dolphin as your server when we have groups of 3 to 14 people he is very accommodating and you do not have to remind him of allergies, very prompt and entertaining and I will always recommend Chris as your server, and he will recommend another server who is just as skilled as him.
(5)
Jessica K.
This is my third time visiting the Melting Pot chain usually the service is very professional and classy. Last night my service was the worst! The server was not trained enough to be on her own. Besides that, the food was delicious and overfilling as expected for a four course meal. The up-charge broth made the dish over seasoned. The additional dippers for cheese was great. The menu is confusing for the entree. The dining areas are very private and great for dates though!
(3)
Joey S.
Wonderful food, AMAZING server, nice atmosphere! Loved Crystal, she gave amazing, personalized service.
(5)
Mark H.
The staff here at this location were very professional and courteous during my visit to this location. The restaurant was clean, and orderly even down to the bathrooms, so no complaints there. The atmosphere is dim and romantic. Seems like a great place to take a date, which is in fact what I did. However, I'm just not a fan of this concept, and I can't really understand how this place has made it after all these years. I can't lie, I did a small "hell yeah" fist pump when the Oldsmar location went belly up. It's wrong, I know, but I grew up being forced to eat fondue at home. I didn't care for it then and probably care less for it now. It has always amazed me that people would pay these prices for minuscule portions AND to have to cook it themselves. Imagine going to Publix and paying $9 for a sub only to have them point you to a sandwich making station where a single slice of deli meat and cheese was eagerly awaiting assembly. Well that's what this is like. Why does a small boiling caldron of vegetable oil make this acceptable???? I've eaten at Melting Pot two times in my life, and as Goerge W. Bush once said, "Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice.................. Well, ya fooled me!"
(2)
Ashley S.
Came here with my boyfriend for a date night. Had a reservation for 6 and was greeted and seated very promptly by the hostess. Our waiter, Phil, was absolutely awesome. Attentive, sweet, personable, courteous and super helpful as it was our first time eating here. He spent quite a bit of time covering the menu, how it works, and answered every question. Even the manager came over to introduce himself at the end of our courses. From the moment we walked in to the moment we left, we both can say that The Melting Pot of Tampa was the best dining experience we have ever had.
(5)
Richard N.
This was my second time going to melting pot. I think the idea of the restaurant is pretty cool. I was impressed by it the first time I went. Overall I'm not crazy about it. It seems to be really expensive for not a lot of food. The ambiance in there is pretty nice. I wish it was a little brighter because i feel like I get tired sitting in there with it being so dim. The food is really good though and I do like that you can cook it yourself. The deserts are really delicious my favorite is the plain chocolate with the rice crispy treats. I would like this place more if it wasn't so expensive to go there. I would recommend this place if you've never been because it's a cool idea and this particular location is nice and quiet and very clean.
(4)
Lori V.
Skip the meal. Get the cheese and then jump to dessert. The actual meal is the part that doesn't taste good. Then go home, do 100 sit ups and don't eat for a week. That's why I don't go there. Too darn fattening but fun place to go with kids or in groups.
(3)
E F.
Dinner here on Saturday night, April 18, 2015. Great server who was training a new server. Manager came by to check on us. All around top rated service! Excellent food, including some of the test kitchen specials. A great experience.
The Melting Pot deserves five stars. Anyone who gives it less than 4 should just stick to Applebees. 5 Stars because there's something for everyone to enjoy. However many courses you do, each one is delicious and unique. 5 Stars because this place IS UNIQUE. Do dinner fondue style. Every single person should go to Melting Pot at least once in their lifetime. Try something different. Any other reviews that state that there was "four pieces of meat" on their plates are tightfisted and bitter. Would you like the poultry and fish variety plate for $40? Or just the plate of chicken for $15? Ugh! Cheap lady below giving 3 stars shouldn't have walked her stingy ass into the Melting Pot in the first place. For recommendations on dining elsewhere, see line 1 of this review. Always good service, always delicious, and always a good time.
(5)
Andrew M.
Atmosphere: I've only been to the Melting Pot once before and it was the one in St Pete. The reason I share this is because my experience there two years ago was enjoyable and definitely good enough to go there again. On the contrary, my experience last night at the Tampa Melting Pot was less than memorable and I don't see myself going back there again under my own power. The first part of the experience was the nasty smell that hits you when we walked in the door. It's hard to describe but it smelled like vinegar and a wet dog. Have you ever been to a friends house or someone else that you know who's house seems overrun by their dogs?!? Yup it smelled like that. Also the place was grimy, the bathrooms were nasty and dated, my silverware was filthy. I could carve with my fingernail in the caked up grime. I did let the server know and she took them though didn't offer to get me new silverware. Also, I don't know how else to describe this place without sounding inappropriate or conceded as the look, smell, appearance, decor and overall experience was well below the standards I would expect for a restaurant like this at it's price point. I want to say more, but I will leave it at that. Food: We went for dessert and drinks after we dined at Kobe down the road. The food and drinks were great so no complaints here. Service: Our server was nice and did a fair job.
(2)
W L.
This was my 2nd time at a Melting Pot establishment. My 1st time was at the one in St. Pete. Anyways, we got a 4 course fondue special thing they had going on. It. Was. Delicious. Service was really good, too. I would eat here once a week if I could. The only negative thing I could say is the bar/lounge area had abandoned drinks on the tables, and in general needed to be wiped down. That would have given that area a nicer and more polished look. It kinda made it look somewhat dingy at first glance. There were also kids and it was kinda loud but that is no fault of the restaurant. The food is just so damn good. The weird beer lemonade they had was also delicious. Boyfriend ordered the blueberry one. Amazeballs. I can't wait to come back and stuff face here again!!
(4)
Teresa V.
I love melting pot. I go a few times a year probably and the food and service are consistently great. All of the salads are great. I have tried many of the cheeses and have loved each one. When we bring the kids we do the beer cheese fondue since that is the most kid friendly. I have tried each cooking style except fried and loved each one. My favorite entre is the steak lovers. The chocolate is alway great. I enjoy dipping the fruit the most! The red sangria and Margaritas are both yummy.
(5)
Alicia W.
