Thursday, November 18, 2010

There is a duck in there somewhere

 A week and a half ago on November 5th was our 3 year anniversary (Nicole and I). It also marked our one year anniversary of being engaged. The past year has just flown by. It feels like I just proposed the other day. I knew that if I didn't plan something special that I would be in trouble. Since we don't live together yet it is difficult to plan a romantic evening. I also didn't want to go to any ol' restaurant that we have been do 38 times already. I chose a restaurant that we have only been to once before (for my birthday last year, I would of blogged about this restaurant then but I didn't start my blog until after my birthday). I made reservations at The Melting Pot. It's a dining establishment where you get to cook your own lobster at your table. No, no, no, that sounds barbaric. It is actually a fondue place.

Last year there were 8 of us with only 2 fondue pots at the table so it seemed a little crowded. I figured it would make for a better experience if it was just the two of us (cue "Just the Two of Us" by Dr. Evil). And like most of the time, I was right. They seated us at Lover's Row which was a little booth with a table and ell shaped seating where you are forced with cuddle with your partner. It was very romantic. The lights were dimmed in that section and there was a single candle on the table with an anniversary card from the restaurant signed by the staff. Nice touch Melting Pot, way to earn your tips.

I'm not going to lie, the menu is a bit pricey but it's not one of those places you would go all the time anyway. We went all out and got the four course meal, cheese fondue, salads, main course and chocolate fondue. We chose the cheddar fondue with had some Swiss and other spices. That was served with apples, bread and veggies for dipping. Boy do I love me some cheese. The salads were very flavorful and delicious. For our main course fondue we had a Caribbean style oil. Nicole got the filet mignon while I chose an assortment of meat. My dish came with pork, chicken, shrimp, teriyaki steak, duck and pot stickers. The meat is served raw and your job is to throw it on a fondue fork and cook it the way you want it. Cooking time is very minimal, only need 2 minutes per slice of meat. Accompanying our dishes were more veggies (potatoes, mushrooms, broccoli, asparagus and peppers) and 5 dipping sauces (curry, ginger, teriyaki, cream cheese and some other white one).

With it only being the two of us it was a lot less crowded in the fondue pot and cooking time was quick. When it was the 8 of us last year it took forever to cook our food. I wasn't too thrilled with the duck, it had a ginger glaze and I'm not a big fan of ginger. However the teriyaki steak was delicious, I wish I had more of that. We were both pretty much full after our main course but we had to make a little room for dessert. How often do we get to eat chocolate fondue? We chose the flaming turtle which is milk chocolate, caramel and chopped pecans which was flambeed right in front of us. It was a pretty cool sight and I wish I had a picture to show you but Nicole was too slow with the camera.

For dippers we had strawberries, marshmallows coated in chocolate, cheesecake, brownies, bananas and sesame chicken....... there was no chicken (just seeing if you are still paying attention). More chocolate fondue please!!! We should of started with that. We had a tough time deciding on what chocolate fondue to get. There are so many tasty looking choices.

I recommend The Melting Pot for 2 to 4 people, any more and it seems a bit crowded. It's perfect for two people. It is definitely a different dining experience. Getting to cook your food at your table is fun and it leaves a lot of room for talking. The night doesn't go by so fast. Oh I forgot one of the best things I had. Order up a Love Martini, it is so yummy. It might be a girly drink but I don't care. It has peach schnapps, coconut rum, cranberry juice and fresh strawberries. Our bill came to about $125 including tip. At least try it once and see what you think, it may not be for everybody.

We also did something the next day for our anniversary which I will save for another post cuz this one is way too long already. I also have to talk about our anniversary presents next time. Could it be a real live pony or a banjo perhaps?

17 comments:

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Haven't been to the one near us, but one of these days.
After you guys get married, you're going to have a lot of anniversaries to keep up with - especially as women tend to remember all of them.

Copyboy said...

I'm salivating from your Melting Pot description. Got my computer all wet. Darn.

Unknown said...

Mmmmmmmmm....cheese......

Anonymous said...

Le **sigh** and Le Yum! What a nice romantic evening. We don't have many fondue places here, instead we have Vietnamese Hot Pot noodle joints. Similar idea but wit boiling water and bok choy instead of cheese and chocolate.
Congratulations on your anniversary! - G

Anonymous said...

Le **sigh** and Le Yum! What a nice romantic evening. We don't have many fondue places here, instead we have Vietnamese Hot Pot noodle joints. Similar idea but wit boiling water and bok choy instead of cheese and chocolate.
Congratulations on your anniversary! - G

Arlee Bird said...

A female blogger did a post a few months back about going to a Melting Pot for her annniversary and when I saw the price in her post I figured it was a bit too much in my current no income state. It would probably be hard to get my wife to try something like this anyway. I had to practically tie her up and blindfold her to drag her to a Thai restaurant for the first time.

So for now I'll stick to our favorite Thai place ($25 for two including tip and darn good foof) or for $20 there's Boston Market--hey maybe not so romantic, but it's fast, tasty, and the one near us now has this really cool new fancy Coke machine with like 130 different flavors of sodas.

Lee
Tossing It Out

Baby Sister said...

That sounds awesome...I love cheese and chocolate so it sounds like I'm going to have to try it out...nummy.

TS Hendrik said...

I must try this Melting Pot you speak of. Sounds delicious.

Anonymous said...

nice i like your post!
Following you bro!

Marlene said...

Haven't been to a melting pot in probably close to two years now - but it is good! Pricey, yup.

Pat Tillett said...

You have just made me so darn hungry! I'd say that you are quite the catch! I can't even remember my own kids birthdays. I have NO IDEA the date my wife and i became engaged. I do know she always talks about the "month-a-versairy of our first date. Seriously? I'm supposed to remember to do something the 10th of every month?

Sorry, this is about you, not me!
It's really good that you not only know the dates, but you seem to value them as well. Your wife to be, will always be very happy about those things!

Rawknrobyn.blogspot.com said...

I just saw a commercial on this place. You weren't in it, though, but chocolate fondue? Move over. xo

Cheeseboy said...

Hoping so much for the Banjo!

I love that place, but I had no idea that they have a lovers row. I suppose I am going to have to take my lover.

Hart Johnson said...

Happy Anniversaries!!! That sounds like a great spot for dinner. I haven't had fondue for YEARS but it was a special occasion dinner at home when I was young--in fact we did it for a couple dances in high school. Nice to have a special dinner to celebrate!

The Invisible Seductress said...

Congrats!!!!!!


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Chuck said...

Man you are right on with this one. The Melting Pot is a dacadent place to eat. My wife loves it so when the closest location closed down or moved, we did not try and find a replacement. It is pricey but a damn fine time. Glad you and Nicole had a good times at the Pot!

Bossy Betty said...

Yummy! Thanks for taking us along. Oh, and I vote for the real, live pony.