The Melting Pot

My husband and I went last night to try The Melting Pot for the first time and during restaurant week. The restaurant week menu was pretty good overall. We enjoyed three courses: cheese, salad, and entrée. The cheese portion was large enough that by the time we were done with our salads we were getting pretty full. The entrée portions weren’t that huge, but plenty considering we what we’d already eaten. Overall it was a fun and tasty experience.

This place was great!
Appetizer: Cheese fondue with dippers — the cheese was really unique, new, and delicious. We ordered the one with bacon in it and it was definitely the right choice.
Salad: the Caesar salad had candied walnut in it! AND IT WAS GREAT!
Entrée: Prepare to boil/​cook your own meat. My only complain about this was that it was a overwhelming the first time. There was 7 different sauces, 3 different types of meat, and differnet cooking time for each meat. Maybe a nice instruction sheet should be nice…
Over all, service and food was great. My only complain is parking, but I should’ve known better knowing that it was in Gaslamp.

Fondue? Fondon’t! Good service but it’s just a messy dining experience where the novelty of dipping small bits of meat in boiling pots of oil or broth, quickly wears thin and the results of your labor are disappointingly bland.

**GARY was an amazing server. He was very personable and explained everything very well!
During my first visit to The Melting Pot, I had an unforgettable experience. Immediately upon arrival, the smell of the restaurant was amazing. I ordered a strawberry lemonade considering I am not of age to drink. It was the perfect amount of sweet and not too overpowering. We started off with the loaded baked potato cheese fondue which was to die for! We also had the quattro formaggio fondue which was very good as well. Next we ordered the strawberry almond salad and the caesar salad. The salads were so great that we cleaned our plates. Following the salads, it was time for the main entrée. Steak, shrimp, lobster, and chicken all ready to be cooked in The Melting Pot’s signature broths. The experience was one of a kind, considering you cook your own food at the table. The quality of the meat was delicious. After the main course, it was dessert time. This was arguably the best part of the experience. S’mores melted chocolate with toasted marshmallow and graham cracker crumbs, with sponge cake, marshmallows, brownies, strawberries, and bananas as dippers. It was pure heaven. We also had the bananas foster with white chocolate and cinnamon, AMAZING! This was the best restaurant experience I have had thus far. I will definitely be returning and recommend this to everyone!

I give this 4 stars out of 5 only because we never got a text saying that it was our turn to be seated. Aside from that, the set up is really nice and dark and the food was AMAZING. The staff is really friendly and will easily direct you to their restroom which is located right outside and down the stairs.
What I do wanna talk about though is one of the managers. His name is Thomas. I really hope I did not spell his name wrong because that would be embarrassing AND disrespectful. Ok here’s the story though:
My party came in a bit on the louder side and I mean loud. It is safe to say we were «lit.» For those of you who don’t know, «lit» in this case is used to refer as us being drunk. We were bar hopping all over downtown waiting for the text to be seated. By the time we got fed up and wanted to check up, we were already fired up. As we were discussing the menu for restaurant week, Thomas, who was our server at the time, mentioned that there was a limit on drinking and subtly let us know that we were being too loud. I imagine he was annoyed already. I happen to be a reasonable and functioning drunk and so I try speaking with Thomas instead to let him know that the group is under control and that we’ll keep our cool.
Unfortunately, the head manager I assume had informed Thomas to cut us off and not serve us the bottle of wine that we were trying to order. Thomas worked a little magic and was able to get us said bottle. Not only that, but he also catered to everything we asked for such as making the food more spicy or offering to toss in more of my friends «favorite» vegetables. Thomas is a very understanding guy and we even got to know him a little bit.
The icing on the cake, however, is when my friend had left his glasses after we had already left the restaurant. We were standing outside and Thomas came running outside with his glasses. Talk about a champ. WAIT, im not done. As my group walks half a block down, we hear Thomas shout out our names as he is SPRINTING down the street in order to return my drunk friends cell phone. This guy is the man, he deserves to get recognized, and I think everyone should have him as a server.
Melting Pot: ⁴⁄₅
Thomas: ¹⁰⁄₅

Went here on a night that they had ladies night. I believe our server was named Casey. When we got there another server helped us out with drinks and Casey came a bit later. She apologized because she had several tables. The group I was with wanted to do the ladies night special but I didn’t because I don’t eat meat. I felt bad because either the whole table does it or no one. Casey was super accommodating and let me pick whatever I wanted to sub for the meat choices. Even though she had several other tables, she took her time with us and made the whole experience super enjoyable. She had an awesome attitude and I definitely enjoyed chatting with her. She did an amazing job and I will definitely go back and make sure to request her next time! The food was also great but it’s the service that stood out to me.

