Melting Pot — Restaurant in Georgia

We've been going to The Melting Pot in Kennesaw for many years to celebrate special occasions and have always been very pleased. However, this last visit (7/5/21) sadly did not meet that same level of satisfaction. My wife and I had a reservation for 5 PM and we were seated promptly.

Our server was training a new employee and both were very courteous and efficient. It took nearly 30 minutes for our cheese course to come out and another 15 minutes for our charcuterie board to arrive...and still no salad course. Our server explained they were "having issues with the person on salads" and told us the charcuterie board would be on the house, which was a nice gesture. Upon inspection of the board, I honestly had to silently think that I was glad we weren't paying $13 for what we received...a small cup of maybe eight sweet drop peppers, four rolled slices of prosciutto, four slices of salami not even the size of a half dollar cut into quarters along with four crackers and a small dollop of jam and dijon mustard. Definitely not what I was expecting for $13 but again, it was complimentary. The salad was very good despite the wait but it then took quite a while for our main entrée to arrive.

We ordered the Big Night Out for Two (my wife ordered the Classic and I ordered the Pacific Rim) and we were a bit shocked at the portions provided...three shrimp each on both plates, 5 pieces of teriyaki sirloin, four pieces of duck and two very small cubes of ahi tuna on my Pacific Rim and five steak, four chicken and five pork on my wife's Classic (which had a $3 upcharge for some unknown reason). Even the vegetables were on the skimpy side. For the $94 price, I honestly expected larger portions, particularly when ordering a "Big Night Out.".

So by this time it's nearly 6:45 and we're told that our chocolate course "is on the way soon." This ensued another nearly 20 minute wait for it to actually arrive. The dippers consisted of four each of the brownie, blondie, banana slices, pound cake and four very tiny slivers of the sugar waffle as well as eight or so equally tiny slivers of strawberry. Again, the portions were quite underwhelming. Before the server left, my wife asked for more of the waffles, brownie and blondie. We finished the meager portion of dippers(basically two each of everything for each of us) pretty quickly and then proceeded to wait for the extra dippers to arrive. This didn't occur for nearly another 20 minutes or more, during which time the chocolate became super heated, charred to the sides of the bowl despite diligent stirring and consequently very thin and runny. We left after paying at 8:05 PM...three hours after being seated.

Now I understand that in this post-Covid environment staffing issues are to be expected but there were obviously a multitude of back-of-the-house going on this night. The servers were very professional and apologetic (the comped charcuterie board was not expected and helped offset some of the delays) but it was obvious they were frustrated as well and this was not an isolated incident. My wife and I have come to expect much better from The Melting Pot. I also understand supply chain issues and increased pricing from vendors (i work in a service industry and deal with these same issues daily) but it almost seemed as if whoever was plating the meal suddenly switched to being a school cafeteria lunchlady at the end of the month rationing portions to stretch the budget. For $100, I definitely expected much larger portions in light of what we had experienced in previous visits. Suffice it to say, the "Big Dinner for Two" in reality was more of an "Elaborate Snack (Sort of) for Two." Instead of the usual feeling of a nice, enjoyable meal my wife and I left contemplating what could have been a nice, enjoyable...

