My experience with Melting Pot was not great. Apparently, you must make a reservation. I looked at their online reservation system and they had an opening at 5:15. It was 5:00 and we pulled in. As we approach the host, he simply said, "name please?" We gave our name and he explained that they were fully booked until 8:30. I have a hard time believing they they were fully booked. First of all, there were 4 cars in the parking lot and I literally saw at least, 3-4 empty tables. Oh well, we took our $90 elsewhere.
(1)
Carolyn T.
I decided to dine here with my boyfriend the night before I moved out of Appleton because I had always wanted to try it. I had never had real fondue before and I have heard from so many friends that The Melting Pot offered an awesome romantic ambiance. So, I finally bit the bullet and came to try the cheese and chocolate fondue. The atmosphere is dark, classy, and intimate. We shared a booth with the sides so tall that it almost felt like we were the only people dining there. I like that. Our server was very friendly and got our cheese fondue started right away. We got the classic or original (I don't remember what it was called exactly). I loved how she made it right in front of us and told us about all the ingredients. I thought it was a little bit heavy on the alcohol, but maybe that's just because I don't drink. I loved dipping the bread and vegetables the most. We asked for more bread, and the server was happy to promptly bring more. Finally, there was dessert. The chocolate fondue with peanutbutter was heavenly and I liked it even better than the cheese fondue, which I thought could not possibly be surpassed. The marshmallows were my absolute favorite. Yum! It was a little on the sweet side, or at least seemed moreso after eating over half. Overall, I thought it was all very novel and exciting to eat fondue here, but I would not make it a regular occurrence. I signed up for the email club, so I hope to get a deal! Oh, also, there was a special of some sort, so I spun a wheel and won a free lunch cheese fondue. So, I can't wait to come back to redeem that!
(4)
Isaac A.
Each time I've gone here I've had a different experience. I've ordered many type of meals and in particular like the surf and turf. One particular experience left me questioning if I'll ever go back. My waitress sat us next to a hall-style room that had approximately 12 older, very loud women. I asked to be seated somewhere else but she assured me the doors could be shut to eliminate any noise. One of the 2 sliding doors were shut. Our waitress started the broth and left. After much dismay and 15 minutes later of loud women, she finally came back. This was after I asked another waiter to close the other door since it was still very loud and that we were upset. She tried but the other door only closed part way. Our waitress left us unattended for a very long time throughout this encounter. The male waiter, who was helping the loud women, was able to shut the door and was actually more attentive to us than our own waitress. Over the course of this 2.5 hour meal (which should have been 90 minutes or less, I decided not to leave a tip. This is an extremely rare thing for me to do but based on this service I felt it was warranted. I had another table in my line of view look back at my table giving the impression they felt bad for us. I've dined here 6 times and I haven't been back since.
(3)
Madeleine K.
Our family's favorite restaurant for special occasions! Although most would say it is not good for kids, we usually come as a party of 9, 5 of which are kids. They either put is in the back or give us our own room so it works our great! The cheese is to die for, and I would highly recommend the teriyaki sirloin. The kids love the chili plate fondue and always request extra brownies. A but pricy, but a fun experience with amazing food!
(5)
Demetra D.
I've been to this restaurant several times, and while its expensive, I don't find it outrageous. The food is very good and they give you plenty. I have never once left feeling under-fed, so I don't know what others may be talking about when they mention small portion sizes... The way I recommend eating at The Melting Pot when you're on a budget is by joining their email club. It offers many great deals. For example, today we got a four-course meal for 20.11 per person as a new years special.
(5)
Nicole B.
My favorite restaurant in Appleton, it is fun, delicious and if you love chocolate, they have the best desert on earth! Great wine selection as well. Atmosphere is so nice! Very expensive though. Plan on spending around $100 for two at least, if you have wine, probably more. It is also not a quick dining experience, plan on being there for 1 1/2 - 2 hours, not because there's a wait, just because it's fondue so the dining experience takes longer, but is worth it!