I LOVE this place. I dined in last night with my family and Joseph was our server. He was informative, friendly, funny, and his timing was right on throughout the entire meal. We never once wondered where our server was and our drinks always stayed full.
We all thought it was so nice that he brought out extra bread when we ran low and still had cheese left.
My favorite things to order at The Melting Pot is the spinach artichoke cheese, the teriyaki sirloin, and the smores chocolate. I could eat these things forever and never get sick of them.
The Manager, Chris, was also so helpful and kind. We will most definitely be back!

Beware. You have to cook your own food. Waah. Expensive for average tasting food. Service was ok. However, ambiance is romantic and relaxing.
Okay, so I’m not a fan of cooking your own food. I ordered the fusion plate that had lobster, chicken, shrimp, and meat. The waiter brings these RAW items and says «a minute for the shrimp, a minute and half for this…3 minutes for that… and blah blah blah blah. Im a terrible cook when I’m trying to enjoy conversations. My chicken was overcooked… yeah, it was totally my bad. I just couldn’t remember how long to keep the dang little chicken in there after 3 glasses of wine ;) Oh, which by the way, I did like their wine selection.
Another feature I did not enjoy was the fact that everyone at the table had to agree on the same cooking style & flavor. This is because there is only 1 burner per table. Truth be told I wanted to cook my items with a mojo style but everyone at the table wanted a basic bouillon that apparently goes with any items. Im being a brat right now, the court bouillon was ok but a girl wants what a girl wants.
Overall food was ok. Nothing super delish.
Now, service was friendly & welcoming & informative but FORGETFUL. Throughout the night I had to keep reminding our waiter for items that we had ordered but didn’t get. Even at the end of our experience he fixed our bill to take one of our drinks off because he forgot to bring it. That was nice but it was still a nuance.
I probably would not return because its not my type of place but I would recommend to try it because if you never have how will you know. Like me, I had to try a fondue restaurant and found out I didn’t enjoy it. HA.

The melting pot is an interested type of dinner.
I think it’s incredible and is the spot where my favorite and I love to go. She likes the style And the quality of food. It is without a doubt our favorite spot. The food is great but it’s all about going with someone you can talk to because the meal is at least an hour long if you do it right. Dinzie and I spent over 2 hours once because we just couldn’t stop talking and the wine was superb.
Food wise the sausage and teriyaki steak are my favs. All the cheese are good. The formaggio (I know I butchered it) is fav. Dessert anything non chocolate is the best Crème brûlée is the top.
Nothing better than staring into your best friend and lover’s eyes while enjoying a great meal and having a killer conversation.
Don’t go here if price is an issue. 140 – 200 is not difficult.
Staff and service are superb. Tall good looking gentlemen is my favorite. He always gives us great service and the short bartender is all about the customers. He is a true asset. Glad to hear he’s back from injury.
Special time or just celebrating being in love on a Wednesday. This is where to come.

Great atmosphere, very polite staff, delicious fondue.
My boyfriend and I showed up an hour before they closed and lost track of time. Ended up leaving almost an hour after they closed! Totally rude of us! But our server, Gary, was so patient and not pushy at all. He said he’d only been serving there for about a month yet he was still very knowledgeable about the menu and wines. I was very impressed with his service. He was willing to joke around with us when needed and was professional when needed as well. I am a vegetarian and Gary helped me find something on the menu and accommodated my picky diet.
The location was so cool! It was in an old bank so it had beautiful interior design that honored it’s history. The rooms were secluded and private– very romantic.
I give this location 5 stars because, although it was my first time at the melting pot and I was very confused with the method of ordering and the strangeness of cooking my own food, I still had a wonderful time.

