Restaurant Round-Up: The Hill Side Cafe and Melting Pot x II

Food is one thing that I don't mind spending money on. In my experience going out for a nice meal with friends or a loved one at a truly great restaurant is worth spending a few bucks, and it's not enjoyable if you worry about what you're going to spend the whole meal. I've done that. It's awful. I love food of all kinds, and I'm certainly not a food snob or a foodie, but sometimes you just want a nice dinner. This week in Restaurant Round-Up, Evan recounts a pleasant meal at the Hill Side Cafe in Etters — a place that I didn't even know existed — and Dori and Madeline both check in after visiting the Melting Pot on separate occasions. No one I know has ever been there and had a bad experience. Beg to differ? Agree with us? Leave us a comment.

Hill Side Cafe
Name: Evan K.
When: Friday night at dinner time.
Been Before: No.
Ordered: I had the broiled stuffed flounder stuffed with jumbo lump crabmeat, a Caesar salad and French fries. Sommer had an 8oz. Filet Mignon medium-rare with sautéed mushrooms, a tossed salad and mixed vegetables.
The Food: The food was absolutely excellent.
The Ambiance: The restaurant is very well decorated, but the décor is somewhat dated. We sat in a booth that that was tightly upholstered, very clean and comfortable. The atmosphere that evening was quite and we were easily able to hold a conversation without feeling we were overheard or overhearing others.
Company: My wife Sommer.
Did Others Like Their Meals: Yes, we both thought they were excellent and we were stuffed.
Cost: : $116.45 for two meals and three drinks.
The Service: The staff was very attentive but not bothersome. They engaged us with an upbeat humorous attitude and were happy to entertain our questions about substitutions or ingredients.
Notes: The parking lot on this place is ALWAYS full; we had driven by seeing it from 83 for years. It is clearly just a place that cooks great food with good service. The restaurant isn’t the type of place you go for fancy art or a unique atmosphere.
Recommendation: Absolutely!

Melting Pot
Name: Dori
When: 7:45pm on Saturday.
Been Before: No.
Ordered: Fondue Fusion version of “Big Night Out”—spinach artichoke cheese fondue; entrée included lobster, filet mignon, barbeque pork, honey Dijon chicken, salmon, shrimp and spinach/artichoke ravioli (we chose Coq au Vin style fondue); Cobb salad and California salad; and milk chocolate dessert fondue.
The Food: 9-out-of-10
The Ambiance: Perfect. The space is designed so even two-top tables have privacy, and you aren’t bombarded by neighbors’ conversations. The interior is darker, richer paints and wood choices with dimmer lighting than most places. I think they’re going for “romantic decadence.”
Company: The husband.
Did Others Like Their Meals: My husband loved it all and tried all the dipping sauces with the meats. I would have been happy with the cheese, salad and chocolate (only more of it!). We loved the fresh veggies and apple for the cheese fondue and the dessert dippers were all fantastic. Even the salads were surprisingly good. I’d definitely go back.
Cost: $120 with tax & tip (included three alcoholic drinks and a coffee, and we had a coupon for a free chocolate fondue, which saved us $13).
The Service: Our waiter was young, upbeat and eager. He could have been a little more on top of refilling our drinks, but he was attentive and knowledgeable and had the shtick down.
Notes: Be prepared for a leisurely meal. It took more than two hours and we were not slow eaters. It just takes a while to go through four courses.
Recommendation: Yes.

Melting Pot
Name: Madeline S.
When: Friday, 8:00pm.
Been Before: No.
Ordered: We ordered the “Big Night Out.” A four-course meal consisting of the table’s choice of a cheese fondue, a salad, an entrée with choice of cooking style, and, of course, a dessert fondue.  We ordered the Quattro Formaggio cheese fondue, the California salad, the Fondue Feast with the coq au vin cooking style and milk chocolate fondue for dessert.
The Food: Great!
The Ambiance: Very relaxed and chill.
Company: My fiancé and another couple
Did Others Like Their Meals: Everyone loved it.
Cost: Not including alcohol, about $40 per person.
The Service: The service was good. They get extra credit for making two of the three fondues right in front of you at your table.
Notes: It may be a little more than we would have normally spent on a night out but it was an entire nights worth of entertainment. We were there from 8:30 pm till 11:30 pm. Also, be sure to call in advance for reservations. We called a week in advance and 8:00 pm was the earliest time available. Keep in mind that most of the menu items are designed for two people.
Recommendation: Yes.