(5)
Jenny S.
Cool, thanks for the small portion of raw meat and this overly spiced broth. Oh that was $20? Great. Ugh, extremely overrated!! It's expensive and not that good. I honestly think people just come here for the novelty of it. Service is incredibly slow and seating was awkward. There were plenty of open seats and we got sat next to a table with a couple celebrating their anniversary. Maybe I'm a little biased because I am used to dining in big cities but there has to be something else in Appleton considered "fine dining".
(1)
Cale R.
Went here while on a field trip with my senior French class. It's a little expensive, but not ridiculous. We opted for the full dining service, which runs you about $25 per person. The first course was the cheese/bread/apple course. It was good after the cheese thickened up. DO NOT eat it right when they say it's edible. You'll get a mouthful of the alcohol base, as the cheese kinda falls off due to it not being completely melted/mixed quite yet. But after a few minutes, it's all good for you to dig in to. As far as the flavor- We chose the cheddar fondue, which had a good balance of sharpness to it with the right texture that you expect in cheese fondue. We also had a Swiss fondue, and that had a huge aftertaste. Only order this if you're 100% with a very strong wine aftertaste. The Caesar salad was just that -- a Caesar salad. Although a little small, it's not your main course. Don't worry about it. Now for the main course. You get three decent size shrimp, and 3 pieces of both chicken and steak. They are a little smaller than a golf-ball. The chicken is average. Same goes for the shrimp. You can definitely taste the freshness, but the flavor isn't far off from what you'd expect to find at most restaurants. The steak, however, is very good. The 2-minute time it takes to cook the steak gives you a perfectly cooked bite-sized piece of tender goodness. Definitely save this for last, as it's the best. Finally, the dessert. This was truly exceptional. Up until the dessert came out, I was relatively content, but this made me giddy. The chocolate was perfect. Rich, creamy, smooth, everything. My group chose the turtle fondue and the yin-yang fondue, and both were equally delicious. The restaurant provides an honest platter of strawberries, marshmallows, fudge, red-velvet cake, rice crispy treats, bananas, and a slim piece of cheesecake, all of which can be dipped in the chocolate with ease using the sticks they provide. This made the restaurant awesome. In the future, I'd only come here for the chocolate fondue. Everything is good, but $25/person just isn't worth it for a full meal. Take your girlfriend/wife somewhere else for food, then here for dessert. It would run you about $20 for the both of you, tip included. Getting a $15/person meal somewhere else would probably be a better, more filling idea.
(4)
Robin L.
Decent prices for the only fondue place in town. I usually only go for dessert which is considerably cheaper. The wine list is pretty extensive. Our server was very attentive.
(4)
John F.
Fun to do once or twice but $150 for 4 people and still be hungry when you leave is too much! I did enjoy most of the meal and had some fun cooking but the meat was only so so.
(2)
Rachel W.
I recently came here while on a business trip with several co-workers. We all enjoyed the drinks and food. There is a great selection of meats to choose from, I did the "pick three" combo. Our server was attentive, but not too much so. Everyone was so full we couldn't even think about ordering dessert. Too bad as I really would have loved to try the chocolate fondue.
(4)
Joey T.
Been there twice with the wife and have enjoyed it both times. Amazing how time flies with great food, wine and company. I am a huge fan. This is a very quiet and romantic place to eat for those who are interested.
(4)
Kristen Z.
As far as fondue restaurants go, this place is pretty decent. It is basically the only place in central Wisconsin you can get full-menu fondue, so bear that in mind if you have your heart set on this type of dining experience. Overall, I don't think the price is terrible for the quantity you receive. We did the full service experience (as we had a large group), so I believe it is a pre-set menu. It was a little over $20 per person for a cheese/bread appetizer, salad, main entree (steak, chicken, shrimp, ravioli and veggies) and desert (cakes, fruit and chocolate). The food itself was pretty decent - though nothing exceptional. The staff was friendly and helped along those that have never eaten at a fondue place before. The only real downside for us was that it took forever; we were here for almost three hours.