Pretty delish...for a place that makes you cook your own food. :) I did enjoy myself, but since I am not a heavy dipper when it comes to sauces or really a big or fast eater, we would have needed another hour just to get through our main course (there 2 hours already); had to take a rain check on dessert. Of course though, I was on a first date. So, let's get to what's important, already! I mean, the place...you cook your own food! If the food is bad, its um, your fault. The service was excellent, but I was on a first BLIND date and thankfully the conversation wasn't lagging at all. However, constant interruptions re: food, temperature, more wine (duh!), next course was distracting if you actually attempt to have a conversation, but Ashley was spot on. First Course: Bread chunks, green apple slices, and cut up veggies to be dipped in a brie and whocaresitwasdeliciousness mixture...which because we talked so much actually started to burn. Second Course: salad. (crickets) Third Course: MEAT! The dipping stuff was a wine based liquid heated with GARLIC. Dip a shoe in it and its good. REMEMBER: Stick your skewers in there and as you are enjoying what you have just cooked, have something else in the pot ready to go when you finish the tiny morsel of what ever moo'd, swam, clucked or quacked; hence another reason we missed dessert. Wine poured and consumed through out the entire 2 hours... Date still cute! Food still good...holy crow its 8:20! WE GOTTA JET! Management is used to this, I'm guessing. They handed us a gift card to come back for dessert. Good form, Melting Pot. It was a good experience. Take 3 hours and enjoy The Melting Pot. I suggest some sort of work equity program though... Date ended well! There will be another!
(4)
Matt S.
Nice change of pace from your typical dining experience. It's a chain based out of the Tampa area I believe, but they have done a good job keeping the authentic feel to each restaurant. I have visited three different locations in Charlotte (2) and Tampa. Each time was equally good. The cheese course and dessert are the highlights of the meal, as the main course meat ends up tasting pretty bland after cooking in whatever fondue you choose. It can get pricey, especially if you do the "Big Night Out." Good date option, as you'll be engaged when you're cooking and it will create natural conversation. Plan on your clothes smelling very strong when you leave... the cooking penetrates clothing very easily and I've had to wash jeans a few times before it eventually came out. The Tampa location on Dale Mabry is pretty odd as it's tucked back in a strip mall, but once you find it parking is easy and the hidden aspect almost makes it easier in the long run.
(4)
Chris W.
Fondue good! Fondue pots and cooking your own meat is even better! The Melting Pot in itself is a unique dining experience. It is a fondue style restaurant, bringing you the raw meats to your table, allowing you to boil a combination of spices and whine on a burner built into the table. Oh, and you cook your meat yourself! I will forever love The Melting Pot, even if it is a chain all around the United States. This particular location does not represent The Melting Pot, so please don't judge it based on this one.
(3)
Peter C.
went here for my birthday and had a really good time...
(4)
Melissa R.
You either like fondue or you don't. I don't think there's an in-between. I happen to love it. The food quality seems pretty high. The cheeses are delicious. (especially cheddar and the spinach/artichoke dip) The veggies for dipping always seem fresh. The options for main courses always seem great. Last time I got something called the pacific rim which had duck, potstickers, chicken and pork and it was amazing! Of course the chocolate never disappoints either. There are so many options, but my favorite is still the classic which is peanut butter with chocolate. So delish! You get dipping items like cheesecake, marshmallow and bananas. The service and atmosphere is the real reason to go to Melting Pot. The servers (especially Chris) are fantastic. They are always super accommodating for personal preferences as well as allergies etc. It's a great place to go with a loved one or someone you haven't seen in a while and want to catch up with. Take your time, enjoy and savor!
(4)
Andrea G.
Loved this place! I will b back soon! The dessert was so amazing! Staff was friendly. It is rather expensive but really worth it for special occasions:)
(5)
Mary N.
My friend and I went here tonight for the best friends forever deal. The food was delicious! Our waiters were Jason and Chris, they were absolutely wonderful and made our experience fantastic! We will be back soon and I would recommend this place to anyone!
(5)
Cathy B.
We come here at least monthly.....Chris is a phenomenal bartender and he also waits tables on weeknights- definitely ask for him. Marley is also fantastic. Overall, all of their servers are experienced and will go out of their way for you. The food is delicious...... Definitely try the cheddar cheese fondue. The bourginone style is eat for tempura frying, the mushrooms you stuff yourself with green goddess and then tempura...yum! The port gorgonzola dip is to die for. And of course if you love chocolate you are in the right place. Tis is a great place for special occasions, but take it from me, you can come here anytime.....just come in for cheese &chocolate courses. Be sure to try the ying yang drink......amazing frozen concoction!!!!
(5)
Sarah K.
This p lace is so freaking expensive but SO worth it for special occasions. Try to beat the cost by sharing entrees or only going for desert or cheese and desert (skip the entree). The servers are truly a great bunch and the atmosphere is second to none. PERFECT place for a private dinner or special occasion. Great anniversary place. Super fun. If I was super rich, which I am not, I would eat here every week.
(4)
Erin S.
The Melting Pot has been, and will probably always remain as one of my favorite restaurants. Always a unique experience and the food is wonderful. My most recent visit was on Valentines Day with my boyfriend. They had seperate Vday menu, a little more pricey but that's what we went with. Our cheese fondue was a mix of white wine, fontina cheese, garlic, butterkase(german cheese and I can't spell it), pesto, mozz, and a thing or two more I can't recall but WOW. We had two servings of our bread/ veggie dippers bc we wanted to finish it. The salads were pretty good, can't remember the names though to save my life. The main course we got the cooking style that's herb-y...Coq Au Vin. Our main course selections were lobster tails, filet, lemon chicken, shrimp, and all the delicious sauces. My favorite is the gorgonzola sauce, amazing with steak and in my case...anything and everything. We had white chocolate strawberry mascarpone fondue. Good god. Talk about a food coma...comes with all the usual dessert dippers...cheescake, fruit, etc. And we also took home a box of their signature chocolate covered strawberries which were consumed within an hour the next day. The service is always great and the waiters know their product. As a nice valentines day touch, I also received flowers at my table and they took a photo of us and sent us home with the picture in a frame, which I loved. I could probably write 20 pages on the place but Ill stop. Try it!....you won't regret it.
(5)
Lola B.
I love this restaurant! The staff is always incredibly attentive and the food is delish!
(5)
Jill D.