We booked for Christmas Day thinking it would be a wonderful experience, however, it was by far some of the worst customer service we have ever received. At arrival for our reservation time we waiting 35 minutes to be seated walk-in’s who did not find time to make reservations were seated before us. Upon being seated I noticed there were flower petals all over our table (usually for special occasions), I thought this must be a Christmas thing. Once seated we got a waitress who did not happily greet us or ask how we were doing or even how our holidays had been. She took our order and when we let her know of my husband’s Celiac Disease it really went downhill. We asked to substitute two items due to the allergy. She came back and told us that since we wanted the “much more premium filet cut than usual” it would be $20 up charge. We called the manager over to discuss because I think she was confused with what we were asking for. Either way the manager, who was extremely rude came over and told us this filet was so much more expensive because it’s a special menu. Whatever. We didn’t end up getting the filet just based upon principle. Well about five minutes later the waiter for the adjoining table offered to sub out their items they merely disliked (no allergy) for the “premium filet” free of charge. At that point I was fuming. Clearly this waiter knew what he was doing and this would have happened had we not asked why they were getting special treatment. An hour after we were seated our waitress came back over to retake our order. At this point, nothing but water at our table. I was about to lose my mind. She said our order got cleared out when she was asking the manager about the steak. No apologies, nothing. While we are waiting we saw the same waitress and manager go into the room behind us while the family seated at the table got up and left. After finally getting our cheese 1.5 hours after being seated, not one single time did this waitress stop to ask how our food was or if we needed anything. Not once. We finally received our salad at hour 2 with the entree to follow 10 minutes later. Still nothing. Not even a water refill. Or an ask to refill the one glass of wine each that we ordered. At hour 3 we were just getting our chocolate. At this point I was so irritated I couldn’t even enjoy it. She brings our bill over and as I suspected they tried to add the $19.99 charge for flower petals and one rose that was on our table. I quickly told them to remove that because I never asked for it nor would I. What a rip off it would have been. Plus I hate flowers. With all of that being said, our Christmas dinner experience was horrendous, nobody seemed to care including the manager. She made snarky comment when I said “we eat here a lot”. Which we do. I consider multiple times a year a lot when it’s a pricey place to eat. I was less than impressed and I have reached out to their corporate office to file a complaint. If the manager had simply just apologized instead of being rude throughout our entire situation it would have made a big difference. Returning customers is a big deal in this economy. Think about that. Being treated like we don’t matter was not the way to go with this. Very disappointing and we will be booking our experience elsewhere from now on.

Update: I was contacted today by manager, Brandy, and she apologized for our service. I feel we had a positive discussion and we will be going back to The Melting Pot in Kennesaw again to give it another go. We do greatly enjoy the experience and the food. I am very glad we were able to have a...

My recent dining experience at The Melting Pot was nothing short of exceptional. From the moment I walked through the door, I was greeted by a warm and inviting atmosphere that set the stage for an unforgettable evening.

The Melting Pot's concept of fondue dining is truly unique and captivating. The menu offers an extensive selection of flavorful cheeses, savory broths, and indulgent chocolate fondues, providing a delightful journey for the taste buds. The interactive nature of the dining experience, where you can dip and savor a variety of ingredients, adds an exciting and engaging element to the meal.

The service at The Melting Pot was outstanding. The staff members were attentive, knowledgeable, and genuinely passionate about the food they were serving. They expertly guided us through the menu, offering recommendations and ensuring that every aspect of our dining experience was tailored to our preferences. Our server, Sebastian, was out of this world incredible! I truly couldn't thank him enough for being the best server and making our night so special.

Let's talk about the food itself. The cheese fondue was a masterpiece. The blend of cheeses was perfectly melted, creating a rich and creamy base for dipping an array of breads, and fresh vegetables. Each bite was bursting with flavor, and the combination of different ingredients was a delightful adventure for the senses.

Moving on to the main course, the selection of premium meats, seafood, and vegetarian options exceeded our expectations. The broths were carefully prepared, infused with aromatic herbs and spices, enhancing the natural flavors of the ingredients. We loved the freedom to cook each item to our desired level of doneness, ensuring that every bite was cooked to perfection.

Saving the best for last, the chocolate fondue was a decadent finale to an already incredible meal. The luscious melted chocolate paired with fresh fruits, marshmallows, and other delectable treats was pure bliss. We couldn't resist indulging in every last morsel, savoring the sweetness and the delightful combination of flavors. And let's not forget the macaroons, WHOA. I was in sugar heaven!

The Melting Pot's attention to detail extends beyond the food. The ambiance is intimate and cozy, making it an ideal spot for a romantic evening or a special celebration. The dim lighting and the charming décor create a relaxed and comfortable setting that enhances the overall dining experience.

In summary, The Melting Pot is a true culinary gem that offers a dining experience unlike any other. The concept of fondue dining, combined with impeccable service, delectable food, and an inviting ambiance, makes it a standout among restaurants. Whether you're celebrating a special occasion or simply looking for a memorable meal, The Melting Pot should be at the top of your list. I can confidently say that I'll be returning again and again to savor the delights this remarkable restaurant has to offer...and perhaps a glass of...