(3)
Paul E.
When you come to the Melting Pot, be prepared for a fantastic dining experience with an amazing staff and a good price-point! You are never rushed to eat and get out like you are at so many other American restaurants. You have time to actually enjoy your food AND your company, something so many of us need more of. Although they do offer free WiFi, put away your Blackberries and iPhones and enjoy life. If you leave hungry, then you've done it wrong. The staff lets you know right away that you can have as many "dippers" as you like. The cheese fondue is always the perfect blend of ale, cheese and seasonings, and the servers are always happy to adjust the amounts of beer or seasonings or cheese to your liking. When the main course comes, again, seasoned just right and they walk you through the cooking times for each item. When the chocolate fondue comes, it's like heaven. Sweet, yes...but it IS dessert. We prefer the milk chocolate with a touch of Chambord - try it!! It's absolutley delicious, and if you prefer to have more fruit instead of brownies or rice krispy treats, they'll always do that for you! The intimacy of the Melting Pot in Appleton is an experience to be enjoyed and savored, never hurried. With friends, business colleagues, family or a special someone, this is the restaurant for every occasion.
(5)
Anthony E.
At the Melting Pot, be prepared for a nice experience with good food and a fantastic staff! Hasty dining and a "eat-and-get-out" attitude will not be found here! Sit back, relax and enjoy yourself. You will never leave hungry thanks to the helpfull staff. They let you know immediately that you can have all the dippers you want. The cheese fondue is perfect in it's combination of cheese, beer and broth and the waiter is always happy to make adjustments to suit your tastes. For the main course, they teach you proper cooking times and safe handling for each item. Again, they are more than happy to make flavor adjustments tailored to your tastebuds!! The chocolate fondue is heavenly. get Dark Chocolate with Grand Marnier and nuts!!! I like it with strawberries and those Oreo marshmallows...yummy! They have free WiFi here, but do you really NEED it? The staff at the Melting Pot makes sure your experience is never rushed, but relaxed and special. I would recommend this restaurant for EVERY occasion no matter who you're dining with!
(5)
Eddie H.
I had tons of fun at The Melting Pot, and have come to love fondue. The food was very quality and delectable. It pays off in the memories you will make with friends and family. Great for birthdays, anniversaries, or a night out. (Make sure to get the chocolate!!!!) A guaranteed great time!
(4)
Ivy C.
i would have chosen "french" as the type of food, however, this fondue franchise has made it very "american". again, like a lot of places in wisconsin, this place is very bad for a diet. be prepared to spend $20-$40, depending on the meal that you want. i came with a coworker and we were stuffed full! i've been to the one in san jose, california, so i knew what to eat and what not to eat. you start off with a salad. though it is fresh and the dressing is good, just take a couple of bites and leave the rest or else you won't be able to finish the rest. then there is the cheese fondue with bread. i forget what cheese i chose, but definitely very very good dip. the fondue for the meats, seafood, and main course parts were pretty good. i think after cooking your food, it's the dips that they give you that bring out the flavours. lastly, i believe the best part of the meal was the dessert chocolate fondue. get anything that contains alcohol mixed in since they'll probably flambe it (light it on fire) then mix it into the dip. you can an array of dessert fruit, strawberries, bananas, kiwis, and marshmallows, cheesecake, and other cake to dip into that sumptuous chocolate. if i could come here just for the dessert fondue as a meal, i probably would. you come out of there at least 5 pounds heavier. the funny thing though, i went to a cliient site and a guy there told me he ate here and was not full at all. he called the stuff "you just dip little pieces of bread and food and that's it". now this guy is a pretty heavy set dood, like the type of guy you wonder how he'll ever get a girlfriend. so i didn't really into account his experience in this place b/c EVERY time i've had fondue (melting pot, la fondue in saratoga), i've been stuffed, and i can eat a lot.
