Restaurant Review: The Melting Pot in Columbus, Ohio

There are two locations of The Melting Pot in Columbus, Ohio, one up on the north side of 270 and another at Easton Town Center. While they are both almost identical in terms of their menu and atmosphere, they are both individually owned thus there are some variances. Interestingly, despite the persistence and popularity of The Melting Pot and its unique French and fondue fare, this is not a local restaurant, but a chain that got its start in Florida. The very stylized blond wood décor and individuality of each of the locations in Columbus, Ohio did throw me off and made me think it was local until I did some further research.

There is nothing at all like The Melting Pot in Columbus, Ohio or elsewhere in the state, for that matter, simply because Ohio isn't exactly a hotbed of French cuisine. Furthermore, this isn't really French cuisine so much as it's a fondue place, as that is, by far, its biggest attraction and what most people come for. This is an excellent place to come for a first date since the atmosphere is stylish, comfortable, and upscale without being snooty. In addition, the Melting Pot in Columbus, Ohio, at either location, is great for larger groups, especially if you're trying a large fondue or are doing more of a light meal with wine combination since The Melting Pot is great for both items. Most of the times I've been to either Columbus, Ohio location (at Easton or up near 270 at Crosswoods) there are at least a few large groups and both locations of The Melting Pot have group or large party seating available, although I've never been to any kind of party or large gathering there.

One of the biggest reasons to go to either Columbus, Ohio location of The Melting Pot is to check out their amazing selection of specialty drinks, my favorite being the stronger-than-expected (not to mention total girl drink!) the Yin and Yang, which from the top, actually looks like a black and white yin and yang symbol, the white being Godiva White Chocolate Liqueur and the dark half being dark chocolate shavings on top of some amazingly smooth vodka, although I'm not sure what it is. While I feel a little effeminate sipping on this, my wife goes crazy and always gets a Cosmo, swearing they are the best in town-and she's the expert. In addition to their great special drinks they have an extensive wine selection and I have to say, with the drinks alone, this is great first date dining. Everything is very romantic and if you know a lot about wines (although sorry, local wines aren't even carried) you can impress your date with your skills. Finding the right one to go with chocolate can be a pain though, so trust your server since we've gone wrong in the past with our own selections.

The fondue at The Melting Pot in Columbus, both at the Easton and Crosswoods locations, is one of the main attractions for most people but personally, the only one I'm really crazy about is the Swiss fondue. I've had a few of the others, including the cheddar and Wisconsin, but the swiss is by far the best, if not only because it's the only one you can take for more than a few bites without getting totally sick of it and being "cheesed out." I am surprised that many people come to The Melting Pot just for the fondue, but then again, it's the only real place serving it in any quantities in Columbus, Ohio.

All of the entrees at the Melting Pot in Columbus, Ohio are designed just for two so there's no real chance to experiment or come alone unless you're geared up to pay huge prices for good (but not outstanding) food. I am always angered that the entrees that are the best, which are the seafood and steak, are above $50. Even though they feed two people, I think $35 would be far more reasonable and because they expect you to come for a full-course meal (getting a fondue to begin, followed by a salad, then an entrée) the portions are very small, splitting them or not. The entrees at The Melting Pot are not worth the big money unless you get something around the $20 range. We usually get a dish called The French Quarter, which is a selection of shrimp, chicken, and sausage (French style) with a salad that is big enough for two. We once tried their one vegetarian dish, which was an assortment of veggies with different cheeses and pastas but it was not fresh and was the result of a complaint (something we are loath to do unless something is really off, which this was).

In short, The Melting Pot in Columbus, Ohio is a great place for simple drinks (their specialty drinks are amazing and well-constructed) and fondue or salad. It is great for having a short date where the wine and desert or fondue, rather than the main course, are the main attraction.