Let’s write this review in the old year & forget this awful dining experience ever happened because I never plan on setting my foot in this Melting Pot location again; & don’t even want to remember today’s experience in 2016 whatsoever.
Going to MP for New Years has been a tradition for my guy and I for the last 5 years. We have been to a few locations over the years; but this location was near and dear to us because this was the first MP we ever went to together years ago. I was so stocked that we were going to bring in the New Year in SD and right away went on Open Table and made reservations a month in advance inputting my credit card information since it was required to even book a reservation. I also then called in requesting a bigger booth so we can sit next to each other since that’s how we’ve always done it; and been accommodated.
This morning I woke up dreaming of fondue and super excited for our reservations. 7pm couldn’t come fast enough! My boyfriend & I were considering Ubering it; but then decided to drive if they have valet which we weren’t sure whether it was offered or not. I phoned the restaurant soon as they opened at 5pm and asked the hostess who answered the phone how the parking situation was. She assured me that even though they don’t have their own parking or valet that we would still be taken care of since the hotel next to them valets for them as well. Awesome I thought; we shall drive. And so we drove; me talking my boyfriends ear off about what type of chocolate fondue we should get for desert.
After hitting a bit of traffic and my boyfriend getting major road rage I finally saw a big black awning with Melting Pot written on it in big bold white letters. We pulled up to the hotel next door just like the hostess told me to & waited & waited. Finally I rolled down my window & asked the valet guy if he feels like doing his job. He lazily walked over & asked me if I’m the hotel guest.
«Uh no, I’m here to dine at the Melting Pot»…
«Sorry ma’am can’t valet your car; hotel guests are priority & we aren’t valeting for the restaurant tonight»…are you effin’ kidding me? I begged & pleaded but he continued saying no with a blank look. He then smirked & said «good luck finding parking; your only bet is to pay $ 50 & park in one of them lots a few blocks away, it’s New Years you know». & he walked away. What an ass hat. But I can’t even be mad at him; he isn’t even linked to MP, but this is all MP’s fault. Considering I phoned in they could have told me correct information. Or even better if you are a damn restaurant in Gaslamp Quarter & you know you don’t offer parking or valet how about calling your guests who had reservations a month in advance and letting them know so we can pre plan? Very poorly ran & operated restaurant.
What pissed me off even more is when I phoned letting them know that whatever brilliant employee told me earlier valeting won’t be an issue is a huge issue and we are now looking for parking and will be late. All I got in return was «we only hold reservations for 15 minutes». Again, are you effin kidding me? This is your damn fault we are late because you can’t accommodate your dining guests with parking & can’t even provide correct information about valet.
So yes; the whole dinner started off on the wrong foot. We walked in pissed off. But I figured the magical dining experience at our favorite New Years dinner spot would fix it all up. Nope, wrong. It all went wrong to the point of making me question why in the hell we made MP our yearly tradition in the first place. From the hostess who kept mispronouncing my name to the ghetto version of Janey; when I told her 20 times that’s not how you say it; to the small booth we were provided despite my request. Instead of sitting next to each other as usual; we sat feet of huge long table apart. To the waiter (all though he was trying hard in the beginning) who kept trying to rush us thorough our already awful meal; to some dumb girl who came by two different times to ask us in a high pitched voice if we were all through; first time we just started eating the cheese fondue; second time our plates were full of meat; and seeing that she STILL asked if we were through. In all my life of dining out; which I do pretty much every day I’ve never felt so unwelcome to the point of being uncomfortable. I mean; how many damn times are you going to ask me if I’m through and want the check. Beyond ridiculous.
To add insult to injury some tool of a manger was making a show walking over to every table asking how everything is going; and when he came by our table I bluntly told him «it’s ok.» Instead of finding out what’s going on he straight up walked away. I’m sorry; if a guest tells you «it’s ok» that means it ain’t THAT ok.
$ 160 later for dinner plus $ 50 for parking I’m officially putting this location of Melting Pot on my shit list. Good riddance to bad rubbish; let this awful experience burn with the old year.

We stopped by just for dessert one night while in the Gas Lamp area. Their dark chocolate raspberry «fondue» was great. Service was very quick and we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. Definitely order for two if both of you enjoy chocolate as much as we do!

This place is phenomenal! We are first timers and we have been enjoying every minute of this place! I like the fact that you can fondue your meal in your own personal setting! The full course entrée is the best, it comes with a salad, cheese (loaded bake potato), meats, and dessert. Well of course we haven’t gotten to that part but so far so good! Although we didn’t make reservations service and seating was quick! If you are here in the gaslamp area try this place! And melting pot is located through the USA. Enjoy

My husband and I enjoyed an Amazing Experience at The Melting Pot for our Anniversary. Our server was Jay he was very informative and attentive as this was our first time to a fondue style restaurant. The food was delicious with a wide variety of choices to suit anyone’s taste FYI «Bring Your Appetite». The atmosphere was cozy and classy with a touch of old world San Diego as it sits inside one of many beautiful historic buildings located in The Gaslamp District.