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : No Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : No Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : No Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Romantic Noise Level : Quiet Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : Free Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes
Brad E.
My experience with Melting Pot was not great. Apparently, you must make a reservation. I looked at their online reservation system and they had an opening at 5:15. It was 5:00 and we pulled in. As we approach the host, he simply said, "name please?" We gave our name and he explained that they were fully booked until 8:30. I have a hard time believing they they were fully booked. First of all, there were 4 cars in the parking lot and I literally saw at least, 3-4 empty tables. Oh well, we took our $90 elsewhere.
(1)Carolyn T.
I decided to dine here with my boyfriend the night before I moved out of Appleton because I had always wanted to try it. I had never had real fondue before and I have heard from so many friends that The Melting Pot offered an awesome romantic ambiance. So, I finally bit the bullet and came to try the cheese and chocolate fondue. The atmosphere is dark, classy, and intimate. We shared a booth with the sides so tall that it almost felt like we were the only people dining there. I like that. Our server was very friendly and got our cheese fondue started right away. We got the classic or original (I don't remember what it was called exactly). I loved how she made it right in front of us and told us about all the ingredients. I thought it was a little bit heavy on the alcohol, but maybe that's just because I don't drink. I loved dipping the bread and vegetables the most. We asked for more bread, and the server was happy to promptly bring more. Finally, there was dessert. The chocolate fondue with peanutbutter was heavenly and I liked it even better than the cheese fondue, which I thought could not possibly be surpassed. The marshmallows were my absolute favorite. Yum! It was a little on the sweet side, or at least seemed moreso after eating over half. Overall, I thought it was all very novel and exciting to eat fondue here, but I would not make it a regular occurrence. I signed up for the email club, so I hope to get a deal! Oh, also, there was a special of some sort, so I spun a wheel and won a free lunch cheese fondue. So, I can't wait to come back to redeem that!
(4)Isaac A.
Each time I've gone here I've had a different experience. I've ordered many type of meals and in particular like the surf and turf. One particular experience left me questioning if I'll ever go back. My waitress sat us next to a hall-style room that had approximately 12 older, very loud women. I asked to be seated somewhere else but she assured me the doors could be shut to eliminate any noise. One of the 2 sliding doors were shut. Our waitress started the broth and left. After much dismay and 15 minutes later of loud women, she finally came back. This was after I asked another waiter to close the other door since it was still very loud and that we were upset. She tried but the other door only closed part way. Our waitress left us unattended for a very long time throughout this encounter. The male waiter, who was helping the loud women, was able to shut the door and was actually more attentive to us than our own waitress. Over the course of this 2.5 hour meal (which should have been 90 minutes or less, I decided not to leave a tip. This is an extremely rare thing for me to do but based on this service I felt it was warranted. I had another table in my line of view look back at my table giving the impression they felt bad for us. I've dined here 6 times and I haven't been back since.
(3)Madeleine K.
Our family's favorite restaurant for special occasions! Although most would say it is not good for kids, we usually come as a party of 9, 5 of which are kids. They either put is in the back or give us our own room so it works our great! The cheese is to die for, and I would highly recommend the teriyaki sirloin. The kids love the chili plate fondue and always request extra brownies. A but pricy, but a fun experience with amazing food!
(5)Demetra D.
I've been to this restaurant several times, and while its expensive, I don't find it outrageous. The food is very good and they give you plenty. I have never once left feeling under-fed, so I don't know what others may be talking about when they mention small portion sizes... The way I recommend eating at The Melting Pot when you're on a budget is by joining their email club. It offers many great deals. For example, today we got a four-course meal for 20.11 per person as a new years special.
(5)Nicole B.
My favorite restaurant in Appleton, it is fun, delicious and if you love chocolate, they have the best desert on earth! Great wine selection as well. Atmosphere is so nice! Very expensive though. Plan on spending around $100 for two at least, if you have wine, probably more. It is also not a quick dining experience, plan on being there for 1 1/2 - 2 hours, not because there's a wait, just because it's fondue so the dining experience takes longer, but is worth it!