We went to celebrate a special occasion. I like the dining concept, the cheese fondue was really great. What SUCKED was the service. We made a reservation, but were not seated for 25 minutes. Then we waited, and waited for the waiter to arrive to even introduce himself. He came, finally to say he would be with us shortly, we waited some more. At leat 10 minutes after we sat down, they sat people at the table across the aisle from us. Their waiter came right over, took their order, and brought their first course, we had not even ordered yet! When our waiter did take our order, the bar did not know how to make a basic cocktail, and could not figure out how. By now the table across was their second course, and we finally were served our first course. The meat for my main course was over seasoned, yuck. Such a disappointing evening, and it had been my idea to go!
(1)
Amalija D.
If you have never experienced it, it's a must go! No lie. Next special occasion you get, you should come here and enjoy a delicious treat. I come here for birthdays and anniversaries and I leave beaming.
(5)
Amanda-Rae R.
For a chain restaurant, The Melting Pot (or at least this location) is phenomenal. My favorite thing? The leisurely pace at which you can enjoy your meal and the relaxing atmosphere. My boyfriend and I have been dating for 4 years now so we've kinda hit a plateau where going out to dinner is a quick fix (in and out in less than an hour) to cooking when neither of us wants to be in the kitchen. We had a reservation for 9:30pm and left at 12:00am! It was wonderful to be able to take our time in an intimate setting where it felt like just the two of us. Tonight is our second time going and we're definitely hooked. Every suggestion our waiter made was delicious and he even provided us with extra veggies for the main course and dessert dippers (of our choice) for no extra charge.
(4)
Melissa M.
The golden days of Melting Pot are gone. I think most of us have eaten there and it's a fun place for a date or special occasion. However, my dining experiences over the last few years have left a lot to be desired and last night was the icing on the cake. Once again, they have raised their priced and reduced the amount of food you receive. I was with friends and we each picked a different "individual entree" since the hostess told us that was the best way to get more food for less money. Bullshit. We started with the cheese of course. We weren't brought bread for dipping until we were halfway through our cheese. When the entrees arrived I nearly fell out of the booth. There were 2 pieces of each protein on the plate. The portion size of each cut was measly. Now let's talk about the quality of the meat and seafood. Garbage. I'm convinced they're getting their groceries from the Super WalMart up the road. Considering each individual entree was between $30-$35, I was outraged. They can counter and say well the cheese fondue was included for the table, but it was just that cheese and for the table. Let's talk about the Manager who came to our table, Chris. He seemed very nice initially. However, after he asked if everything went well, my friend in good humor told him she was disappointed that she was unable to use both of her gift cards for the bill. They limit you to 1 per table. After some good natured banter, he told us that if we would like 36% gratuity added to the bill that he would be willing to do it. So we said sure (they add 18% for the use of 1 gift card). We had no problem with our server reaping the benefit. He was a nice. kid. Chris left the table with the additional gift card and came back a few minutes later, handing the card to my friend. We looked puzzled. Yeah, Chris was a tool. He didn't allow us to use the 2nd card. I don't appreciate the 10 minutes of my time that was wasted with his act.
(2)
Justin Y.
Great place! My girlfriend took me for my 21st birthday and the waiter was awesome. I would recommend you going back, and go hungry because it will definitely fill you.
Over the past few years, we live part of our year in Tampa so we've found some restaurants that we really love to go to when we're here. One of them is The Melting Pot. A meal there is a relaxing experience to be enjoyed and not rushed. If you go for the 4-course, expect it to last at least 90 minutes. Not because the service is slow, but because you really get to take your time and enjoy it. It's all fondue so you go at your own pace. They give you a great, customizable variety of FRESH, QUALITY beef, pork, chicken and seafood. You also get fresh vegetables and your choice of cooking broths. The "2-person" option will actually easily feed 3 hungry people. The dessert course is decadent and to die for! It's not inexpensive ($100-$110 for the 4-course option, without alcohol and depending on how well you tip) but it is absolutely worth EVERY PENNY! The service in impeccable and the atmosphere and ambiance is very laid back, soothing and romantic. Seating is intimate and you don't have a lot of noise going on around you. If you can swing it, this is a MUST when you visit Tampa! If nothing else, go for a special occasion, You'll be so glad you did! Can't say enough about this place!
(5)
Carmine P.
Great resturant, great service and a wonderful atmosphere. Cheese was great as well as the chocolate desert, main coarse needs more flavor. After two glasses of wine who cares!!! lots of fun, can be a romatic place if your withy the right person.
(4)
Wei Y.
good for dating ! try teriyaki sirlion
(4)
Bina J.
Beautiful, intimate seatings. An interesting experience to "cook" your own food. Very expensive though. I totally recommend this place for dates. Looking forward to going back... when I'm not broke. :P
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : No Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : No Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Dressy Ambience : Intimate Noise Level : Quiet Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : No Has TV : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : No
Kathy D.
The Melting Pot is unlike any other restaurant around. People either love it or hate it, there doesn't seem to be much middle ground. Personally I love it and have since it opened. Currently they have a "SKINNY DIP" menu that you can order from for $19.99 that offers 3 salad and entrees to choose from and a dark chocolate for dessert served with all fruit. They even have 3 cocktails for $5.00. Can't say you really missed anything with this menu, NOT! You have to order the cheese fondue extra, no big deal and still a good savings. Everything was fresh, attention to detail was present and service was excellent, as was the event. When you go to the Melting Pot, it isn't just dinner, it is an interactive event that always makes you smile. Boy, I have so many memories here! And I will continue to make memories at this location. A few observations. The good: they were full at 7PM on a Sunday night. Our server was excellent and always had a smile and all his bases covered. The bad: it now costs $5.95 to be unhealthy and prepare your food in oil. The ugly: come on owners, don't you think it's time to do a few upgrades?. The carpet is indoor/outdoor and I honestly believe the restroom has not been updated, except for paint and essentials since they opened. Looking at the restroom, literally makes me afraid to see the kitchen. I would rather think of the kitchen, with my event philosophy and not the possability, it could be as ancient as the restrooms. Owners wise up, people will always have to wash their hands, make it as inviting as your cozy booths, don't have them leave with their last memory being of a tired, old bathroom. Okay there you have it, I love the Melting Pot and wish/want to give it 5*'s, but they gotta take care of some business and do some sprucing, not even a manor expense. What's a girl to do? A bathroom is a very important part of a restaurant and it did NOT enhance my experience.
(4)Art C.
