Melting Pot — Restaurant in Saint Petersburg

The ambiance was great, and the fondue was good, the service was poor, the experience was poor, the non-fondue items were poor. As a note, demand that each person receive the same color fondue sticks and that each person at the table receive a different color. We did the 4 course meals, and started with the bourbon bacon cheddar for the cheese fondue and it did not disappoint. For salads we had the caesar salad and the melting pot house salad with the house vinaigrette. The salads were swimming in dressing. The house vinaigrette dressing was like a honey mustard type, so it was sweet but tart enough that it actually started burning our tongue the same way eating too much citrus does. Same thing with the caesar. It was so much dressing, it started burning our tongue. You can't undo too much dressing. So we had to stop eating the salads to save our burning taste buds. We then had the coq au vin cooking style which went great with what we ordered. Our favorites were the old Bay shrimp, the teriyaki steak, and the honey orange glazed duck. The potatoes and vegetables were delicious in this cooking style. Especially the mushrooms and potatoes. My only complaint here is we each received 2 fondue sticks. There were 3 of us at the table. Instead if giving us each different color fondue sticks, they mixed them. So, I had blue and red, another had red and light blue, another had blue and black. We spent the entire time during the entree trying to figure out who put what into the pot because of the mixing of colors with the fondue sticks. We couldn't change them because we had already started using them before we found out how chaotic it was going to be. Between the 3 of us, there were repeat food items, i.e. 2 of us had shrimp, and another 2 of us had duck. We then had to start counting our shrimp and deducting how many we ate to help us identify whose shrimp was in the pot. It really took away from the experience. Who would have thought something as small and simple as the color of your fondue sticks would be such a big hassle. Therefore, per my earlier note, to avoid this poor experience during your entree, demand that each person receive the same color fondue sticks, and that each person at the table receives different colors. This makes all the difference!! After we got past that, we had the s'mores chocolate fondue with milk chocolate. It was good, but the Graham cracker pieces were gigundous. So they never actually caught on to any of the items we were dipping, which takes away from the s'mores part of it. They only gave us 1 type of marshmallow which was like an Oreo crusted covered marshmallow. I would have liked to have seen different types of marshmallows with this chocolate fondue since we got s'mores. Understanding there is marshmallow in the fondue, it still seemed weird that we only received 2 marshmallows for a table of 3 and both were Oreo. S'mores is marshmallow, chocolate and Graham cracker. Now minus the Graham cracker and minus the marshmallows. Again, taking away from the experience. Add to that the lack of experience with our server, whom explained nothing, didn't review the ingredients in the different fondues, didn't explain any of the sauces and which one is best for the different meats and seafood, had zero personality, and never checked on us after dropping each course. In addition, I would expect our server to watch our drinks and refill when seen they are gone. I shouldn't have to ask for refills. My server should be watching that and asking me if I want more or if I want something else to drink. That's part of their job. While 2 of us had previously eaten at Melting Pot before, I brought someone who did not. This was not the experience I wanted for them. So to recap, ambiance was great, fondue was good with the exceptions of the mishaps with the chocolate fondue, the service was poor, the experience was poor, the non-fondue items (the salads), were poor. Needless to say, I left...

Well from Start to Finish the experience was terrible. I took my Girlfriend for a Pre birthday dinner and since they had this Labor Day weekend Endless Lobster for $55 I said lets do it. Well when I called for the reservation they asked is there something special going on I said Yes her birthday they offered a $20 package balloons, Chocolate, and a Picture frame. I said ok but then my girlfriend heard my convo over the phone when I hung up she said no way you will pay $20 for that. So I called back and I canceled it and the girl confirmed with me. When we got there yeah there was Balloons Chocolate and the frame on the table. I felt like wow but I didn't want to say anything in front of my girl because she thought I surprise her anyways but they put me in a not so nice position and an Extra $20 that I already canceled it. Then it came to ordering drinks they didn't even have heineken I understand to support local beer etc but at least give us a choice and not be force to get it. Then it came to the Endless Lobsters that was a joke they ran out and that was the point going there for my Girl loves her Lobsters I think she got a total 5 or 6 small lobster tails total and it was just not worth it all around. The waitress Devnna bless her was in a pickle but she handled it as best as she can but I asked for the manager because this was not the waitress fault and all the manager said was we didn't expect a great turn out this weekend that this was our first time doing it. Well so happy for you but yeah we got screwed not to mention they went to buy more lobsters at some store and the lobster tails looked even smaller. Something that takes about 2hrs took us 3hrs because we had to wait. The Bill came out to $142 but then I was like really so they took the 2 Drinks out and a Coke that I didn't even get to bring it down to $125. Too be honest I would of just walked out it wasn't even worth it and don't bother getting the Grill one stick with the Hot broth one because the cast iron grill doesn't get hot enough. This just was not worth it and I truly regret taking my girlfriend there I could of taken her to another place that she would have been happy from Start to Finish. Thanks for ruining her Dinner and wasting my money. . So last night October 16 2018 Morgan and Steve asked us to give them a second chance and glad we did .This was truly a great meal from start to finish .Our waiter Rob was awesome. Even though this meal was on them this was worth paying for. Before we ordered I did want to make sure what we can order and Morgan said whatever you like. Though we could of taken a huge advantage we didn't and ordered as close as we can to what we paid for in fairness to them. My girl ordered her seafood and I did the St Jude special with steak chicken and shrimp .We did the mojo broth and that was very good and the cooking went by way faster. I ordered to drink the sunrise sangria and wow that was yummy .Like I said this was a great meal and well worth it .Granted this isn't something you do every week but for a nice treat I say do it. Also this time around took about 2hrs which is about right. Like to say thank you to Morgan and Steve and our waiter Rob for a wonderful dinner. Giving you guys 5 stars...

Our average hour and a half meal was extended to three hours due to our horrible service. We were left unattended throughout the night. I had to get up from the table 3 times to find help for refills. Our cheese came out clumpy and we ate it clumpy since we were not checked on, our meat entry was great, our desert was reuined because one burner was not hot enough and the other was to hot. Once again, not fixed because there was no help in site. When I mentioned that I was upset, the waiter made excuses and would walk off as if everything was fine. I tried to maintain a smile since it is my nephew that request to go here for his birthday every year. A 3 hour meal, on a weekday is crazy. We arrived at 7:30pm and left at 10:30pm. The manager did more than half the work at the restaurant. When ready to pay, I was handed the payment scanner as the waiter waited for me to tip him. I am a 30% tipper, but this time he knew I was upset. When I arrived home at midnight, after the drive home, I messaged melting pot on Facebook messenger. With an non caring apology and a text showing how many times I have eaten there since 2017 (how rude) I felt as if I would have received a real apology if the computer had shown my husband's phone number and friends numbers at which we dine with. (Sorry, the amount of times you eat at Melting Pot should not determine the respect you get for a non-enjoyable meal). How disappointing. Even McDonald's would have offered some sort of gester. Has it came down to the fast food and restaurants taking better care of their customers who spend $30.00 with them vs the $175.00 dinner I had to pay for which was unacceptable?

When arriving our seat was already given away and we had to speak to a manager at that point to get seated properly. The managers last words to me, "I will be sure to send you our best server, my apologies". I hope that was not the best. It was a week night and not busy enough to be "in the weeds".

Poor service Took 3 hours to eat (not from talking) They no longer mix your food table side Management was great, but needs a better staff Trying to shame me on my visits by looking up my phone number Pointless apologies

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