FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
RESTAURANT INFO
HOW DOES FONDUE WORK?
It’s such a fun and delightful experience. We start off with a cheese fondue, including fresh ingredients to the guests' liking. This is served with bite size French and pretzel breads, assorted raw vegetables, and fresh fruit to dip in the cheese. Our second course is a salad. The entrée course (aka the third course) includes a variety of meats and vegetables. You can choose from four different fondue cooking styles to cook your meats and vegetables. The fourth and final course is our decadent chocolate fondue. In addition to your choice of milk, white or dark chocolate, you will receive fresh fruit and sweet treats to dip.
HOW LONG IS THE TYPICAL DINING EXPERIENCE?
Tables of four or less are booked exactly 1 hour, 45 minutes apart. Parties of 5 or more are booked exactly 2 hours and 15 minutes apart. Please arrive on time and be respectful of the tables booked after yours. We offer plenty of time between reservations, but with all due respect, it’s not the fault of another reservation if your babysitter is late. Please plan accordingly.
IS THERE A DRESS CODE?
We are a family friendly, date night, special occasion restaurant. From your 'go to' little black dress to your favorite jeans, wear what makes you feel chic and beautiful!
ARE YOU HANDICAP ACCESSIBLE?
Yes. Please make a note of it in your reservation or advise our hospitality specialist when calling to guarantee a handicap accessible table.
DOES YOUR RESTAURANT OFFER SELF-PARKING AND/OR VALET?
Parking can be challenging in downtown San Diego. However, for your convenience we offer valet services right next-door through the Wyndham Vacation Resort. Pull right up to the front of the restaurant and a valet attendant will be out to assist you. Valet is $15 cash, gratuities are always appreciated. You can also self-park in many local paid lots or with metered street parking.
WHERE IS YOUR RESTROOM LOCATED?
Being that our building is a historic landmark built in 1913, and one of the tallest skyscrapers built at that time, the restrooms are in their original place. It is a journey in our restaurant that requires the utmost perseverance and vigilance. Undertake the journey at your own risk. Quite simply, our restrooms are located on the bottom floor in the lower lobby. From the second level, take the grand staircase to the restaurant first floor, go out to the hotel lobby and down the marble staircase to the lower lobby.
MENUS
WHERE CAN I VIEW YOUR MENUS?
They are available online at MELTINGPOT.COM under the San Diego Gaslamp location. Your server can discuss substitutions and provide suggestions for the most memorable dining experience possible.
DO YOU OFFER VEGETARIAN AND GLUTEN-FREE OPTIONS?
Absolutely. We have a special, vegetarian menu where each course is customized with the vegan in mind. In regard to gluten-free items, we are VERY gluten-free friendly. Our cheese is tossed in cornstarch as opposed to flour. We can sub out beer/wine for our vegetable bouillon which is GF as well. The dippers include bread, fruit and veggies. You can opt for veggies and fruit only or get everything and order a bowl of GF bread for an additional cost. Entrée and chocolate substitutions are available, and your server will cover them in detail upon your arrival. We also offer gluten-free cheese and chocolate.
IS FONDUE GOOD FOR KIDS?
Yes and highly recommended. Fondue is a fun family meal that gets everybody involved and cooking.
DO YOU OFFER A KIDS' MENU?
Yes! Check out our kids' menu online here (12 years and under).
DO YOU OFFER ANY SPECIALS OR PROMOTIONS?
Please visit our website to learn more about our current specials, and special holiday promotions.
CAN WE ORDER FOOD 'SIDES' INSTEAD OF A REGULAR ENTRÉE?
'Sides' of food can be added to your meal only when/if an entrée for that individual has already been ordered.
RESERVATIONS
DO YOU TAKE RESERVATIONS?
Reservations are highly recommended as primetime dinner spots are usually booked out. Our bar has very limited seating available on a first come, first serve basis. Please make reservations online.
WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO MAKE RESERVATIONS?
Online via your computer or smartphone. Please notify us if you’re running late through the Open Table reservation program, or by phone to change/modify your reservation. For reservations of 6 or more, please call our restaurant directly to speak to a hospitality specialist at 619.234.5554. We cannot accept reservations via email.
WHAT IS THE LARGEST CAPACITY IN ONE ROOM?
16 guests in our banquet room.