I've only been to the melting pot once and it was for my daughter's birthday. I told the staff and when we arrived my daughter was surprised by a balloon, a small teddy bear, and a box of chocolate. They also offered to take a picture for us to put in a picture frame. Their service was amazing. Our waiter was really polite and was fun to talk to. However, the food was really slow. But it was all worth the wait because it was amazing. What they do is they give us plates of raw meat. The customers then put the pieces of raw meat on these metal sticks. The sticks are color coded so there won't be an awkward situation where somebody can't find their orange duck after 5 minutes of cooking. One tip for people that plan on going in the future: don't put multiple pieces of meat on the stick, it'll make it cook slower. Better yet, if you don't mind fishing for pieces of meat with a big spoon, dump all of the meat in the pot. Overall, melting pot is good, but the prices is a bit too much to be considered as a place to go to often.
(4)Joe C.
Not all that! The server was very good and walked us through which made it all easier. The food itself was just not all that...
(2)David D.
Awesome Great What's not to like!!!!:) Very good service, happy and great mood setters. My wife and I had a very enjoyable and romantic experience!!!
(5)Lisa W.
The Melting Pot is a great special occasion spot for celebrating and fondue. We had a special mother/daughter dinner for a great report card. Jackie was our waitress and went above and beyond. She told us she had been there about a month, so took extra time and care of finding out info since we have some food allergies. The manager, Chris, came by to see how our meal and experience there was. All was great. We started with the spinach artichoke cheese dip, which was great. It came with 3 types of bread, veggie dippers, Apple dippers and tortilla chips. Then, I had the house salad with the tangy mustard dressing and loved it. For dinner, we shared shrimp and teriyaki steak and loved it. The meal came with mushrooms, broccoli and potatoes. The sauces... They've added a few new ones, but my favorites are some of the oldies... Teriyaki, cocktail, curry and green goddess. We tried the dark chocolate s'mores dessert and it was great. The dippers for that have changed and there are now a few options. We went with the one with pineapple, banana, blondies, brownies, pound cake and Rice Krispie treats. All in all, meal was great. Pricey, but nice and fun.
(5)J B.
My colleagues and I enjoyed a terrific meal at The Melting Pot earlier this week. I don't get up there very often, but it's always a special treat to have fondue. I like how the restaurant continues to change things up with different sauces, meat choices and other menu options. A lot has changed since I was there the last time and I was really happy to see some new additions. The classics are still there (hello Alpine cheese) but new cooking styles like the Japanese-inspired Miso were great too and gave a new twist to our meal. It was nice to see some new chocolate fondue options as well, though I don't think it gets any better than the original. The service was prompt and friendly. Our server anticipated our needs well and was always available for refills or to answer questions. Overall, I would definitely recommend The Melting Pot for a fun night out with friends, family or coworkers. The leisurely pace of the meal allows you to have some great conversations without feeling rushed. if you haven't been out for fondue in awhile, I encourage you to get back out there and try it
(5)Kathryn E.
Service was very good. Very expensive, skimpy portions of awful food. I Complained to the manager and his response was like "whatever." I'd never go back.
(1)Diana A.
This place is a great date night. While it is pricey it's worth the experience. The servers have great knowledge about their menu, which enhances the experience. The menu itself has so many options for everyone's taste buds! Each time I go I try something new. My boyfriend and I do the cheese first, then meats, followed by the chocolate like most do. In all reality I personally do not enjoy the meat because if I wanted to cook my own meat I'd do it at home. But I know it's part of the experience. Next time I'll just stick to the cheese and chocolate!
(5)Tin N.
We had a reservation at 715 pm for our 14 years anniversary and stills waiting outside with my wife and 2 young daughters passing 810... not sure the reservation option purpose
(1)Cori W.
I can't say enough good things about the Melting Pot. This is one of my FAVORITE places in the world! AHHHH, just writing about it makes me hungry. To really enjoy the experience you need to get all three courses....you can get the salad or you can do without, it's not necessary. I will say though you should only take those that enjoy experiences, I know some that feel that it's silly to pay so much to cook their own food, so this restaurant is not for everyone. Anywho, the cheeses are amaze! I've had some with beer and wine. I've also had the Mexican which is phenomenal! They come with bread and veggies and it's bliss....really it is. I've had the four course with lobster and honestly I think it's worth it. Unless they have another special going on that's a better deal get it. Ugh it's soooo good! This comes with veggies and some fantastic sauces including this amazing curry sauce. Finally you're given the chocolate. You're gonna like whatever chocolate you get, so don't fret. But we've had the flaming turtle, the reg. milk chocolate, and the smores. This comes with pound cake, strawberries, bananas, and other things, but those three are the best!
(5)Samantha J.
Let me start off by saying that the cheese fondue alone makes the whole trip worth it. Guests can choose how many courses they would like, though the 4 course is the most popular. This time we tried the Cheddar fondue and it was spectacular. Previously, we had the spinach and artichoke fondue and it was good but had lots of artichoke in the mixture so if you want more cheese I suggest staying away from this one. For salad, they still had their special apple orchard salad which was awesome - I'm a sucker for any salad with candied pecans, apples, and goat cheese! Most of the time I will get the classic for an entree which includes chicken, teriyaki tips, sirloin, shrimp, and bbq pork. They offer plenty of other choices like more seafood, more red meat, all vegetarian, etc. I personally enjoy the experience of cooking your own food because it gives you the chance to spend more time with your dinner mates and is s fun activity for a group of people or family to do! The chocolate was so good - we got the original which is milk chocolate with crunchy peanut butter swirl - talk about heaven! Others at our table got the raspberry dark chocolate fondue and that was just as good in its own way. Overall, it a great experience with great food for a night out.
(4)Stacey S.
Jackie is a great server. My boyfriend and I had her once and loved her! She always has good recommendations on food and drinks. So we request her every time we visit this location now. Shes even invited us to her wedding! Now that's a good business relationship there. We will keep coming back to see her especially, and of course for the food.
(5)Arianne K.
Went to this location Sunday night with my boyfriend for the first time. We tried the Fondue 101 special they are currently having, which includes the cheese and dessert fondue. We got the spinach and artichoke cheese fondue and the s'mores dessert fondue, which our server, Jordan, recommended we try with Oreo pieces. Everything was delicious. My boyfriend and I had a table that was partially enclosed and private, and the overall atmosphere of the restaurant made for a perfect evening. Jordan was an excellent server! I had a great night and will definitely be returning!!
(5)Brandon Q.
