All Over Albany

I've been to the one in Baltimore. The experience is a lot of fun with a group of people, but it is pretty pricey. Honestly, couldn't you have just as much fun at home with a group of people and a pot of cheese?

... said kate on Jul 23, 2008 at 12:04 PM | link

I've been to both the Irvine and Brea California locations. The restaurant provides a warm atmosphere, a generous wine list, and a multitude of appetizer, entree, and dessert fondues to select. The wait staff was knowledgeable with both the menu items in addition to which wines compliment your selection.

My last visit involved a group of six and comprised appetizer, entrée, and dessert courses with two bottles of wine. Our total bill including tip came out to $40.00 per person. An experience well worth the price.

... said JAS on Jul 23, 2008 at 12:17 PM | link

I visited the Melting Pot with my husband when I lived in Orlando and it was a blast. We ordered the "Big Night Out" and nearly had to be rolled out of there when we were done-- it was so much food! But it was really fun and we thought the food was great. The cheese and chocolate are what you would expect, but we had the most fun with the meats, sizzling broth, and all the sauces that they bring out to dip them in. Definitely worth a splurge every once in a great while (but one that must be followed up with some serious gym time!).

... said Amy on Jul 23, 2008 at 1:03 PM | link

I've been to Melting Pots in Scottsdale, AZ and Sarasota FL. Had a great time at both places, and plan to try the new Albany location. I'm sure the novelty wears off after a few visits, though.

... said kerosena on Jul 23, 2008 at 1:17 PM | link

I went to a Melting Pot in South Carolina seven years ago, and I think I'm still a little bit full. The food was amazing--there's really nothing like getting to not just slather cheese and chocolate all over everything, but also getting to deep-fry your own dinner. DIY genius!

... said Siobhan on Jul 23, 2008 at 1:29 PM | link

I'd rather go to Bailey's. Tastiest fondue around these parts!

... said Mel on Jul 23, 2008 at 2:01 PM | link

I loved going to the Arlington, VA Melting Pot. It's a very special occasion kind of place. I would always split dinner for two with four people and we never ran out of food. So it is possible to eat there for the same amount as other nice dining establishments. My advice to keeping it on the cheap- don't go there for drinky drinks.

I've been looking forward to this place opening for a long time!

... said Katherine on Jul 23, 2008 at 4:05 PM | link

Oh my. They obviously planned this place before the recession hit.

... said Danielle on Jul 23, 2008 at 5:32 PM | link

I have been counting down the days for The Melting Pot to come to Albany. I went to the MP in Washington, DC and remember it as being close to heaven on earth. Delicious, delectable cheeses, sizzling, succulent meats and dark, decadent chocolate. What's not to love? Yeah, its pricey, and yeah, we're in a recession, but life's short. Live while you can!

... said Cindy on Jul 24, 2008 at 10:02 AM | link

ambience: we basically sat in the bar, but there appear to be really nice seats around the corner.
food: over priced for cooking yourself, but I guess we didn't have to do the dishes.
service: they are very well rehearsed but it sucked. We had to wait very long in between app and then salad.
damages: over $150 with some wine before tip. I would at least expect a kiss or hug after that!
Coming back? Definitely not! Even though they gave us 2 $10 gift cards to make up for the service.

... said Linda on Jul 26, 2008 at 10:20 AM | link

ahhhhhhh ha ha ha ha! finally!
something about delaware to bring to the region.
i've been to the one in my state for approximately 3 anniversaries, 2 birthdays, a graduation dinner and "a surprise". it's so nice. there's not really any reason why the fondue frenzy would bomb in albany...there are definitely the people with money and it's just so charming.
charming.

... said heathah on Jul 28, 2008 at 1:15 AM | link

This is my wife's favorite restaurant, we were so excited to see it open! Had dinner there Saturday night, ordered the "Big Night Out".

Food was great (although I'm not a fan of the vanilla rum chicken), we wern't able to finish any of the courses. The cheese fondue was probably my favorite, but it was all good!

Service was rehearsed but a bit slow, but then again what do you expect from someplace that has only been open for four days? Everyone is still trying to figure their job out, so I fully expected a bit of a wait. The staff was very well trained, however, and I expect the timing to get better rapidly.

This has to be the perfect place to have a date at, I can't imagine a more intimate setting.

Our bill after ordering pretty much the most expensive dinner on the menu and two specialty cocktails each was $130. We'll be back.

... said Jason on Jul 28, 2008 at 9:06 AM | link

the gingerman and bailey's in saratoga have both been doing their own versions of fondue for a quite awhile.

also, different drummer's kitchen in stuyvesant plaza sells a small, affordable selection of fondue pots if you'd rather try your hand at it yourself.

... said maddiecakes on Jul 28, 2008 at 10:55 AM | link

Four of us ordered two of the $69 complete meals and we were not disappointed. The tables here are not on top of each other and the restaurant is designed to cut down on noise and that cafeteria feel. The best thing about our meal was that we were in control of the pace of our dinner. We relaxed and enjoyed sampling the many tastes and textures of the various courses. We stayed for two hours and never felt rushed or pressured to turn over our table. Huge wine list and attractive tableware also worth mentioning. For dessert - rice krispie treats dunked in dark chocolate - need I say more? Not inexpensive, but a great "special place."

... said upstater on Jan 31, 2009 at 9:19 AM | link