The Fondue Fork Gives Cupid's Arrow a Run for its Money at The Melting Pot Restaurants, Inc. This Valentine's Day

Tampa, FL  (RestaurantNews.com)  The Melting Pot Restaurants, Inc. (http://www.meltingpot.com), the premier fondue restaurant franchise, combines an intimate atmosphere, secluded tables, a unique fondue dining experience and a Cupid’s Fondue Forks Facebook promotion to spark romance for couples this Valentine’s Day.

“There’s just something about the fondue dining experience that invites romance,” said Cindy Haynes, senior vice president marketing for Front Burner Brands, restaurant management company for The Melting Pot Restaurants, Inc. “We’re taking romance a step further this Valentine’s Day by sharing the love on Facebook through our Cupid’s Fondue Forks Facebook application that gives fondue fans a chance to win dinner for two at The Melting Pot with their special someone.”

The Cupid’s Fondue Forks application, available on The Melting Pot Restaurants, Inc. Facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/themeltingpotrestaurants) and all local Melting Pot Facebook pages from Jan. 23 – Feb. 17, gives fans the opportunity to share the love by hitting their special someone with Cupid’s Fondue Forks while entering to win one of 10 $100 Melting Pot gift cards. Ten randomly-selected winners will be announced Feb. 21.

Winners will have the opportunity to discover the fondue effect and ignite romance even after Valentine’s Day has come and gone during The Melting Pot’s four-course experience – cheese fondue, salad, entree and the romantic chocolate dessert fondue finale.

Reservations are strongly encouraged for Valentine’s Day. Many locations offer special menus for multiple days during the week of Valentine’s Day. Specials vary by location.

To make reservations, find locations or view Valentine’s Day specials, visit http://www.meltingpot.com.

About The Melting Pot Restaurants, Inc.

With more than 140 restaurants in North America, existing locations in 36 states, Canada and Mexico and more than 15 locations currently in development, The Melting Pot Restaurants, Inc. is the premier fondue restaurant franchise. Founded in 1975, The Melting Pot continues to be a memorable dining experience. Guests enjoy a choice of fondue cooking styles and a variety of unique entrees combined with dipping sauces. The menu also includes cheese fondues, salads, fine wines and chocolate fondue desserts. The Melting Pot is an affiliate of Front Burner Brands, a restaurant management company headquartered in Tampa, Fla. For more information, visit http://www.meltingpot.com.

Celebrate Valentine's Day at Pacific's Edge Restaurant

Salinas, CA  (RestaurantNews.com)  Pacific’s Edge at Hyatt Carmel Highlands,120 Highlands Drive, Carmel, culinary team announced today a special Valentine’s Day menu available Tuesday, February 14th. Valentine’s Day is a day to express your love, and to celebrate the spirit of love. Executive Chef Matt Bolton, Pastry Chef Gina Scalla, Wine Director Paul Fried and Restaurant Manager Jacques Melac have created a tantalizing menu sure to make the day extra special. Diners will choose one menu item for each course.

First Course

• Oyster Trio island creek- Massachusetts, Rockefeller kumamoto- Humbolt bay, chilled, ginger mignonette belon- wild, maine, sous vide, fennel pollen

• Hawaiian Kampachi lotus root, citurs coriander blossom, santa barbara uni, yuzu emulsion

• Heart of Palm Carpaccio pickled chanterelle, rocola arugula, parmigiano reggiano, perigord truffle

Second Course

• Dayboat Scallop sunchoke pureé, watercress, blood orange emulsion

• Crispy Sweetbreads cauliflower gratin, chanterelle, truffle emulsion

• Foie Gras Trio foie blond ~ black truffle «tuber melanosporum» seared ~ vanilla rum poached pineapple torchon ~ quince purée

Entrée

• Colorado Lamb Rib-Eye beurre rouge, «pommes dauphine», porcini, thyme jus

• John Dory Dungeness crab, truffle gnocchi, Swiss chard, chardonnay sauce

• Veal Costelleta Chop truffled chanterelle, parmesan potato gratin, bloomsdale spinach, sauce bordelaise

Dessert

• Warm Chocolate Tart chocolate feuilletine, lime, raspberry coulis, passionfruit ice cream

• Red Velvet Cake white chocolate mousse, chocolate pearls, champagne sabayon

• Meyer Lemon Parfait lemon curd, citrus, almond streusel, blood orange sherbet

The cost is $125 per person plus tax and gratuity or $175 per person plus tax and gratuity with wine pairings. Reservations -recommended. Please contact Pacific’s Edge at (831) 622-5445 or visit www.pacificsedge.com.

