A few nights ago we went to The Melting Pot in Brea, CA. I have wanted to go to this ‘fondu’ restaurant for years. Partially for the retro-ness of it and partially because I heard how much fun it was. The decor was lovely and cave-like and romantic. (Which was a totally waste since we brought my kids and my mom with us). We were seated in a secluded room with a giant booth which had a cook top RIGHT in the table. The seats were insanely too low, which meant the cooktop was just about at face level. We ordered the whole 4 course meal, which began with the cliche breads, veggies and apples to be dipped in boiling hot cheese. Well the kids took right to this…as it was a cross between a science experiment and roasting marshmallows over a campfire. And I have to say it was DELICIOUS. Because cheese and bread? Yeah…YUM. Next was salads, followed by the protein course. Out came plates of RAW meat. Chicken, steak, shrimp all ready to be eaten-once we provided the labor. The Fondu Master brought BOILING pans of hot oil and hot broth to the table. Remember this was the table that was at eye level for my kids. Then we all started placing our little sticks of raw meat into the boiling hot pans. I gotta say…it was NERVE wracking. I don’t even let my kids near the stove when I am cooking at home and now I was telling how to do it for themselves. It was insane actually. But we proceeded…and got very very full. It was delicious. Happily, the boiling hot cauldrons of death were taken away and replaced with CHOCOLATE. Along with a plate of brownies, cheesecake, strawberries and bananas. We dipped. We ate. And we were happy. This was interactive dining for sure. But next time I am bringing a booster seat FOR ME and a burn kit for the kiddies. Because I will be prepared for the inevitable.
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i’ve always wanted to go to the melting pot, but i live in terror of hellboy being in close proximity to so many vats of hot liquids… and, i live in fear mf my being in suh close proximity to so many hot caloric liquids
I loooooove fondue restaurants. But I generally skip the “entree” and focus on what’s really important – cheese and chocolate.
My husband and I spent a couple of years in Minneapolis where everyone did fondue. Nothing like a cold wintery night and some hot dipping!
I am old enough to remember when people routinely did this at HOME, with the boiling pots of oil and all. I wonder how many houses burned down in the middle of the party?
Oh, I adore The Melting Pot! We go every year or so, usually for our anniversary or with our respective mum’s for Mother’s Day. Bread and cheese are lovely, but I like the apples, too.
Melting Pot is one of the few places T will willingly eat vegetables.
Which chocolate did you have? Mmm, Yin and Yang…drool…
Shade and Sweetwater,
K
that’s SO Cool! We don’t have fondue restaurants here but maybe I could pull out my own retro fondue pot here for my kidds to use.
We have a Melting Pot here but I hear it is really expensive.
Mmmmmm, oil. It’s well under $100 a barrel now.
Bienvenue en France! “Fondu” is a FRench word, no? Or , Swiss one with French language?
I come from Suzanne B.
I really love what I’ve read in your good humored blog. I’ll come back soon.
You were right, eating a Fondue is one of the best moment family can share, and so a friendly way to eat together.