(5)Jenny S.
Cool, thanks for the small portion of raw meat and this overly spiced broth. Oh that was $20? Great. Ugh, extremely overrated!! It's expensive and not that good. I honestly think people just come here for the novelty of it. Service is incredibly slow and seating was awkward. There were plenty of open seats and we got sat next to a table with a couple celebrating their anniversary. Maybe I'm a little biased because I am used to dining in big cities but there has to be something else in Appleton considered "fine dining".
(1)Cale R.
Went here while on a field trip with my senior French class. It's a little expensive, but not ridiculous. We opted for the full dining service, which runs you about $25 per person. The first course was the cheese/bread/apple course. It was good after the cheese thickened up. DO NOT eat it right when they say it's edible. You'll get a mouthful of the alcohol base, as the cheese kinda falls off due to it not being completely melted/mixed quite yet. But after a few minutes, it's all good for you to dig in to. As far as the flavor- We chose the cheddar fondue, which had a good balance of sharpness to it with the right texture that you expect in cheese fondue. We also had a Swiss fondue, and that had a huge aftertaste. Only order this if you're 100% with a very strong wine aftertaste. The Caesar salad was just that -- a Caesar salad. Although a little small, it's not your main course. Don't worry about it. Now for the main course. You get three decent size shrimp, and 3 pieces of both chicken and steak. They are a little smaller than a golf-ball. The chicken is average. Same goes for the shrimp. You can definitely taste the freshness, but the flavor isn't far off from what you'd expect to find at most restaurants. The steak, however, is very good. The 2-minute time it takes to cook the steak gives you a perfectly cooked bite-sized piece of tender goodness. Definitely save this for last, as it's the best. Finally, the dessert. This was truly exceptional. Up until the dessert came out, I was relatively content, but this made me giddy. The chocolate was perfect. Rich, creamy, smooth, everything. My group chose the turtle fondue and the yin-yang fondue, and both were equally delicious. The restaurant provides an honest platter of strawberries, marshmallows, fudge, red-velvet cake, rice crispy treats, bananas, and a slim piece of cheesecake, all of which can be dipped in the chocolate with ease using the sticks they provide. This made the restaurant awesome. In the future, I'd only come here for the chocolate fondue. Everything is good, but $25/person just isn't worth it for a full meal. Take your girlfriend/wife somewhere else for food, then here for dessert. It would run you about $20 for the both of you, tip included. Getting a $15/person meal somewhere else would probably be a better, more filling idea.
(4)Robin L.
Decent prices for the only fondue place in town. I usually only go for dessert which is considerably cheaper. The wine list is pretty extensive. Our server was very attentive.
(4)John F.
Fun to do once or twice but $150 for 4 people and still be hungry when you leave is too much! I did enjoy most of the meal and had some fun cooking but the meat was only so so.
(2)Rachel W.
I recently came here while on a business trip with several co-workers. We all enjoyed the drinks and food. There is a great selection of meats to choose from, I did the "pick three" combo. Our server was attentive, but not too much so. Everyone was so full we couldn't even think about ordering dessert. Too bad as I really would have loved to try the chocolate fondue.
(4)Joey T.
Been there twice with the wife and have enjoyed it both times. Amazing how time flies with great food, wine and company. I am a huge fan. This is a very quiet and romantic place to eat for those who are interested.
(4)Kristen Z.
As far as fondue restaurants go, this place is pretty decent. It is basically the only place in central Wisconsin you can get full-menu fondue, so bear that in mind if you have your heart set on this type of dining experience. Overall, I don't think the price is terrible for the quantity you receive. We did the full service experience (as we had a large group), so I believe it is a pre-set menu. It was a little over $20 per person for a cheese/bread appetizer, salad, main entree (steak, chicken, shrimp, ravioli and veggies) and desert (cakes, fruit and chocolate). The food itself was pretty decent - though nothing exceptional. The staff was friendly and helped along those that have never eaten at a fondue place before. The only real downside for us was that it took forever; we were here for almost three hours.