About Pacific’s Edge

Pacific’s Edge is an award winning, glass-walled restaurant with spectacular ocean vistas. Our “California Coastal” cuisine provides the freshest local ingredients, meats and seafood, with dishes that meld a seasonal focus with sophisticated comfort food in a convivial ambiance that makes it appealing for everyday dining or any special occasion. Pacific’s Edge has received AAA 4 Diamond awards year after year, and has been named one of the Top 100 Restaurants in the United States by Zagat and one of the Top Ten Restaurants with a View by USA Today. Wine Spectator has lauded our wine list throughout the years with both Grand and Best of Award of Excellence awards.

“Just because we don’t have a violin player and overpriced wine, does not mean Hooters isn’t a great place for Valentine’s Day,” said Mike McNeil, the Vice Prescient of Marketing for Hooters of America, LLC.  ”Valentine’s day is about love, and what is not to love about free Hooters wings.”

This is the first of many holiday deals that Hooters will be offering throughout the year nationwide.   

Hooters of America, LLC is the franchisor and operator of over 450 Hooters restaurants in 44 states and 29 foreign countries.  The first Hooters opened in 1983 in Clearwater, Florida.  Hooters is well-known for its brand of food and fun, featuring a casual beach-theme atmosphere, a menu that features seafood, sandwiches and Hooters nearly world famous chicken wings, and service provided by the All-American cheerleaders, the Hooters Girls.  For more information about Hooters visit www.Hooters.com or follow at www.twitter.com/Hooters or www.Facebook.com/Hooters.

“There is no better way to celebrate romance than to share a great meal at a restaurant – and millions of Americans will do just that this Valentine’s Day,” said Hudson Riehle, senior vice president of the Research and Knowledge Group for the National Restaurant Association. “When it comes to choosing a restaurant for that special meal, consumers’ top three deciding factors are the familiarity of a favorite eatery, a romantic setting, and special menu offerings.”

Younger adults are more likely to enjoy a special Valentine’s Day meal at a restaurant than older adults; 33 percent of 18-34-year olds, and 39 percent of 35-44-year olds say they plan to dine out for a Valentine’s Day meal, compared with 27 percent of those 55 and older.

When it comes to factors involved in choosing where to dine out for Valentine’s Day, most consumers (42 percent) say they pick their favorite restaurant or their companion’s favorite restaurant for their special meal. Twenty-one percent select a restaurant with a romantic atmosphere, followed by restaurants that offer special menus or promotions (13 percent), restaurants picked by their companion (12 percent), and a restaurant they haven’t been to before (11 percent).

For younger consumers, a romantic atmosphere carries more weight when choosing a restaurant on Valentine’s Day than it does for older adults. Thirty-nine percent of 18-34-year olds said that was the most important factor for them, compared with only 8 percent of those 65 and older.

The Association also surveyed member restaurants on what type of promotions they would offer around Valentine’s Day, and the most common responses were special menu items (63 percent), prix fixe menu (45 percent), celebratory beverages or desserts (34 percent), flower/candy (28 percent), and entertainment/music (13 percent). In addition, 63 percent considered Valentine’s Day falling on a Monday – a typically slower day of the week – an advantage.

Previous research by the Association shows that Valentine’s Day is the second most popular holiday to dine out, after Mother’s Day.

Founded in 1919, the National Restaurant Association is the leading business association for the restaurant industry, which comprises 960,000 restaurant and foodservice outlets and a work force of nearly 13 million employees. Together with the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation, the Association works to lead America’s restaurant industry into a new era of prosperity, prominence, and participation, enhancing the quality of life for all we serve. For more information, visit our Web site at www.restaurant.org.

