The Melting Pot
The Melting Pot offers an immersive dining experience that’s been a local favorite in Sarasota since 1982. Nestled in the heart of downtown, tucked up at the top of a parking structure, this fondue restaurant takes guests on a culinary journey like no other. With its cozy and elegant ambiance, The Melting Pot sets the stage for intimate gatherings, celebrations, and special occasions.
The interactive fondue concept calls on diners to cook their own meals at the table, encouraging a sense of camaraderie and engagement. If you’re there for a special date, the staff will fill your table with flower petals and serve you a pot of melted chocolate and strawberries—I dare you to feed your date a chocolate-covered strawberry and NOT have a great time.
The menu at The Melting Pot features a variety of fondue options, from Classic Alpine to Quattro Formaggio. Entrée fondues offer choices such as cast-iron tabletop grilling or classic pots of coq au vin. Each dish is prepared with precision, using high-quality ingredients that cater to a range of tastes and preferences. Vegan? Gluten free? Picky toddler? The Melting Pot has you covered.
The restaurant’s commitment to creating a memorable experience extends beyond the food, as the staff is known for their attentive service and knowledgeable recommendations. Whether you’re dipping artisan bread into bubbling cheese or savoring the sweetness of melted chocolate, The Melting Pot offers a dining adventure that’s as much about the experience as it is about the flavors.
Contributing to the success of The Melting Pot’s Sarasota location is its general manager, former celebrity chef Celinda Norton. Celinda’s personality and knowledge about food are an invaluable part of the joyful experience of dining at The Melting Pot. Our publisher Tina mentions to Celinda that she had a wonderful experience on her birthday thanks to the server, Kelsey.
“She has really good ‘I care’ skills so I knew she’d be a good fit for you,” Celinda smiles with satisfaction.
What attracts a chef who owned eight of her own original concept restaurants in the Washington area to the position of managing an outpost of a chain restaurant in Sarasota, Florida?
At first, she says, “I loved the concept, but I didn’t think that I could handle a corporate atmosphere.” Then Celinda spent some time at the restaurant, and she got caught up in the magic of the table.
“Friends having a good time and people falling in love and children playing with their food and their parents instead of their phones. Our goal is the perfect night out—it doesn’t matter what’s happening in the rest of the world, when you’re here this is your safe space.”
Celinda is particularly proud of the company’s use of Puratos Chocolate. “Not only is it the best-tasting chocolate but the company is dedicated to taking care of their employees and their children and building their futures. As a brand we buy enough of that chocolate every year that we are making a huge difference in people’s lives and that makes me happy every day.”
In keeping with the name and metaphorical concept of a melting pot, this restaurant has something for everyone—and what could be better in the current landscape of this world than a “safe space” filled with pots of melted chocolate and cheese? There’s also a full bar.
