We recently chose a unique Jacksonville , Florida, restaurant to celebrate our 24-year-old son’s birthday. Jacksonville is host to a number of upscale restaurants, but we had never tried The Melting Pot before. As Jacksonville continues to attract new residents from all over the country, the variety of new and unique restaurants continues to grow. The Melting Pot fits into this new breed of restaurants.
The Melting Pot is relatively new to the Jacksonville area, having opened just two years ago. The price range runs from rather expensive to very reasonable. You can order a complete four course meal for two or you can order individual meals for each person at the table. If you merely want the classic fondue experience, you can just order the basic – a pot of fondue cheese sauce, with the typical breads, vegies and apples for dipping. If you choose the traditional route, merely to experience the basics of fondue, you order a fondue cooktop or pot for each person.The basic costs seven per person, and only comes with the vegetables, breads, and apples I noticed that a lot of people were only ordering the basic and a glass of wine, sort of as an after dinner get together with friends. Of course, having a French feel to it, the Melting Pot strongly encourages patrons to try one of their wines.
Since this was a birthday celebration, we chose the more expensive route. We ordered what is called The Big Night Out, or the full course. You order your cheese fondue, your choice of salad, an entree complete with several meat choices, two types of pasta, and fresh vegetables. For desert, each of the Big Night Out deals comes with dark chocolate rasberry fondue complete with a rasberry puree. You have the choice of two different fondue flavors that are at no additional charge. However, the other two are an additional $6 charge, if you do not order The Big Night Out. We ordered the Cog Au Vin, which has the flavoring of mushroom, garlic, additional spices, such a oregano, and a burgendy wine sauce added. To make things simplier, we all orderded the same. The Big Night Out runs from $79 to $92 a couple. We all orderd the $72 deal. We chose the Fondue Feast, which included filet mignon, sirlon, herb chicken, pork tenderloin, herb shrimp, a vegetable medly mix,. and two pastas, rigatoni, and ravioli. We asked if our preteen who doesn’t eat very much, could just share off of our meal. They agreed, however they said that usually they do not allow that, but since we were celebrating a birthday, it was fine. Of course our watier got an extra tip becuase he was so helpful with this.
We were probalbly one of just a few tables that did not order wine, however I refuse to drink in the presence of our daughter, as I believe in living what you preach. So we settled for tea instead. Some of the drinks looked inviting though. I might later try the Pomagranate Cosmo, which is made with Skyy Citrus Vodka, cranberry juice, and Pomagranate Liquor.
If you chose to order individual entrees, they run from $17 to $49 per entree. The cheapest was breast of chicken, and the most expensieve was lobster tails. Of course you can order everything else a la carte if desired.
The atmosphere was very unique, and felt a bit like P.F. Changs. I am still wondering if the same company owns The Melting Pot. I have heard rumors that they own Magianos and The Cheesecake Factory. However you do not have a lot of privacy. You can either eat at a private talbe, or eat at kindof a Fondue trough. Not much privacy there.
Would I recomeend The Meting Pot? If you have $150 you want to spend yes. But it is rather expensive. But I suppose one gets what they pay for. I just found it a little steep for the average guys pocketbook. I would suggest checking out prices, before you end up at a restaruant with reservations. It is hard to walk out , telling staff it is too expensive. This one trip out, took up our eating out budget for the entire month, but our son enjoyed it, so all in all it was worth it.
If you are interested , the Jacksonville Melting Pot is located aty 7860 Gate Parkway, near the University of North Florida campus. For anyone in the area, just head towards the St. Johns Town Center and you will find the restaurant. Their phone number is 904-642-4900. It is suggested that you call ahead for reservations, as there was a long wait. It sure was a unique experience. If you have a lot of money to spend, be sure and check it out. Otherwise, I find P.F. Changs right around the corner a better buy for the money.
Reference:
- Menu from The Melting Pot