The special Valentine’s Day menu, which enables lovers to spend more on inedible gifts for her (or him), presents three beguiling courses, starting with a choice of Lobster Ravioli, scented with tarragon sauce Americaine and garnished with crispy leeks or Salade Gourmande “Petite Abeille,” mesclun and watercress with smoked salmon, country ham, wild mushrooms, marinated beets and fresh goat cheese crouton. The entrees are either Duo of Lamb, Trapiste beer-braised shoulder and roasted herb-crusted rack with parsnip and date puree and sauteed spinach or Sauteed Striped Bass with roasted Brussels sprouts with tomato, bacon and frisee salad … all topped off by a sinful confection dubbed Chocolate Addiction.

For those simply craving a soul-satisfying meal on a cold winter’s night, there are few better options in New York City than Petite Abeille with modestly priced a la carte offerings such as Carbonnade Flamande, Flemish-style beef stew and captivating burger preparations, all served with Belgian fries … especially on Valentine’s Day.

Petite Abeille: 401 E. 20th Street, 212-727-1505; 466 Hudson Street, 212-741-6479; 44 West 17th, 212-727-2989; and 134 West Broadway, 212-791-1360. http://www.petiteabeille.com

Contact: Shelley Clark, sclark@platformcomm.com, 646-489-8582

Whether they spend or end their evening at Ponte’s, couples will be treated to the restaurant’s stunning Hudson River views, gracious service, for which the Ponte family has stood for nearly 45 years, and complimentary valet parking.

Highlights of the $80 prix-fixe, in addition to access to the D&D Room’s temptations, include appetizers such as duos of shrimp, oysters and little neck clams and heart shaped ravioli filled with goat cheese, spinach and sun dried tomato. Among entree showstoppers: grilled Australian lamb chops, red wine sauce, goat cheese, mashed potatoes and string beans and grilled whole branzino, black truffle sauce sauteed broccoli and roasted potatoes.

Ponte’s will celebrate Valentine’s Day on Feb. 12 and 14 at 39 Desbrosses Street. Reservations via 212-226-4621 or on OpenTable. http://www.pontesrestaurant.com

“When Valentine’s Day bookends a weekend, it’s typically good for restaurants and diners,” said Caroline Potter, Chief Dining Officer for OpenTable. “With Valentine’s Day falling on a Monday, diners have four days – Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday – to enjoy a romantic meal with their loved ones. Plus, ‘Valentine’s Day Weekend’ provides more opportunities to secure reservations at the most popular romantic restaurants.”

While February 14 is the day of choice for 39 percent of respondents, many will celebrate another day:

• 30 percent plan to dine out on Saturday, February 12
• 15 percent plan to dine out on Sunday, February 13
• 4 percent plan to dine out on Friday, February 11
• 12 percent plan to dine out on more than one of these days to celebrate

It also appears the recession’s grip may be easing on OpenTable diners. More diners are planning to dine out for Valentine’s Day this year and, of those who dined out last year to celebrate, the majority plan to match their 2010 dining tab or step it up a notch:

• Approximately 90 percent plan to spend more or about the same amount as last year
• 58 percent plan to spend $100 to $200
• 12 percent plan to spend over $200

For those looking for a bigger night out this year, romantics in the nation’s capital won’t be freezing their spending plans.  Of the diners who said they plan to spend more this year than last, the highest percentage of respondents hailed from Washington D.C. (25 percent), followed by Baltimore (24 percent) and Miami (23 percent).

On the flip side, many North Carolinians are looking to scale down the festivities this year. The highest percentage of diners planning to spend less this year than last year hail from Charlotte and the Raleigh-Durham/Chapel Hill  region (tied at 16 percent), followed by Seattle (15 percent).

While 70 percent of diners planned to book comfortably ahead of time, nearly 19 percent will wait until the week before Valentine’s Day. For diners still searching for the right restaurant, OpenTable.com provides Diners’ Choice Top Ten Most Romantic Restaurants lists for each metro region and access to specials and menu details for February 14.  For more information, please visit www.opentable.com/valentines. Diners can also find more tips and trends regarding Valentine’s Day on the “Dining Check” blog at OpenTable: http://blog.opentable.com.

About OpenTable, Inc. 