I've eaten at Melting pot more times than I can count. I honestly love this place. The cheese fondue and the chocolate fondue are amazing, but this recent trip gave me some doubts about this franchise. Everything was going great until the end of our cheese fondue when my girlfriend found something strange on her celery. We couldn't tell if it was rodent feces or a bug, either way it looked disgusting. We informed the waitress and she said it must have been a rotten piece (I suppose this "better" than the other two guesses). Here is where it gets interesting. The manager eventually makes his way over to address the issue and essentially blames it on their organic produce. He hadn't seen the celery, but I had taken a picture on my phone so I made sure he knew how disgusting it was. He goes on to explain that bugs sometimes make their way into the produce because it's organic. After more cheesy jokes, he leaves without offering to replace or reduce the price. Comping anything, even a fountain drink, would have been better than leaving the table with nothing but excuses, but that's what happened. With the dim lighting and the nature of fondue dining, there's no telling how many bugs (or whatever that was) we have eaten or stirred around in our cooking pot. I won't be visiting this melting pot again, but if you're in to bugs and poor management, check it out!
(1)Rachel H.
I absolutely LOVE this place. My husband and I come at least twice every month, if not more. The food is delicious. From the cheese fondue appetizer (I have only had the cheddar), to the entrée (we get the you pick 3), and when there's room to finish off with dessert (yummy flaming turtle) it is simple heaven. Just imagine fruits, little bite size cakes and bite size rice crispy treats all for your dipping pleasure into delicious melted chocolate of your choosing (there are a lot of choices from dark to milk to white to mixed). If you have not been here yet, I highly recommend you try it. Even if you only go for the dessert, that alone is worth the trip!
(5)H M.
Had dinner for my 2 year anniversary, and it was amazing! We had the four course " Tampa's big night out". We chose the spinach & artichoke cheese fondue, it was wonderful! I chose the house salad which was alright... They took the orchard salad off the menu which was my favorite. Then our entree came with lobster, steak, pork, sausage, ravioli and shrimp; we chose the mojo cooking oil. Which all turned out great, definitely used lots of the teriyaki dipping sauce. Then our dessert we chose the white chocolate creme brûlée... It was absolutely delicious! Also ordered the sour patch martini... It was pretty good as well. I definitely recommend dining here for a special night... It's romantic because of the ambiance and you get to talk more while cooking then you would if you were just dining at a regular place.. Because you'd just order and then would be eating. We enjoyed our experience, it was my Boyfriends first time there and he really enjoyed it! The bill was pretty steep, after tip it was $140 for two people. But we both had a drink and we had all kinds of meat! So overall, it's worth it.. Just go hungry and ready to drop some money!
(4)Sasha P.
Even though we were disappointed with our most recent experience, we are very grateful to the owners for doing their best to rectify the situation. The least we can do is give the place another try!
(3)Rachel H.
I just love the Melting Pot. The service is always great, the food never disappoints, and it is just a hole in one for me, every single time. I don't eat meat and eat dairy maybe 5% of the time but I give up all reservations about cheese upon stepping in the door at Melting Pot. If I'm going to eat cheese, I'm going to eat good cheese. And Melting Pot is the home of some good cheese. We always go for a four course meal (you should too) and start with whatever cheese pairing incorporates beer and garlic. The cheese course comes with french bread and a honey wheat bread. Also accompanying the cheese course are apples and veggies, but let's get serious, cheese + bread = bliss. The salads that are served as part of the four course meal are good and constantly changing as well. Take a tip from me and cover your salad with the seasoning they bring out and get the house dressing on whatever salad you choose. I LOVED the Good Earth Vegetarian Main Course, it was my first time visiting and not eating meat and I thought it was fantastic. We always cook our meals with some kind of broth (there are usually three different variations). We've never ordered the oil option but I'll rest easy assuming it's decadent. The veggie platter came with four pieces of marinated tofu (I'm not a tofu girl but this was pretty good), artichoke hearts, portabellos, different vegetables, and some 4 kinds of filled pasta. For our chocolate fondue to end our meal of absolute paradise, we got some pot of heavenly bounty that included marshmellow cream, liquor, a flame, milk chocolate, oreos, and rice crispie treats. You know, also known, as diabetes. God wasn't joking around when he sent this to our table. Melting Pot is just so consistant in their food options, quality, creativity, and service, I know why this spot has been in Tampa so long.
(5)Belinda C.
I recommend Chris Dolphin as your server when we have groups of 3 to 14 people he is very accommodating and you do not have to remind him of allergies, very prompt and entertaining and I will always recommend Chris as your server, and he will recommend another server who is just as skilled as him.
(5)Jessica K.
This is my third time visiting the Melting Pot chain usually the service is very professional and classy. Last night my service was the worst! The server was not trained enough to be on her own. Besides that, the food was delicious and overfilling as expected for a four course meal. The up-charge broth made the dish over seasoned. The additional dippers for cheese was great. The menu is confusing for the entree. The dining areas are very private and great for dates though!
(3)Joey S.
Wonderful food, AMAZING server, nice atmosphere! Loved Crystal, she gave amazing, personalized service.
(5)Mark H.
The staff here at this location were very professional and courteous during my visit to this location. The restaurant was clean, and orderly even down to the bathrooms, so no complaints there. The atmosphere is dim and romantic. Seems like a great place to take a date, which is in fact what I did. However, I'm just not a fan of this concept, and I can't really understand how this place has made it after all these years. I can't lie, I did a small "hell yeah" fist pump when the Oldsmar location went belly up. It's wrong, I know, but I grew up being forced to eat fondue at home. I didn't care for it then and probably care less for it now. It has always amazed me that people would pay these prices for minuscule portions AND to have to cook it themselves. Imagine going to Publix and paying $9 for a sub only to have them point you to a sandwich making station where a single slice of deli meat and cheese was eagerly awaiting assembly. Well that's what this is like. Why does a small boiling caldron of vegetable oil make this acceptable???? I've eaten at Melting Pot two times in my life, and as Goerge W. Bush once said, "Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice.................. Well, ya fooled me!"
(2)Ashley S.
Came here with my boyfriend for a date night. Had a reservation for 6 and was greeted and seated very promptly by the hostess. Our waiter, Phil, was absolutely awesome. Attentive, sweet, personable, courteous and super helpful as it was our first time eating here. He spent quite a bit of time covering the menu, how it works, and answered every question. Even the manager came over to introduce himself at the end of our courses. From the moment we walked in to the moment we left, we both can say that The Melting Pot of Tampa was the best dining experience we have ever had.
