The Melting Pot Restaurants Offer France Trip for Two Along with New French-Inspired Menu This Fall

TAMPA, Fla.  (RestaurantNewsRelease.com)  The Melting Pot Restaurants, a fondue franchise (http://www.meltingpot.com), are offering fans and guests a chance to win a trip for two to France while bringing the culinary traditions of France to guests with new French-inspired dishes in the fall Big Night Out feature menu (offered for a limited time) that will begin rolling out nationwide Sept. 20, 2010.

“Touted as the culinary capital of the world, I chose France because of the ingredients and familiar dishes that can easily be transferred into fondue,” said Chef Shane Schaibly, director of food and beverage for The Melting Pot. “When I think of popular French dishes, I think of these new menu creations.”

The first course, “Fondue à la France,” consists of a white wine base, baby Brie, Fontina, Gruyère and Raclette cheeses accented with Nueske’s bacon, onions, white truffle cream and fresh chives.

The Niçoise salad, a classic French salad from the city of Nice, includes French and yellow beans, Niçoise olives imported from France, tomatoes and hard-boiled egg topped with a robust shallot vinaigrette.

The entrée course features fresh meats and marinades including peppercorn-crusted New York strip, roasted garlic shrimp, Chicken Provençal, Duck a l’Orange and Ratatouille and goat cheese ravioli.

For dessert, Chef Shane whipped up a new white chocolate crème brûlée fondue. This is a mixture of white chocolate and crème caramel syrup flambéed tableside with caramelized sugar and alcohol spray to form the hard crust.

“The discovery process to transform crème brûlée into fondue was difficult, but out of all the fondue desserts, it has performed the best,” said Schaibly. “This dish could become a permanent fixture on our menu moving forward.”

The France sweepstakes, kicking off Oct. 4 and running until Nov. 14, includes a grand prize trip for two to Bordeaux, France. Other prizes include $100 gift cards (10), $50 gift cards (20) and free fondue for a year valued at $1,200. Check out http://www.meltingpotsweepstakes.com beginning Oct. 4 to enter.

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

About The Melting Pot Restaurants Inc.

With 144 restaurants in North America, existing locations in 36 states and Canada and over 20 locations currently in development, The Melting Pot Restaurants is the 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 fondue cooking styles and a variety of unique entrées combined with dipping sauces. The menu also includes cheese fondues, salads, fine wines and chocolate fondue desserts. Founded in 1975, The Melting Pot’s corporate headquarters are in Tampa, Fla. For more information, visit http://www.meltingpot.com or email info@meltingpot.com.