The Melting Pot Restaurants Hop Through Pacific Islands with New Spring Menu

TAMPA, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Melting Pot Restaurants (http://www.meltingpot.com) are offering a new menu featuring Pacific Islands themed dishes for a limited-time, starting March 15, 2010, and nationwide by March 26, 2010.

“I was trying to think of a menu theme for the spring time using lighter fare”

“I was trying to think of a menu theme for the spring time using lighter fare,” said Chef Shane Schaibly, manager of culinary development for The Melting Pot Restaurants. “I took recipes that I came across when working with chefs from Hawaii and New Zealand while at the Ritz Carlton in South Florida and used them for marinades in fondues. This Pacific Islands themed Big Night Out has mint and lots of citrus which is perfect for spring.”

The first course of The Melting Pot’s new Pacific Islands Big Night Out is the Feng Shui Cheese Fondue, the perfect balance of sweet, sour, spicy and creamy combines white wine, mirin (a sweetened rice wine) and sake with earthy and nutty aged Gruyere cheese and smooth Horseradish and Chive Havarti. Following the Feng Shui Cheese Fondue is the Lettuce Wraps with Mandarin-Orange Ginger Dressing, a light blend of green leaf lettuce, thinly sliced cucumber, curly carrots, bean sprouts, fresh mint and cilantro.

The new entree course offers a choice of fresh meats and seafood including some new items like the Kiwi Lime Shrimp, Garlic Chili Chicken Breast, Sesame Crusted Teriyaki Sirloin, Citrus Infused Pork Tenderloin, Sushi Style Ahi Tuna and Spring Vegetable Dumplings. For dessert, Chef Shane concocted a Passion Fruit Yin and Yang Fondue, which is The Melting Pot’s signature decadent dark chocolate swirled together with red passion fruit-infused white chocolate.

In spite of the current economic conditions, The Melting Pot continues to heavily invest in research and development for all of the limited-time Big Night Out menu features, which drop every six months. Chef Shane Schaibly, along with The Melting Pot’s executive leadership team, thoroughly test new menu items and solicit feedback from franchisees nationwide before implementing any new recipe. Extensive testing is done in Tampa, Fla., to ensure all of the ingredients are the highest quality items.

To make reservations, find locations or view the complete menu, visit http://www.meltingpot.com.

About The Melting Pot Restaurants Inc.

With 145 restaurants nationwide, existing locations in 37 states including the District of Columbia, and over 13 locations currently in development, The Melting Pot Restaurants Inc. is North America’s premier fondue restaurant franchise. At The Melting Pot, fondue becomes a memorable four-course dining experience where patrons can dip into something different. Guests enjoy a choice of four flavorful fondue cooking styles and a variety of unique entrées combined with special dipping sauces. The menu also includes creamy cheese fondues, lively salads, fine wines and mouthwatering chocolate fondue desserts. Founded in 1975, The Melting Pot’s corporate headquarters are in Tampa, Fla. For more information visit www.meltingpot.com or email [e-mail].