Location: 4931 South Route 59, Naperville, IL 60564 -- just North of 111th street
The Melting Pot is a classy, modern restaurant that serves up different types of fondue. It is located in a fairly noticeable spot and stands taller than most buildings around it, so it's a cinch to find. The building looks like it was recently constructed and is relatively clean. The inside of the building is modernly decorated with dull colors creating a calming ambiance. The soothing classical music and the dim lights add to the relaxing vibe.
As we waited to be seated, it was obvious that an employee had called in sick or was running late, since there was only one waitress working the whole restaurant. This was not a problem since we arrived when the restaurant opens, and only three other customers were waiting. Since it was our first time dining at The Melting Pot, the waitress offered us some assistance which was very helpful. She also warned us when she turned on our burner which was probably a good thing to know. The restaurant is very private with booths confined to their own personal spaces allowing guests to eat and interact without being bothered by others. This aspect of the restaurant was rather enjoyable.
At The Melting Pot, the first course served is a cheese fondue. The menu offers six different kinds of cheese combinations from Swiss Cheese Fondue to Spinach Artichoke Fondue. Since we both have spicy taste palates, we ordered the Fiesta Fondue which consists of cheddar cheese, lager beer, salsa, and jalapeno peppers. The dippers include broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, apples, fresh bread, and tortilla chips. We added all the chopped jalapeno we were given, but the cheese still only had a faint hint of spiciness which was disappointing. Also, the lager beer gave the cheese a recognizable, bitter taste. Perhaps, milk or cream would allow for a better, cheesier taste. Out of all the dippers, the broccoli, fresh bread, and tortilla chips tasted the best while the apples, cauliflower, and carrots were not a tasty match for the cheese fondue. All in all, I enjoyed the Fiesta Cheese Fondue, but for the small serving, the price of $16 is a little to expensive for an appetizer (it serves 1-2 people).
For our entree, we ordered the Pacific Rim platter which includes teriyaki -marinated sirloin, shrimp (2), citrus-marinated pork tenderloin, duck, chicken, and two vegetable dumplings. We decided to split the entree since the prices seemed high, and we were also ordering cheese and chocolate fondues. All the meats, besides the shrimp, were served as three bite size pieces. Also served with the entree were potatoes and mushrooms. A tray of six different kinds of sauces, from curry sauce to teriyaki sauce, was served to compliment the meats and vegetables. We ordered the Court Bouillon as our cooking style which is a seasoned vegetable broth. Each of the meats take about two minutes to cook, the dumpling takes 40 seconds, and the potatoes and mushrooms take around five minutes. The duck and pork were not up to my standards while the chicken was basically flavorless so I dipped in the sweet and sour sauce which enhanced the flavor a bit. The mushrooms and potatoes were good but not great. The tastiest parts of the entree were the dumpling, the shrimp, and the teriyaki-marinated sirloin. Overall, the entree was also to pricey ($24) for the portion served. I would recommend the Shrimp and Sirloin pairing for the entree which I believe was $20.
There is no question that the best part of our experience at The Melting Pot was the dessert. We ordered the artsy Yin & Yang Chocolate Fondue. Dark chocolate (we substituted with milk chocolate) and white chocolate make up this delicious chocolate indulgence which is served in the traditional Chinese pattern of a Ying Yang. The Chocolate Fondues are served with strawberries, bananas, Rice Krisie Treats, red velvet cake, brownies, marshmallows, and cheesecake. My personal favorite was the red velvet cake dipped in the white chocolate side of the fondue. It was one of the most luscious things I have ever eaten. Although the amount of sugar I devoured in that one bight was unhealthy as it gets, the few seconds I spent in chocolate heaven were well worth it. The rest of the dippers were also heavenly when paired with the rich, creamy chocolates. I would gladly pay the $16 fee anytime for a few minutes in a chocolate dreamland.
Overall, The Melting Pot is above average in the food category, but the price of the food and the relatively small portions overshadow the quality of the food.Some people will build it up to be the best thing ever, but really, it's not. There are much cheaper places with much better food. However, most restaurants don't allow a three hour meal or a similar setting where people can gather and connect. The Melting Pot offers a unique experience in this aspect. It is a great place to dine for a special occasion where people want to socialize and interact with each other. I would also recommend dining somewhere else for dinner and then stopping at The Melting Pot for the incredible chocolate fondue.
