Melt

As of recently, my wife and I dined at Melt in the Promenade Shops at Saucon Valley. With a reservation for 7:15 p.m., we bypassed the busy lobby and were seated promptly. The atmosphere was lively, with staff constantly on the move, and the energy suggested we were in for something special. Melt came highly recommended by friends and had strong reviews, so expectations were high. The menu, however, caught me off guard. Its design—a throwback to 90s diner placemats—felt out of sync with the restaurant’s polished aesthetic. It set a mismatched tone, but I pressed on. Our first drinks, the "Uva Bianca" and "Cala Luna," were visually appealing and enjoyable. Both were balanced and well-executed, a promising start. For appetizers, we chose the "Calamari Fritti," served with lemon aioli, fried basil, and fresh lemon. It was crisp, flavorful, and paired well with the aioli, though it quickly lost its texture as it sat. The portion was also smaller than expected, which tempered my enthusiasm. For mains, my wife opted for the gluten-free "Bucatini Carbonara," and I chose a smaller portion of the same, along with the "Fettuccine Bolognese." While my wife enjoyed her dish, I found the carbonara oily and lacking depth. The bolognese was better—rich, creamy, and flavorful without being overwhelming. However, both dishes were lukewarm, served on plates inexplicably hotter than the food itself. At this level, consistent temperature isn’t negotiable. Dessert followed a similar pattern. My wife had vanilla gelato, and I tried the "Pasticcino di Cioccolato," a dark chocolate torta with crème anglaise and chocolate sauce. The flavors were decent, but the temperature issue persisted—cold edges with a warm center. Even the coffee, served black, felt underwhelming and watered down. While the waitstaff was attentive and the ambiance inviting, the meal didn’t live up to the 4.5-star Google reviews or the hefty $200 tab. Food quality suffered from poor temperature control, which suggests a problem in timing or kitchen-to-table coordination. For the price, I would gladly wait longer to ensure proper execution. Melt has potential, but potential alone isn’t enough. High-priced dining demands consistency, and this visit didn’t deliver. Fine dining requires more than a good vibe and attractive plating—it needs follow-through.

Thursday, December 21st, 2023 First time here! The ambiance/atmosphere is BEAUTIFUL. Comfortable seating. Decorated adorably & tastefully for the holidays. The lights on the ceiling definitely make a statement. The service is top-notch. Highly impressed with the D.O.O. and our waitress Kristen. They were absolutely superb. Professional & extremely personable, both of them. I enjoy the fact that they do have celiac disease safe dishes, including gluten-free pasta. I ordered the gluten-free penne con pollo. It's described as sautéed chicken, zucchini, squash, artichokes, parmigiano, sun dried tomato cream. The cream sauce was absolutely to die for. Fan effing tastic. The veggies were on point & also delicious. Unfortunately, the pasta was *severely* hard & undercooked & the chicken was severely overcooked & tough to chew (think of a rubber tire). I do not send food back - by the time a new meal comes out, my partner would have been done eating & that's not enjoyable. I was surprised at how bad this dish was done considering how up scale & expensive this place is. The ambiance & service does not matter if the food can't live up to everything else at this restaurant. I can't in good conscious give more than a 3 star for food. I would still try Melt again & get a different dish. The caprese salad was also really enjoyable. My partner got the sword fish & had amazing things to say, although I did not personally try it. Based on other reviews, I'm also surprised they did not request that I take my hat off. I did indeed wear a gorgeous raccoon hat to my table, but by default & manners, I removed it without being requested.