DO YOU ALLOW WHOLE RESTAURANT BUYOUTS FOR PRIVATE PARTIES AND SPECIAL OCCASIONS?
Yes, we do. Contact us at 619.234.5554
WHAT IF I BOOKED MY RESERVATION MONTHS AGO AND MADE A MENTION OF MY SHELLFISH ALLERGY. DO I GET A 2-BURNER TABLE?
No. Your best bet to get a two-burner table for ANY reason is to come in earlier or later at night when it’s NOT BUSY. However, they are still requests and not guarantees. We promise we will do our best.
CAN WE COME IN FOR JUST CHEESE OR JUST CHOCOLATE?
Sure. Why not? Please make note or let us know ahead of time that you will just be doing cheese or chocolate. Please note that the bar is always on a first come, first serve basis.
WHEN DO YOU BEGIN TAKING RESERVATIONS FOR MAJOR HOLIDAYS?
New Year’s Eve and Valentine’s Day are holidays that include prepayment as they are ticketed events that include tax and gratuity. An all-inclusive package, if you will. We typically open our books for those days one month in advance. Other holidays and special celebrations such as Mother’s Day, Christmas Eve, (just to name a few) will have a set specialty menu. Stay tuned to our Club Fondue e-newsletter, our website and social media pages for announcements and updates.
HOW DO LARGE PARTIES WORK? ARE WE GUARANTEED A PRIVATE AREA?
Large parties are incredibly fun at The Melting Pot. Our group dining is fantastic for families, special occasions, and business meetings. It’s a longer than normal dining experience and the style of our cuisine lends itself to good times and nostalgic memories. Each floor has tables big enough to accommodate groups of six or more. That said, there’s no guarantee your party will be seated in an enclosed booth or section.
SPECIAL REQUESTS
DO YOU OFFER ANYTHING SPECIAL FOR ANNIVERSARIES AND BIRTHDAYS?
We have a myriad of fun retail options you can have preset on your table that include everything from rose petals, balloon packages, floating candles, teddy bears and more. Check out our “Groups & Add-Ons” section at meltingpot.com under the San Diego Gaslamp location for more information. In addition, if you’re a member of Club Fondue, you will receive emails and you’ll be first in line for specials and exclusive offers!
HOW DO I RESERVE A SPECIFIC TABLE, FLOOR OR SERVER?
You can always REQUEST any of the above items, however, they are only requests and not guarantees. We have certain floors and tables that receive hundreds of requests and it is impossible to accommodate them all. So, instead of over promising and under delivering, please know that we will try our best. Our number one priority is getting your reservation seated on time.
I HAVE A SHELLFISH ALLERGY. CAN I REQUEST A 2-BURNER TABLE?
We book tables to full capacity and regardless of allergies or requests, you will be placed at a table that accommodates your party size. Shellfish is one small part of ONE of FOUR courses. You can sub out shrimp and/or lobster for other items.
CAN WE BRING IN OUR OWN WINE AND DRINKS?
Outside wine can be brought in for a corkage fee. No other alcohol is permitted to be opened or consumed on our property.
HOW DO I REDEEM A COUPON FOR CHOCOLATE COVERED STRAWBERRIES?
Please let our hospitality specialist know or make note on your reservation at least 24 hours in advance that you will have a strawberry coupon you would like to redeem.
COMPANY INFO
ARE YOU CURRENTLY HIRING AND IF SO, WHAT'S IT LIKE TO WORK THERE?
Once a week, we review all applications in search of as many exceptional, hard-working, and community-minded individuals as possible. We will ALWAYS find a spot for those who possess a strong work ethic centered around our Perfect Night Out mission. Weekends and holidays are a requirement as is a team-oriented mentality. Applications are always being accepted for Hospitality Specialists, Server Assistants/Bussers, Servers and Kitchen Staff. The minimum age to work at The Melting Pot is 16 years old. If you like people and enjoy working in a fast-paced guest service environment, please apply in person M-F before 3PM or online.
GIFT CARDS
DO YOU SELL GIFT CARDS?
Yes. Gift cards can be purchased at our restaurant.
CAN GIFT CARDS BE USED AT ANY MELTING POT?
Yes.
DO GIFT CARDS EXPIRE?
No.
IF I LOSE MY GIFT CARD CAN YOU REPLACE IT?
No. Please treat these gift cards like cash!