33 replies to this topic

[redman]

We ate at La Dip about a month after it opened. It was pretty good, but we like Melting Pot much better. I'm just wondering if anyone has been there in the last few months and whether anything has changed or improved for the better? We might give them another chance.

[KimB]

We ate at La Dip about a month after it opened. It was pretty good, but we like Melting Pot much better. I'm just wondering if anyone has been there in the last few months and whether anything has changed or improved for the better? We might give them another chance.

We had dinner there last Saturday for a friends birthday - the food and service was good, no issues with the equipment either.

[stacycam]

We went in early February and it was great. The place was fairly empty, so I was worried if they were going to make it. Our server was wonderful and the food was great.

[redman]

One minor complaint we had is that none of their dipping sauces were creamy sauces, like at Melting Pot (my wife loves their "green goddess" sauce). Has that changed?

[Brynne]

We went there about a month ago and weren't impressed. The food didn't seem as fresh as The Melting Pot, the sauces weren't as good, the drinks were dull, and the service was fair. For that much money, I would drive to TMP instead.

[OctoberLily]

We went there a few weeks ago and we were'nt impressed. Actually, after we left, we were severely depressed that we spent $20 on dessert that probably cost them $2.00 to make.

The only good thing, our server was very nice and helpful.

My big gripe about the place is that they charge an arm and a leg for food and you literally get little scraps of food.

The dessert tray was disappointing. We got slivers of pieces of apples, strawberries and bananas. In fact, I mentioned to my friend that it would be nice if we got a whole strawberry, but it looked like we received thin slivers of a quarter of a strawberry. The bananas were ridiculous. I know they grow larger bananas and our slices were as small as a nickel. It looked like they melted half a chocolate bar in our dish and the chocolate ran off our dessert pieces and didn't stick. We expected the place to be a lot better and we were truly disappointed.

[stacycam]

Wow, I'm surprised you had such a disppointing dessert. All three times we've been there, we had strawberries, bananas, apples, pineapples, oreo-covered marshmallows, graham cracker-covered marshamllows, snickers bars, brownies, rice krispie treats, pound cake....hmmmm, if I'm forgetting something it probably doesn't matter. It's much more than tiny slices of three types of fruit. Also, we were told multiple times that we could have more if we wanted.

I hope you told the manager how you felt. It sounds like something went wrong and they needed to know.

[twnkltoz]

We went there about a month ago and weren't impressed. The food didn't seem as fresh as The Melting Pot, the sauces weren't as good, the drinks were dull, and the service was fair. For that much money, I would drive to TMP instead.

We had the exact same opinion (I love the Green Goddess at TMP)! We were disappointed in the dessert, too...the chocolate tasted like Nestle, and the dippers were just silly...tiny pieces of fruit and cut up things like snickers and donuts?? That's something you can do at home. For the money, I expect a little better and next time will go to TMP instead.

I will say that the service was good and they give you gigantic sodas. The cheese fondue was VERY good...we might go back for cheese fondue and cocktails sometime.

[OctoberLily]

I plan on checking out the Melting Pot to see if there is a difference. However, I emailed them to find out whether they serve whole strawberries as noted on their dessert menu and their website. If we are going to get small pieces of fruit for dessert, we can save ourselves $16 to $29 on dessert. For heavens sake, we can buy a whole cheesecake for that price.

I do plan on returning to La Dip, just for their cheese fondue as most of you have said that is good. Hopefully, our next trip will be better.

[555]

We had a bad experience two months ago and I'm not planning on going back. And I love fondue places. The place was totally dead on a Sunday night and I almost felt silly for making a reservation. Then when the fondue pots were turned on, it caused condensation all over the table. It got so bad, that it starting dripping on our laps. We mentioned that to the server and he basically said, "sorry, it happens sometimes". The Melting Pot has TOTALLY better food and atmpsphere. I was a little bummed too because I'd like a Folsom place to survive. I just don't see that happening though.

[ericm2031]

You guys should also try Simply Fondue in Roseville. It is kinda close to the Melting Pot. It is across the street from the Sam's Club and WalMart on Hwy 65.

[Ras712]

OK, so we gave this place a try... It was my Wife's B-day and we have been to the Melting Pot before and had a great experience. Well, we arrive and have a seat. The young waiter was really trying but he was speaking very quietly and was very awkward, he reminded us of the teenage character in the Simpson's with the squeaky voice. He was trying though and we found it kind of sweet and amusing. Anyway, we were perusing the menu and discussing the different fondue types: bullion, oil, or wine (besides cheese, of course). The waiter overheard us and mentioned that they were out of oil. OUT OF OIL?!?!?!?! We were just amazed, friggin' Bel-air is right next door, how does a Fondue restaurant run out of oil? Luckily we wanted the bullion so it was no biggy, but we began to wonder about this place. My wife and Mother-in law were looking over the drink menu for a little bit. Now, understand there are many mixed drinks on the menu and it clearly says "Vodka" and "rum" drinks specifically... after some deliberation my wife wanted a Vodka-tonic, and my MIL wanted a vodka martini. This is where it gets good... The waiter informs us at this point (thought he had seen them looking over the drinks before) that they don't really have a license for hard liquor and that the 'vodka' drinks were made with some sort of "strong orange wine"?!?!?!!!! 'OK this is getting good' I thought. Well they decide on a Viongier on the wine list. The waiter asked if they meant the type of wine Viongier or the Italian word for wine?!?!?! Alrighty, we quietly laugh this off and he goes to get the wine. When we are ready to place our order, we order a veggie fondue and one that is a pick-your-own. We order the 6 items and in there is Portabello mushrooms... The waiter returns a bit later to inform us that they are out of Portbellos for the pick-em fondue (I remind you of the proximity of Bel-air and a bevvy of mushrooms found there). We then ask about the veggie fondue being that Portos were one of the main components of it. He said the had enough for that dish, but not for the other. So we decide on another ingredient and laugh this off as well... Well the veggie dish came out and had exactly one-half of one portabello, some other veggies and about three pounds of tofu... PATHETIC!!!!

We had a good time anyway, we knew it was at least a good story/memory... We laughed alot and lived to fight another day.

BUT, We will NEVER EVER EVER go back there or recommend it to anyone, what a rip-off...

To Review:
1) No Oil.
2) Fake 'Vodka'
3) Viongier means what???? (did I mention he claimed to be an 'expert' on the wine list?)
4) Almost no Portabellos.
And not cheap...

DON'T GO TO LA DIP!
(oh, how I wanted to support a local place...)

[bordercolliefan]

That's a great story, Ras.

[October15]

BUT, We will NEVER EVER EVER go back there or recommend it to anyone, what a rip-off...

To Review:
1) No Oil.
2) Fake 'Vodka'
3) Viongier means what???? (did I mention he claimed to be an 'expert' on the wine list?)
4) Almost no Portabellos.
And not cheap...

DON'T GO TO LA DIP!
(oh, how I wanted to support a local place...)

Wow. I actually know the owner's son...maybe I'll turn him to this thread so that they can see how they're coming off as a restaurant...seems like things that the family would want to know.

[Ras712]

Wow. I actually know the owner's son...maybe I'll turn him to this thread so that they can see how they're coming off as a restaurant...seems like things that the family would want to know.

That would be great, I wanted to write them an e-mail, but having them look at this would be perfect. It was a comical experience, but not necessarily in the kind of way that I would reccommend.