7.5/10
The Melting Pot is a classy, modern restaurant that serves up different types of fondue. It is located in a fairly noticeable spot and stands taller than most buildings around it, so it's a cinch to find. The building looks like it was recently constructed and is relatively clean. The inside of the building is modernly decorated with dull colors creating a calming ambiance. The soothing classical music and the dim lights add to the relaxing vibe.
As we waited to be seated, it was obvious that an employee had called in sick or was running late, since there was only one waitress working the whole restaurant. This was not a problem since we arrived when the restaurant opens, and only three other customers were waiting. Since it was our first time dining at The Melting Pot, the waitress offered us some assistance which was very helpful. She also warned us when she turned on our burner which was probably a good thing to know. The restaurant is very private with booths confined to their own personal spaces allowing guests to eat and interact without being bothered by others. This aspect of the restaurant was rather enjoyable.
At The Melting Pot, the first course served is a cheese fondue. The menu offers six different kinds of cheese combinations from Swiss Cheese Fondue to Spinach Artichoke Fondue. Since we both have spicy taste palates, we ordered the Fiesta Fondue which consists of cheddar cheese, lager beer, salsa, and jalapeno peppers. The dippers include broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, apples, fresh bread, and tortilla chips. We added all the chopped jalapeno we were given, but the cheese still only had a faint hint of spiciness which was disappointing. Also, the lager beer gave the cheese a recognizable, bitter taste. Perhaps, milk or cream would allow for a better, cheesier taste. Out of all the dippers, the broccoli, fresh bread, and tortilla chips tasted the best while the apples, cauliflower, and carrots were not a tasty match for the cheese fondue. All in all, I enjoyed the Fiesta Cheese Fondue, but for the small serving, the price of $16 is a little to expensive for an appetizer (it serves 1-2 people).
For our entree, we ordered the Pacific Rim platter which includes teriyaki -marinated sirloin, shrimp (2), citrus-marinated pork tenderloin, duck, chicken, and two vegetable dumplings. We decided to split the entree since the prices seemed high, and we were also ordering cheese and chocolate fondues. All the meats, besides the shrimp, were served as three bite size pieces. Also served with the entree were potatoes and mushrooms. A tray of six different kinds of sauces, from curry sauce to teriyaki sauce, was served to compliment the meats and vegetables. We ordered the Court Bouillon as our cooking style which is a seasoned vegetable broth. Each of the meats take about two minutes to cook, the dumpling takes 40 seconds, and the potatoes and mushrooms take around five minutes. The duck and pork were not up to my standards while the chicken was basically flavorless so I dipped in the sweet and sour sauce which enhanced the flavor a bit. The mushrooms and potatoes were good but not great. The tastiest parts of the entree were the dumpling, the shrimp, and the teriyaki-marinated sirloin. Overall, the entree was also to pricey ($24) for the portion served. I would recommend the Shrimp and Sirloin pairing for the entree which I believe was $20.
There is no question that the best part of our experience at The Melting Pot was the dessert. We ordered the artsy Yin & Yang Chocolate Fondue. Dark chocolate (we substituted with milk chocolate) and white chocolate make up this delicious chocolate indulgence which is served in the traditional Chinese pattern of a Ying Yang. The Chocolate Fondues are served with strawberries, bananas, Rice Krisie Treats, red velvet cake, brownies, marshmallows, and cheesecake. My personal favorite was the red velvet cake dipped in the white chocolate side of the fondue. It was one of the most luscious things I have ever eaten. Although the amount of sugar I devoured in that one bight was unhealthy as it gets, the few seconds I spent in chocolate heaven were well worth it. The rest of the dippers were also heavenly when paired with the rich, creamy chocolates. I would gladly pay the $16 fee anytime for a few minutes in a chocolate dreamland.
Overall, The Melting Pot is above average in the food category, but the price of the food and the relatively small portions overshadow the quality of the food.Some people will build it up to be the best thing ever, but really, it's not. There are much cheaper places with much better food. However, most restaurants don't allow a three hour meal or a similar setting where people can gather and connect. The Melting Pot offers a unique experience in this aspect. It is a great place to dine for a special occasion where people want to socialize and interact with each other. I would also recommend dining somewhere else for dinner and then stopping at The Melting Pot for the incredible chocolate fondue.
7.5/10
