Mix and match

Remember when the fondue parties of the 1970s were all the rage? A new, refined version of this experience has opened as a restaurant in Thousand Oaks.

Melting Pot, a locally owned franchise, has taken the experience one step further by offering fondue lovers an upscale, dimly lit ambience. The restaurant has private rooms, high-back booths and tables with built-in cooktops for table-side cooking.

For you first-timers, there are many choices, so be patient.

Your cheese course consists of four choices: cheddar, Swiss, Wisconsin trio and fiesta. I recommend the Wisconsin trio and Swiss cheese. The fiesta is great but a little spicy, which takes away from the flavors of the remaining courses.

Entrees come with one of three salads, none of which I recommend. The salads are a bit boring and the dressings have little taste.

Skip right to the entrees and save room for dessert. Here you may choose from fish, chicken, lobster and steak with a wide variety of vegetables and four different cooking methods: coq au vin, court-bouillon, mojo with Caribbean seasonings and Bourguignon. I recommend the coq au vin with fresh herbs and burgundy wine and the court-bouillon, a seasoned vegetable broth.

Now the best part: the chocolate fondue. You get to choose from eight selections, or simply create your own. My favorites are the flaming turtle with milk chocolate, caramel and pecans, or the chocolate s’mores with marshmallow cream and graham cracker crumbs.

The fresh fruit, cheese, marshmallows, brownies, pound cake and cheesecake all make perfect dipping ingredients.

The price for complete dinners for two runs from $58 to $96. You can order à la carte with an individual cheese course for $7. Salads are $7 and entrees $18 to $26.

The Melting Pot is a great place to meet friends and catch up on old times. And you’ll have plenty to talk about because you’ll be doing the cooking. Plan on two to three hours for a complete meal. Full bar with an extensive selection of fine wines is available.

With chocolate fondue desserts offered at a great price of $7, Melting Pot is a terrific place to go following a movie or whenever the sweet tooth hits.

For dinner, reservations are suggested.

The Melting Pot is located at 3685 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd in the Paseo Marketplace. Call (805) 370-8802.

Marty Bee is a pseudonym for The Acorn’s restaurant reviewer. To preserve the objectivity of Mr. Bee’s work, his appearance at each restaurant is kept a secret. He could be at a table next to yours.