(3)Paul E.
When you come to the Melting Pot, be prepared for a fantastic dining experience with an amazing staff and a good price-point! You are never rushed to eat and get out like you are at so many other American restaurants. You have time to actually enjoy your food AND your company, something so many of us need more of. Although they do offer free WiFi, put away your Blackberries and iPhones and enjoy life. If you leave hungry, then you've done it wrong. The staff lets you know right away that you can have as many "dippers" as you like. The cheese fondue is always the perfect blend of ale, cheese and seasonings, and the servers are always happy to adjust the amounts of beer or seasonings or cheese to your liking. When the main course comes, again, seasoned just right and they walk you through the cooking times for each item. When the chocolate fondue comes, it's like heaven. Sweet, yes...but it IS dessert. We prefer the milk chocolate with a touch of Chambord - try it!! It's absolutley delicious, and if you prefer to have more fruit instead of brownies or rice krispy treats, they'll always do that for you! The intimacy of the Melting Pot in Appleton is an experience to be enjoyed and savored, never hurried. With friends, business colleagues, family or a special someone, this is the restaurant for every occasion.
(5)Anthony E.
At the Melting Pot, be prepared for a nice experience with good food and a fantastic staff! Hasty dining and a "eat-and-get-out" attitude will not be found here! Sit back, relax and enjoy yourself. You will never leave hungry thanks to the helpfull staff. They let you know immediately that you can have all the dippers you want. The cheese fondue is perfect in it's combination of cheese, beer and broth and the waiter is always happy to make adjustments to suit your tastes. For the main course, they teach you proper cooking times and safe handling for each item. Again, they are more than happy to make flavor adjustments tailored to your tastebuds!! The chocolate fondue is heavenly. get Dark Chocolate with Grand Marnier and nuts!!! I like it with strawberries and those Oreo marshmallows...yummy! They have free WiFi here, but do you really NEED it? The staff at the Melting Pot makes sure your experience is never rushed, but relaxed and special. I would recommend this restaurant for EVERY occasion no matter who you're dining with!
(5)Eddie H.
I had tons of fun at The Melting Pot, and have come to love fondue. The food was very quality and delectable. It pays off in the memories you will make with friends and family. Great for birthdays, anniversaries, or a night out. (Make sure to get the chocolate!!!!) A guaranteed great time!
(4)Ivy C.
i would have chosen "french" as the type of food, however, this fondue franchise has made it very "american". again, like a lot of places in wisconsin, this place is very bad for a diet. be prepared to spend $20-$40, depending on the meal that you want. i came with a coworker and we were stuffed full! i've been to the one in san jose, california, so i knew what to eat and what not to eat. you start off with a salad. though it is fresh and the dressing is good, just take a couple of bites and leave the rest or else you won't be able to finish the rest. then there is the cheese fondue with bread. i forget what cheese i chose, but definitely very very good dip. the fondue for the meats, seafood, and main course parts were pretty good. i think after cooking your food, it's the dips that they give you that bring out the flavours. lastly, i believe the best part of the meal was the dessert chocolate fondue. get anything that contains alcohol mixed in since they'll probably flambe it (light it on fire) then mix it into the dip. you can an array of dessert fruit, strawberries, bananas, kiwis, and marshmallows, cheesecake, and other cake to dip into that sumptuous chocolate. if i could come here just for the dessert fondue as a meal, i probably would. you come out of there at least 5 pounds heavier. the funny thing though, i went to a cliient site and a guy there told me he ate here and was not full at all. he called the stuff "you just dip little pieces of bread and food and that's it". now this guy is a pretty heavy set dood, like the type of guy you wonder how he'll ever get a girlfriend. so i didn't really into account his experience in this place b/c EVERY time i've had fondue (melting pot, la fondue in saratoga), i've been stuffed, and i can eat a lot.
(3)