If you
haven’t been to a
Melting Pot restaurant
then you have no idea
what you are missing;
but you are about to
find out. Imagine
sitting back, relaxing
and sharing a
mouthwatering
four-course fondue
experience with your
closest friends.
The Bedford location
recently opened on
Burlington Road and
offers one of the most
unique dinners we had
ever been to. With more
than 100 locations
nationwide, we were
surprised that we had
never heard of The
Melting Pot before in
our travels but were
surely glad we stopped
in for dinner. Here,
guests can sample savory
fondue, tasty salads and
sumptuous chocolate
desserts allowing each
diner to “dip into
something different”
each bite.
If you are looking for a
romantic night out,
request a secluded and
romantic table down
“Lover's Lane,” a
seating area designed
specifically to create a
truly intimate
atmosphere for couples.
For larger parties, a
private banquet room
(with a cozy fireplace)
accommodates groups of
up to 36 guests.
Co-owner Kirsten Fischer
suggested we sample the
Big Night Out, which
starts with a selection
of cheese fondue,
individual salad, entrée
an cooking style and
ends with a selection of
chocolate sampling.
We took her suggestion
and started with the
Wisconsin trio creamy
cheese fondue. The
blend of creamy Fontina
and Butterkase with
buttermilk blue cheese
and white wine was
complemented with a hint
of sherry and flavorful
scallions.
Guests are then invited
to sample an individual
salad. We chose the
mushroom salad
(overloaded with
mushrooms) but topped
with a creamy parmesan
Italian dressing. The
chef’s salad was a
particular standout,
loaded with crisp
greens, sliced eggs,
smoked ham and
cucumbers.
We were then requested
to select from four
cooking styles for our
entrees – court bouillon
(homemade seasoned
vegetable broth),
Bourguignonne
(European-style fondue
in canola oil), Mojo
style (Caribbean
seasoned bouillon with
garlic and citrus) and
the coq au vin (herbs,
mushrooms, garlic and
spices in a burgundy
wine). We chose the
latter and were glad we
did as we later
discovered it was the
most popular
alternative.
For dinner, guests
choose from a variety of
entrees including filet
mignon, lobster, breast
of chicken, duck,
shrimp, salmon and more.
We sampled the Fondue
Fusion, which for $92
per couple, included
lobster tail, shrimp,
ahi tuna, teriyaki
sirloin, tenderloin,
penang chicken and
potstickers, a
scrumptiously delightful
selection. Our server
showed us how to cook
each piece, taking care
not to overcook each one
in the fondue pot
located on our table.
Just when you think you
don’t have any room
left, be sure to save
room for dessert, which
features decadent
mouthwatering chocolate
fondue served with
dipping items including
fresh strawberries,
cheesecake,
marshmallows, pound cake
and brownies. We
selected the Flaming
Turtle chocolate fondue,
which consisted of milk
chocolate, caramel and
chopped pecans. Other
fondues included
Amaretto Meltdown,
Cookies ‘n Cream,
Chocolate S’mores, Yin &
Yang (half dark
chocolate and half white
chocolate) as well as
the Bailey’s Irish Cream
Dream.
The first Melting Pot
restaurant opened in
Maitland, Florida in
1975 with a menu that
consisted of just three
items: beef fondue,
Swiss cheese fondue and
milk chocolate fondue
for dessert. Within six
years, there were five
more Melting Pot
restaurants in Orlando,
Tallahassee, Tampa and
Gainesville.
The idea of fondue
actually originated in
Switzerland as a clever
and tasty way of using
up hardened cheese.
Fondue is derived from
the French verb fondre
and means “to melt.”
While most people define
fondue as a “thick
cheese sauce in which
bread chunks are
dipped,” the Melting Pot
takes it to a whole new
level. We truly enjoyed
our evening of
flavorful fondue
cooking.
The Melting Pot
Burlington/Bedford also
features a full bar
(complete with specialty
drinks) and an extensive
wine list of
approximately 180
different wines.
The Melting Pot
213 Burlington Road