OpenTable is a leading provider of free, real-time online restaurant reservations for diners and reservation and guest management solutions for restaurants. The OpenTable network delivers the convenience of online restaurant reservations to diners and the operational benefits of a computerized reservation book to restaurants. OpenTable has more than 15,000 restaurant customers, and, since its inception in 1998, has seated more than 175 million diners around the world. The Company is headquartered in San Francisco, California, and the OpenTable service is available throughout the United States, as well as in Canada, Germany, Japan, Mexico, and the United Kingdom. OpenTable also owns and operates toptable.com, a leading restaurant reservation site in the United Kingdom.    

OpenTable, OpenTable.com, OpenTable logos, toptable and other
service names are the trademarks of OpenTable, Inc. and/or its affiliates

Outback’s Sweetheart Meal is available Friday through Monday, February 11-14, 2011.  Please visit www.outback.com for locations and pricing.

Outback Steakhouse was again voted #1 Best Steak in the 2010 Zagat Survey of National Full-Service Restaurant Chains for the second consecutive year. Outback Steakhouse starts fresh every day to create the flavors that our mates crave. Best known for grilled steaks, chicken and seafood, Outback also offers a wide variety of crisp salads and freshly made soups and sides. New creations and grilled classics are made from scratch daily using only the highest quality ingredients sourced from around the world. For more information, please visit www.outback.com or http://www.facebook.com/outback.

“Like some of our most popular pizzas, the S’mores Dessert Pizza evolved from feedback from our franchise owners and guests,” said Carron Harris, VP of product development. “We tested it in several markets and the customer response was phenomenal! It’s a great addition to our dessert options.”  

The S’mores Dessert Pizza and Heart-Shaped Pizza are both budget-friendly products that are made fresh each day in Papa Murphy’s 1,200+ locations and baked up hot in a customer’s oven. Price and participation varies nationwide.

Papa Murphy’s is the fifth-largest pizza chain in the country and the pioneer and leader of the take ‘n’ bake pizza segment. Papa Murphy’s operates over 1,200 franchised and corporate-owned locations in 37 states and Canada. The Vancouver, Wash.-based company offers custom-made pizzas featuring high-quality, fresh toppings generously layered on pizza dough that is made fresh each morning in each store.  By baking Papa Murphy’s pizzas at home, customers get to experience the home-baked aroma of a convenient, delicious meal that the brand is known for. In addition to handmade pizzas, the company offers a growing menu of take ‘n’ bake items, including Cheesy Bread, Cinnamon Wheels, and chocolate chip cookie dough. Papa Murphy’s was recently voted “#1 Rated Pizza Chain” by surveyors in Zagat Survey’s 2010 Fast Food Survey and is a four-time recipient of Pizza Today’s Chain of the Year award. For more information, visit www.papamurphys.com. Find Papa Murphy’s on Facebook at www.facebook.com/papamurphyspizza.

Sweethearts everywhere can enjoy Krispy Kreme’s festive goodies with friends or loved ones now through February 14:

• Krispy Kreme’s delightful Sprinkled Heart doughnut will melt more than a few hearts. This heart-shaped treat is covered with mouth-watering white icing and Valentine’s sprinkles.
• The Chocolate Iced doughnut with Valentine’s Sprinkles is also a must-have during the season of love. This Original Glazed doughnut is dipped in delicious chocolate icing and is then covered with Valentine’s Sprinkles.
• The Chocolate Iced Heart with Red Drizzle is sure to put a spark in anyone’s day. This heart-shaped doughnut is covered in yummy chocolate icing and decorated with a red drizzle.  

“Keep your Valentine love-struck with Krispy Kreme’s delectable Valentine’s Day doughnuts,” said Ron Rupocinski, corporate chef at Krispy Kreme. “For each dozen purchased, lovebirds can enjoy 12 Valentine’s Cards, each with a coupon for one free doughnut, or one free small hot chocolate or small hot coffee.”

For a red-hot Valentine’s treat, Krispy Kreme is also offering Original Glazed heart-shaped doughnuts on Valentine’s Day only at select stores.

Krispy Kreme’s lovely treats are available now and will remain in participating U.S. and Canadian retail stores through February 14. Product offerings vary by market.

For updates on special promotions, exclusive offers and local events, join “Friends of Krispy Kreme” by visiting www.KrispyKreme.com or interact with Krispy Kreme at www.facebook.com/KrispyKreme and www.twitter.com/krispy_kreme.