Thursday, Oct. 15, 2009
melt in your mouth delights
the melting pot
Photo by Ashley Morris
Flaming Turtle fondue at the Melting Pot in Myrtle Beach.
Setting the table
The Melting Pot is a posh hotspot bubbling and brewing at each table nook and booth with a culinary concept that became a hit in the states nearly 50 years ago.
Fondue is a rare treat: A socially acceptable way for servers to arrive at your table with a platter of food that's raw and uncooked and for guests to dismiss and laugh away the "no re-dipping" rule.
Like many who reserve an intimate table for two at The Melting Pot to celebrate anniversaries or other romantic occasions, I had dined here years ago while on a date. On my recent refresher four-course meal, I tumbled into a corner booth on a romantic night out with my mom and 2-year-old, who happily squeezed into a booster seat beside me.
After we were promptly greeted at the entrance and swept away past the wall fountain and cosmopolitan confines of the dimly lit bar, the route to our table revealed couples and groups chatting and dipping skewers into their fondue pot centerpieces. That's the fun of fondue. No waiting for food in awkward silence, but active participation by each person and a constant flow of food service.
Down the hatch
Service for us was provided by Daniel, a tall cutie who towered above the hanging teardrop light over our table and proved to be ever-helpful in guiding us in our choices for the evening.
It didn't take long for us to discover that the four-course, limited-time, prix-fixe Alpine Big Night Out feature menu would probably be the best option for the three of us. We decided on the (gulp) $86-per-couple dinner.
First things first, however, and that's picking our potions. It was a glass of Beringer blush for Mom ($6), a sweet and sassy Wildberry Martini for me ($8) and hearty cup of milk for the little one.
First course was the Cheese Fondue, which consisted of a strong Swiss blend on the feature menu, so for my son's sake, we went with cheddar cheese instead. It's nice that you can swap anything out that doesn't suit your fancy on this salute-to-Switzerland/Germany/France menu. The fondue pot placed on the hot plate table with smoke rising, followed by Daniel stirring in cheddar and Swiss cheeses, garlic, lager beer and seasonings, proved to be the perfect entertainment for, well, everyone. We then eagerly poked our skewers into bread cubes, green apple chunks and chopped veggies that were piled into little bowls, dipped, swirled, slid onto our pewter plates and enjoyed each bite with an "mmmmm." My son even surprisingly took over as the hospitable cheese host, constantly asking Mom and I if we wanted more by dipping into the pot as soon as we could safely pierce a piece of bread. Interactive family fun.
Second course was the Alpine Ridge Salad, a glorious plate of mixed greens topped with oven-roasted tomatoes, Gruyere, Raclette and Fontina cheeses, hard-boiled eggs, honey-roasted almonds and shallot vinaigrette dressing. It sure beat a regular ol' house salad served at most places.
Third course was the entrée. We chose Fondue Fusion in a classic Court Bouillon vegetable broth. The serving of lobster tail, filet mignon, New York strip, applewood-smoked bratwurst, Hefeweizen-marinated shrimp, roasted garlic-crusted chicken, sun-dried tomato ravioli pockets and fresh veggies (mushrooms, broccoli and potatoes) was more than enough for two adult, plus one preschool, appetites.
With barely enough room for another bite, we needed to choose our fourth - and most important - course: dessert chocolate. Forgoing the feature menu's White Chocolate Apple Cobbler Fondue, we opted for the Flaming Turtle, with chopped pecans and caramel folded into luxurious milk chocolate. It was heaven, as we dipped strawberries, sliced bananas, brownie bits, cheesecake, Rice Krispies treats, marshmallows and pound cake into the dark delight. The flambéed pre-show presentation by Daniel was jaw-dropping for my son.
Check, please
A night out at The Melting Pot is a wonderful treat - from greeting to service to food quality. There's a reason folks in Myrtle Beach reserve tables here for special, memorable nights. I just wish I could afford to pamper myself on four courses more often. The nice thing is, those of us on a budget can still treat themselves to fondue by slimming down to a dinner of cheese and chocolate fondue or a salad and entrée. The options are a bottomless pot of fondue.
The Melting Pot is located at 5001 N. Kings Highway, Myrtle Beach (in Rainbow Harbor). Hours are 5-10 p.m. daily. Reservations are recommended. For additional info, call 692-9003 or visit www.meltingpot.com.