Great Escape: Experiential Dining at the Melting Pot

Last week I shared a few ideas for some decadent adventures and I dubbed this month “chocolate adventure month." I posed the thought, instead of celebrating Valentine's Day once, why not celebrate it an entire month? I also shared my new motto: A happy mom is a better mom. I hope you are joining me in this motto. 

Think about it, moms. We are at our best when we have time to rejuvenate. We also set a good role model to our kids. I want my kids to know that it’s not only important to care for others, but it’s also important to care for ourselves. So in essence, a happy mom leads to a happy family. Are you following my logic? Well, hopefully you’ll also follow to me some other fun places this month! 

This week I would like to let you know about a place I’ve been to with friends known as The Melting Pot. It’s located at the Providence Place Mall, 199 Providence Place (so there’s plenty of parking!).

This is not your average eatery. I’d call it an experiential restaurant. You don’t just pick from a menu and have food served to you. Where would the adventure be in that? They have a fondue theme. For your first course you can dip various foods (such as veggies and breads) into your choice of melted cheeses. That is the easy part. Now the adventurous part is picking out your food for your entrée and cooking it! There are fondue pots on the table where you fry or cook your food in a broth. It’s kind of like a campfire, in that you cook your food on a stick, only you get to enjoy it with some great ambience (and no crickets or wild animals).

I know what you’re saying, “I cook at home, I don’t want to cook when I eat out." But, I say in reply, it can be not only fun but also a great conversation starter. Have you ever been on a date with your significant other and found yourself only talking about the kids, finances, jobs etc. Well, this restaurant experience is a conversation piece in itself. So at least you have something else to talk about!

Of course, you don’t really have to do any cooking. You can just skip the main course and go right to dessert. Now here’s the chocolate part I promised you. With the chocolate fondue dessert, you have your choice of several types of chocolate and a variety of tasty desserts to dip into that yummy melted chocolate. I especially enjoyed dipping the fresh strawberries in the milk chocolate, yum!

What’s nice is they are flexible about their menu.  You can share an entrée if you wish and also skip or just have the cheese fondue. But be sure to save room for the chocolate fondue. 

Of course I’m all about a girl not only having fun, but also saving money. So if you want to get a coupon for a free (with purchase - see coupon for details) “chocolate fondue for two," just join their mailing list.

They also have special deal nights too. On “Girls Night” you can pay only $30 and get a 3 course fondue menu and champagne toast! The next “Girls Night” is Feb. 15.

Their Fondue and Flick deal includes a cheese fondue, salad, chocolate and a ticket valid at Providence Place Cinemas. This deal is Monday to Friday (on or before 6 p.m. on Friday). Of course, if you're looking for a special night with your husband, every Thursday they have a Date Night special that includes a cheese fondue, salad, a Fondue Feast entrée, chocolate fondue and a bottle of wine for $100 per couple.

Have I tempted your taste buds and your sense of adventure? Well there’s more to come next week! If you have fun places you’d like to suggest for a mom escape, feel free to e-mail me or post a suggestion below.