The last time I was here was last year celebrating my boyfriend’s birthday. I have raised my rating from 4 to 5 stars because my most recent visit was amazing! Shoutout to Patricia, the best server ever.
My best friend and I wanted to celebrate our birthday together by having a cute little outing. I got an e-​mail a month or so prior to going, which is the main reason why I made reservations for us to go to The Melting Pot. It was for a «Ladie’s Night Out!» where a 4 course meal (cheese fondue, salad, petite protein dish, and chocolate fondue) was $ 29, and the 2 course (cheese and chocolate fondue) was $ 17.
We did the 2 course meal, with one gummy bear martini and a red sangria. The martini was strong and delicious! It had a real kick to it. The sangria was larger than expected, and fruity, to my liking, with a strong wine taste to it still.
So, it was my best friend’s first time at The Melting Pot, and he loved it. He’d definitely come back, and of course I would go with him. The cheese fondue was baked cheddar potato, and we demolished it. It was perfect. The dessert fondue was crème brûlée. Need I say more? I freaking love crème brûlée, and eating it in fondue form was just exquisite. It’s not on the regular menu, so I’m glad I got to taste it. The dessert to dip in the fondue made it even better… Oreo covered marshmallows, blondies, strawberries. Heaven. My best friend literally grunted after every dessert because because it was so good.
It was sweet because Patricia even brought us out a chocolate strawberry each for our birthday celebration. She was a sweetheart and made it entertaining and tantalizing when mixing up our fondue. The food was perfect, the drinks got us feeling on cloud 9, and Patricia was amazing! I love The Melting Pot.

He planned a romantic date while we were on vacation and had the confidence that the melting pot would do it right… and they did! We enjoyed a mojo entrée with a cheese and chocolate fondue as well. The melting pot has an eye for quality and customer service that just can’t be compared.
Also, our waiter, Jerrod, really made our night special. We weren’t just another table we were seen as real people that he had a conversation with that didn’t have to be just about the menu. We definitely asked the manager if there was any way that we could reach out to corporate to alone ledge him as a waiter that really goes above and beyond. (There is by the way!)
I hope that whomever comes here has just as great of social outing as we did.

Went here before a movie in the gaslamp with my girlfriend tonight. It completely exceeded our expectations. From the time we walked to the front door the customer service was outstanding.
We sat at a high top by the bar as happy hour was still on and we just wanted to share something small. Our waiter/​bartender Andrew was beyond friendly and so helpful. He gave suggestions about food, wine and chocolate at the end. He told us all about the dishes and what each ingredient was as he was preparing the fondue.
We got a nice visit from the manager too, she came to talk to us as she heard we were also Irish, very nice lady. Would go back for the customer service and friendliness alone. The food was so good, even though we only had a cheese and chocolate fondue and no meat. The cheese fondue came with a mix of bread, carrots, broccoli, cauliflower and apple. The chocolate fondue came with so many things to dip like strawberries, banana, brownie, marshmallow and so much more.
Definitely visit this place for happy hour! Great wine, food and prices! (And good shout on the movie Andrew!)

Dinner was extra-​ordinaire!!! Fantastic experience!!!
The molten lava cake fondue is highly recommended!!! We ended up re-​ordering cuz its soOoo delish.
I will definitely come back to this restaurant if ever we visit San Diego again!!!

Five options for you to enjoy the best from this place without breaking your bank
1. Go for happy hour. Their cheese and chocolate fondue are half off. Let’s face it, we come here for the cheese and the chocolate.
2. Get the groupon, come for happy hour for the cheese entrée and continue with your half priced full dinner.
3.Look at their promotions and specials. They have some really good ones rotating throughout the year that make the experience both delicious and affordable.
4. Attach the restaurant to an important event (birthday, anniversary…) and make it a tradition, at least that way you know for sure you will come once a year.
5. Combine 1 – 4 at your discretion.
You’re welcome!
Other than that, the place has delicious options, and you can’t never get enough of them.
See you at happy hour or for my anniversary!

If it were possible, I would give The Melting Pot a 4.5 overall rating. This is the first time we had ever been to the melting pot after swearing we would try it for almost 7 years! We had a blast! our server Joy, was amazing and really made our experience better; by entertaining us with her great personality and knowledge and by giving us really great menu recommendations. She even made us an adorable «date night» plate with chocolate covered strawberries which we really loved.
We went with the 4 course meal and started with the bacon jalapeño cheese fondue. First off, I think it’s important to know thAt it gets better and better as it continues to cook. At the beginning, we could really taste the white wine which was kind of funky but as it continued to heat up, it got better. Next time, I think we will try a different cheese fondue. Although it was good, it didn’t blow us away. The surf & turf entrée was amazing and the pacific rim was also very good which incorporated duck, a few different steaks, shrimp and chicken dumplings. The duck and chicken dumplings were a hit. The surf and turf was perfection and the sauces that accompany the entrees really make them special.
as mentioned early in this review, I did try different cheese fondues this time around and they were MUCH better. we tried the Quattro formaggio and the spinach artichoke and both were truly delicious. on top of the yummy food, gotta give a shoutout to our amazing server during restaurant week, Jay, who put up with us 7 girls wonderfully and made our girls night one to remember. Thanks Jay!