(5)Richard N.
This was my second time going to melting pot. I think the idea of the restaurant is pretty cool. I was impressed by it the first time I went. Overall I'm not crazy about it. It seems to be really expensive for not a lot of food. The ambiance in there is pretty nice. I wish it was a little brighter because i feel like I get tired sitting in there with it being so dim. The food is really good though and I do like that you can cook it yourself. The deserts are really delicious my favorite is the plain chocolate with the rice crispy treats. I would like this place more if it wasn't so expensive to go there. I would recommend this place if you've never been because it's a cool idea and this particular location is nice and quiet and very clean.
(4)Lori V.
Skip the meal. Get the cheese and then jump to dessert. The actual meal is the part that doesn't taste good. Then go home, do 100 sit ups and don't eat for a week. That's why I don't go there. Too darn fattening but fun place to go with kids or in groups.
(3)E F.
Dinner here on Saturday night, April 18, 2015. Great server who was training a new server. Manager came by to check on us. All around top rated service! Excellent food, including some of the test kitchen specials. A great experience.
(4)Steve E.
I was back from a long road trip, and my girlfriend said she was treating me to a special dinner at one of her favorite restaurants. After two weeks of living in hotels and eating in a variety of restaurants, I was ready for something quiet and low-key where Brittany and I could sit and chat without being constantly interrupted by our waiter asking if we were enjoying our meal. The Melting Pot is hidden in the back corner of the Carrollwood Village Shopping Center at the intersection of South Village Drive and Dale Mabry Highway. Those in the know will turn into the shopping center off of South Village Drive, and find plenty of easy parking for the restaurant. Our reservation was for 7:30, but we arrived early to have a relaxing glass of wine in the bar before our meal. They have lots of wines by the bottle and by the glass, so you can easily pick and choose what fits your mood. It's also a full bar with beer and cocktails to appeal to all. After a bit the waitress came and brought us to our booth which was tucked back out of the way and very private. We went with a 4-course dinner experience which included the cheese fondue course, a salad, a meat fondue, and finally a chocolate dessert fondue. Thankfully they offered smaller portions for the two of us -- otherwise I would have been on the phone calling all of my friends to join us for dinner!!! We started with their new Alpine Swiss cheese fondue, which came in a metal double-boiler and was set down on a heating element in the center of table. While our waitress stirred in the white wine, garlic, cheeses, lemon juice, and freshly grated nutmeg, we looked over the selection of cubed breads, fruits and veggies for dipping. Eventually the cheese was ready and we grabbed our long-handled forks and started dunking till the cheese was all gone. Before long the spinach mushroom salads came out, along with another glass of wine, and we took a little breather before our waitress brought a new double-boiler filled with seasoned court bouillon vegetable broth and their seafood trio which turned out to be cubes of Mahi Mahi, cleaned and de-veined white shrimp, and cubes of Atlantic salmon. You can also get a variety of steaks, chicken, sausages, pork medallions, and even a Veggie-only option. I was stuffed by this point, and made the suggestion that we could skip dessert and call it a night. She did not see the humor in my comment and mentioned that there would be more chocolate for her this way. Oh well, I tried my best to be healthy! Britt ordered the new Pumpkin Pie White Chocolate fondue which turned out to be white chocolate blended tableside with pumpkin purée and topped with shaved chocolate. That was served with fresh strawberries, bananas, Rice Krispies Treats, marshmallows, cubes of pound cake and small brownies. Gawds, let me run down to the drug store and see if I can get some insulin to go with dessert! It was super rich, but delicious, and I forced myself to enjoy a few cubes of pound cake. Dinner lasted till about 10:30 and it was terrific to just be able to relax and laugh while enjoying a very wonderful dinner with a lovely lady. It seems as though we ate a lot of food, but I doubt it was more than a full-blown steak dinner. Thanks Melting Pot for a great evening and a fantastic meal.
(4)Julie F.
The Melting Pot deserves five stars. Anyone who gives it less than 4 should just stick to Applebees. 5 Stars because there's something for everyone to enjoy. However many courses you do, each one is delicious and unique. 5 Stars because this place IS UNIQUE. Do dinner fondue style. Every single person should go to Melting Pot at least once in their lifetime. Try something different. Any other reviews that state that there was "four pieces of meat" on their plates are tightfisted and bitter. Would you like the poultry and fish variety plate for $40? Or just the plate of chicken for $15? Ugh! Cheap lady below giving 3 stars shouldn't have walked her stingy ass into the Melting Pot in the first place. For recommendations on dining elsewhere, see line 1 of this review. Always good service, always delicious, and always a good time.
(5)Andrew M.
Atmosphere: I've only been to the Melting Pot once before and it was the one in St Pete. The reason I share this is because my experience there two years ago was enjoyable and definitely good enough to go there again. On the contrary, my experience last night at the Tampa Melting Pot was less than memorable and I don't see myself going back there again under my own power. The first part of the experience was the nasty smell that hits you when we walked in the door. It's hard to describe but it smelled like vinegar and a wet dog. Have you ever been to a friends house or someone else that you know who's house seems overrun by their dogs?!? Yup it smelled like that. Also the place was grimy, the bathrooms were nasty and dated, my silverware was filthy. I could carve with my fingernail in the caked up grime. I did let the server know and she took them though didn't offer to get me new silverware. Also, I don't know how else to describe this place without sounding inappropriate or conceded as the look, smell, appearance, decor and overall experience was well below the standards I would expect for a restaurant like this at it's price point. I want to say more, but I will leave it at that. Food: We went for dessert and drinks after we dined at Kobe down the road. The food and drinks were great so no complaints here. Service: Our server was nice and did a fair job.
(2)W L.
This was my 2nd time at a Melting Pot establishment. My 1st time was at the one in St. Pete. Anyways, we got a 4 course fondue special thing they had going on. It. Was. Delicious. Service was really good, too. I would eat here once a week if I could. The only negative thing I could say is the bar/lounge area had abandoned drinks on the tables, and in general needed to be wiped down. That would have given that area a nicer and more polished look. It kinda made it look somewhat dingy at first glance. There were also kids and it was kinda loud but that is no fault of the restaurant. The food is just so damn good. The weird beer lemonade they had was also delicious. Boyfriend ordered the blueberry one. Amazeballs. I can't wait to come back and stuff face here again!!
