As I took a deep breath, strong smells of chocolate and spices filled my nostrils. While sliding into the cozy two-person booth, my stomach grumbled and growled in anticipation of the longest meal I would ever eat.

The waitress flashed a smile at me as she explained the specific four-course meal: cheese fondue, salad, entrée, and chocolate fondue. Each word was absorbed throughout the restaurant and the room provided a light and cheerful atmosphere.

After my first visit to the Melting Pot this summer, I felt I had to return to thoroughly experience each aspect of the restaurant, and the meal surpassed my expectations. The restaurant offers a dining experience that is truly unforgettable.

This restaurant chain has spread nationwide and its main specialty is providing an individualized adventure for each guest by preparing the food at the table in a personal cooking pot.

For the first course, customers are offered their choice of fondue with flavors ranging from Traditional Swiss Cheese Fondue to Wisconsin Trio Cheese Fondue. Many of the cheese fondues feature lager beer, or white wines.

I sampled the Spinach and Artichoke Fondue which begins with a vegetable base, with Fontina and Butterkäse cheeses, spinach, artichoke hearts and garlic all added to the pot. Each bite was savored and after finishing the cheese fondue I found myself wishing for more!

For the second course I had the option of either a house or a Caesar salad. In general, the portion sizes of the salads were small and the restaurant failed to provide ample options, as it usually does for the unhealthy portions of the meal, such as the fondues. The house salad reminded me of a simple create-your-own salad and did not display the restaurant’s character. The Melting Pot could have extended its phenomenal first impression into the second course, but instead I was left hanging.

There are plenty of options for the entrées in the third course. The Melting Pot offers shrimp, lobster, fish, steak, chicken, and even a vegetarian option of ravioli. In an attempt to regain the high standards I had set after such a delicious appetizer, I ordered the Spinach and Artichoke Ravioli, which is cooked in a seasoned vegetable broth.

What makes this restaurant unique is that each part of the entrée is prepared in the pot by the guests. The waitress tells guests how long it takes each type of food to fully cook and leaves them to their fun. I personally enjoyed cooking my own food and although I made errors in cooking some foods, it added to the spirited experience.

At this point in the meal I thought I would be stuffed to the brim. But at the first mention of chocolate fondue, I knew I could make room for more food. After reviewing the options and weighing in on which fondue would be the most delicious, I decided on The Original, a combination of milk chocolate and crunchy peanut butter swirled together and left at the table for my tempting pleasures. Dipper after dipper, the chocolate came and before I even knew it, it was gone. The glorious chocolate melted in my mouth and made my taste buds tingle with excitement.

I am sure that I have found my new favorite restaurant and my meal at the Melting Pot was one I will remember forever as the most delectably satisfying meal of my life.

The pricing at the Melting Pot is rather expensive, so I recommend dining at this restaurant for special occasions. The restaurant also provides  optional packages for anniversaries, birthdays, and holidays. Even though it is pricey, the food is absolutely delicious and is worth every penny you spend.

The service was stupendous and I could not have asked for anything better at such an upscale restaurant. The dim lighting and secluded tables provide the perfect environment for a personal meal. If you are looking for a fabulous restaurant that will forever change the way you look at all foods, take a visit to the Melting Pot and be prepared to have the time of your life.