(4)Teresa V.
I love melting pot. I go a few times a year probably and the food and service are consistently great. All of the salads are great. I have tried many of the cheeses and have loved each one. When we bring the kids we do the beer cheese fondue since that is the most kid friendly. I have tried each cooking style except fried and loved each one. My favorite entre is the steak lovers. The chocolate is alway great. I enjoy dipping the fruit the most! The red sangria and Margaritas are both yummy.
(5)Alicia W.
Pretty delish...for a place that makes you cook your own food. :) I did enjoy myself, but since I am not a heavy dipper when it comes to sauces or really a big or fast eater, we would have needed another hour just to get through our main course (there 2 hours already); had to take a rain check on dessert. Of course though, I was on a first date. So, let's get to what's important, already! I mean, the place...you cook your own food! If the food is bad, its um, your fault. The service was excellent, but I was on a first BLIND date and thankfully the conversation wasn't lagging at all. However, constant interruptions re: food, temperature, more wine (duh!), next course was distracting if you actually attempt to have a conversation, but Ashley was spot on. First Course: Bread chunks, green apple slices, and cut up veggies to be dipped in a brie and whocaresitwasdeliciousness mixture...which because we talked so much actually started to burn. Second Course: salad. (crickets) Third Course: MEAT! The dipping stuff was a wine based liquid heated with GARLIC. Dip a shoe in it and its good. REMEMBER: Stick your skewers in there and as you are enjoying what you have just cooked, have something else in the pot ready to go when you finish the tiny morsel of what ever moo'd, swam, clucked or quacked; hence another reason we missed dessert. Wine poured and consumed through out the entire 2 hours... Date still cute! Food still good...holy crow its 8:20! WE GOTTA JET! Management is used to this, I'm guessing. They handed us a gift card to come back for dessert. Good form, Melting Pot. It was a good experience. Take 3 hours and enjoy The Melting Pot. I suggest some sort of work equity program though... Date ended well! There will be another!
(4)Matt S.
Nice change of pace from your typical dining experience. It's a chain based out of the Tampa area I believe, but they have done a good job keeping the authentic feel to each restaurant. I have visited three different locations in Charlotte (2) and Tampa. Each time was equally good. The cheese course and dessert are the highlights of the meal, as the main course meat ends up tasting pretty bland after cooking in whatever fondue you choose. It can get pricey, especially if you do the "Big Night Out." Good date option, as you'll be engaged when you're cooking and it will create natural conversation. Plan on your clothes smelling very strong when you leave... the cooking penetrates clothing very easily and I've had to wash jeans a few times before it eventually came out. The Tampa location on Dale Mabry is pretty odd as it's tucked back in a strip mall, but once you find it parking is easy and the hidden aspect almost makes it easier in the long run.
(4)Chris W.
Fondue good! Fondue pots and cooking your own meat is even better! The Melting Pot in itself is a unique dining experience. It is a fondue style restaurant, bringing you the raw meats to your table, allowing you to boil a combination of spices and whine on a burner built into the table. Oh, and you cook your meat yourself! I will forever love The Melting Pot, even if it is a chain all around the United States. This particular location does not represent The Melting Pot, so please don't judge it based on this one.
(3)Peter C.
went here for my birthday and had a really good time...
(4)Melissa R.
You either like fondue or you don't. I don't think there's an in-between. I happen to love it. The food quality seems pretty high. The cheeses are delicious. (especially cheddar and the spinach/artichoke dip) The veggies for dipping always seem fresh. The options for main courses always seem great. Last time I got something called the pacific rim which had duck, potstickers, chicken and pork and it was amazing! Of course the chocolate never disappoints either. There are so many options, but my favorite is still the classic which is peanut butter with chocolate. So delish! You get dipping items like cheesecake, marshmallow and bananas. The service and atmosphere is the real reason to go to Melting Pot. The servers (especially Chris) are fantastic. They are always super accommodating for personal preferences as well as allergies etc. It's a great place to go with a loved one or someone you haven't seen in a while and want to catch up with. Take your time, enjoy and savor!
(4)Andrea G.
Loved this place! I will b back soon! The dessert was so amazing! Staff was friendly. It is rather expensive but really worth it for special occasions:)
(5)Mary N.
My friend and I went here tonight for the best friends forever deal. The food was delicious! Our waiters were Jason and Chris, they were absolutely wonderful and made our experience fantastic! We will be back soon and I would recommend this place to anyone!
(5)Cathy B.
We come here at least monthly.....Chris is a phenomenal bartender and he also waits tables on weeknights- definitely ask for him. Marley is also fantastic. Overall, all of their servers are experienced and will go out of their way for you. The food is delicious...... Definitely try the cheddar cheese fondue. The bourginone style is eat for tempura frying, the mushrooms you stuff yourself with green goddess and then tempura...yum! The port gorgonzola dip is to die for. And of course if you love chocolate you are in the right place. Tis is a great place for special occasions, but take it from me, you can come here anytime.....just come in for cheese &chocolate courses. Be sure to try the ying yang drink......amazing frozen concoction!!!!
(5)Sarah K.
This p lace is so freaking expensive but SO worth it for special occasions. Try to beat the cost by sharing entrees or only going for desert or cheese and desert (skip the entree). The servers are truly a great bunch and the atmosphere is second to none. PERFECT place for a private dinner or special occasion. Great anniversary place. Super fun. If I was super rich, which I am not, I would eat here every week.
(4)Erin S.
The Melting Pot has been, and will probably always remain as one of my favorite restaurants. Always a unique experience and the food is wonderful. My most recent visit was on Valentines Day with my boyfriend. They had seperate Vday menu, a little more pricey but that's what we went with. Our cheese fondue was a mix of white wine, fontina cheese, garlic, butterkase(german cheese and I can't spell it), pesto, mozz, and a thing or two more I can't recall but WOW. We had two servings of our bread/ veggie dippers bc we wanted to finish it. The salads were pretty good, can't remember the names though to save my life. The main course we got the cooking style that's herb-y...Coq Au Vin. Our main course selections were lobster tails, filet, lemon chicken, shrimp, and all the delicious sauces. My favorite is the gorgonzola sauce, amazing with steak and in my case...anything and everything. We had white chocolate strawberry mascarpone fondue. Good god. Talk about a food coma...comes with all the usual dessert dippers...cheescake, fruit, etc. And we also took home a box of their signature chocolate covered strawberries which were consumed within an hour the next day. The service is always great and the waiters know their product. As a nice valentines day touch, I also received flowers at my table and they took a photo of us and sent us home with the picture in a frame, which I loved. I could probably write 20 pages on the place but Ill stop. Try it!....you won't regret it.
(5)Lola B.
I love this restaurant! The staff is always incredibly attentive and the food is delish!
(5)Jill D.
We went to celebrate a special occasion. I like the dining concept, the cheese fondue was really great. What SUCKED was the service. We made a reservation, but were not seated for 25 minutes. Then we waited, and waited for the waiter to arrive to even introduce himself. He came, finally to say he would be with us shortly, we waited some more. At leat 10 minutes after we sat down, they sat people at the table across the aisle from us. Their waiter came right over, took their order, and brought their first course, we had not even ordered yet! When our waiter did take our order, the bar did not know how to make a basic cocktail, and could not figure out how. By now the table across was their second course, and we finally were served our first course. The meat for my main course was over seasoned, yuck. Such a disappointing evening, and it had been my idea to go!
(1)Amalija D.
If you have never experienced it, it's a must go! No lie. Next special occasion you get, you should come here and enjoy a delicious treat. I come here for birthdays and anniversaries and I leave beaming.
(5)Amanda-Rae R.
For a chain restaurant, The Melting Pot (or at least this location) is phenomenal. My favorite thing? The leisurely pace at which you can enjoy your meal and the relaxing atmosphere. My boyfriend and I have been dating for 4 years now so we've kinda hit a plateau where going out to dinner is a quick fix (in and out in less than an hour) to cooking when neither of us wants to be in the kitchen. We had a reservation for 9:30pm and left at 12:00am! It was wonderful to be able to take our time in an intimate setting where it felt like just the two of us. Tonight is our second time going and we're definitely hooked. Every suggestion our waiter made was delicious and he even provided us with extra veggies for the main course and dessert dippers (of our choice) for no extra charge.
(4)Melissa M.
The golden days of Melting Pot are gone. I think most of us have eaten there and it's a fun place for a date or special occasion. However, my dining experiences over the last few years have left a lot to be desired and last night was the icing on the cake. Once again, they have raised their priced and reduced the amount of food you receive. I was with friends and we each picked a different "individual entree" since the hostess told us that was the best way to get more food for less money. Bullshit. We started with the cheese of course. We weren't brought bread for dipping until we were halfway through our cheese. When the entrees arrived I nearly fell out of the booth. There were 2 pieces of each protein on the plate. The portion size of each cut was measly. Now let's talk about the quality of the meat and seafood. Garbage. I'm convinced they're getting their groceries from the Super WalMart up the road. Considering each individual entree was between $30-$35, I was outraged. They can counter and say well the cheese fondue was included for the table, but it was just that cheese and for the table. Let's talk about the Manager who came to our table, Chris. He seemed very nice initially. However, after he asked if everything went well, my friend in good humor told him she was disappointed that she was unable to use both of her gift cards for the bill. They limit you to 1 per table. After some good natured banter, he told us that if we would like 36% gratuity added to the bill that he would be willing to do it. So we said sure (they add 18% for the use of 1 gift card). We had no problem with our server reaping the benefit. He was a nice. kid. Chris left the table with the additional gift card and came back a few minutes later, handing the card to my friend. We looked puzzled. Yeah, Chris was a tool. He didn't allow us to use the 2nd card. I don't appreciate the 10 minutes of my time that was wasted with his act.
(2)Justin Y.
Great place! My girlfriend took me for my 21st birthday and the waiter was awesome. I would recommend you going back, and go hungry because it will definitely fill you.
(5)Susan C.
Last night was our first visit. I was very disappointed. First off you have to wait in line for a rest room, I found that odd. The restroom was in very pore shape as well. For the price we paid for our dinner you would think the restrooms would be nice and updated not putty on the walls, dirty and only one stall. Also our booth had torn seats and not just a small tear three fairly large tears. Again for the price we paid for our dinner you would think the restaurant keep things updated and nice. Also keeping it so dark only seems to me that they are trying to hide the fact things are falling apart. Not very happy with the upkeep or décor at all. Very run down looking. Our food was ok, not sure I am happy with having to cook my own meat but it was a different experience, the cheese was good as well as the desert but I was not happy with the fact that two couples have to share the same cheese and chocolate because there is only one burner on the table. In order to get what you want you would have to sit at separate tables. Our waiter was very nice but lagged when it came to bringing our drinks, he seemed very busy, too busy maybe. If they want to keep customers they might want to repair/update the restaurant and put two burners per table so people do not have to settle. Not a place I will visit again for sure. I can say I have tried and not happy with how much it cost to do so...
(1)Cindy F.
Over the past few years, we live part of our year in Tampa so we've found some restaurants that we really love to go to when we're here. One of them is The Melting Pot. A meal there is a relaxing experience to be enjoyed and not rushed. If you go for the 4-course, expect it to last at least 90 minutes. Not because the service is slow, but because you really get to take your time and enjoy it. It's all fondue so you go at your own pace. They give you a great, customizable variety of FRESH, QUALITY beef, pork, chicken and seafood. You also get fresh vegetables and your choice of cooking broths. The "2-person" option will actually easily feed 3 hungry people. The dessert course is decadent and to die for! It's not inexpensive ($100-$110 for the 4-course option, without alcohol and depending on how well you tip) but it is absolutely worth EVERY PENNY! The service in impeccable and the atmosphere and ambiance is very laid back, soothing and romantic. Seating is intimate and you don't have a lot of noise going on around you. If you can swing it, this is a MUST when you visit Tampa! If nothing else, go for a special occasion, You'll be so glad you did! Can't say enough about this place!
(5)Carmine P.
Great resturant, great service and a wonderful atmosphere. Cheese was great as well as the chocolate desert, main coarse needs more flavor. After two glasses of wine who cares!!! lots of fun, can be a romatic place if your withy the right person.
(4)Wei Y.
good for dating ! try teriyaki sirlion
(4)Bina J.
Beautiful, intimate seatings. An interesting experience to "cook" your own food. Very expensive though. I totally recommend this place for dates. Looking forward to going back... when I'm not broke. :P
(5)