Important Notice on The Melting Pot & Twilight Farmers Market

Please note that the The Melting Pot Ownership is pushing back the Grand Opening Party, now set for Monday, January 25th! While, rainy-nights are perfect for romantic dinners (see the blog post below), they are not perfect when you have Grand Opening events that are so enormous that you spill out with hundreds of guests into the outdoor courtyard areas!

However, our dining experience at this new restaurant can go on just as planned as the restaurant is now open to the public.

And due to this unusual weather of constant rain, the Citadelle Plaza Ownership has cancelled the Twilight Farmers Market this week as well. The farmers and vendors will be back next week.

Oasis personal training facility is also pushing back his Grand Re-Opening celebration until next Wednesday, January 25th, 4-7 PM when the weather is a little nicer!

Rain and the Best Romantic Dinner Options In Arizona

I don't know about you, but I love rain! I love rainy days. I dress casually and I sit in front of my computer and the writing just seems to flow so nicely. But the best thing is going out to dinner with my husband on a rainy night! It has to be one of the most romantic things a couple can do together!

Living in the Phoenix area, most of us rarely get to experience the rainy night-dinners like those people do from Seattle or Boston. I think this is our week when the rain plans to come down for several days in a row, so get out your "reservation fingers" and dial one of these two numbers:

1) Tutti Santi ristorante by Nina
623- 566-1582

The Italians know how to make you feel warm and special. From the moment you walk into the door at Tutti Santi's, you are greeted like family. They hug you and shake your hand and invite you into their restaurant like they would their own grandmother. Each course is lovingly brought to your table. I love to try new Italian wines at the suggestions of the knowledgeable wait staff here, at Tutti Santi's. I am partial to the Americana white pizza but on occasions, I splurge with their veal cannelloni. It's divine! On a rainy night, I won't skip dessert, either.

2) The Melting Pot
623-444-4946

Does any other restaurant in America know how to do the romantic-rainy-night dinner better than The Melting Pot? I don't think so! The Melting Pot opens in the Citadelle Plaza this week and I think they called up Mother Nature and requested this special weather for their Opening Week! If you have never experienced this restaurant, I highly suggest to make the reservation call ASAP. It's a warm and comfortable atmosphere, where you sit in booths and relax as the wait staff brings you several courses of food using fondue pots. Cooking your meal with these pots, you anticipate the delicious food as it slowly cooks in front of you. The smells are wonderful. Of course, you cannot miss their famous chocolate fondue dessert. Dipping fruit and pound cake into the most sumptuous and warm chocolate is simply the best way to end the evening!

You can go to either of their websites and make your reservations online, too! They sure make it easy these days. And of course there is more information on the Citadelle Plaza website about our two special and romantic restaurants. Or, follow me on Twitter for specials at www.Twitter.com/CitadellePlaza or be my friend on Facebook at 'Citadelle Plaza'. We like to keep you well-informed about all the exciting news that occurs at this beautiful shopping plaza.

Both restaurants are nestled in the center of the courtyard at the Citadelle Plaza. Parking is available right behind both of these restaurants. But don't park TOO close. Part of the fun of this romantic-rainy-night dining experience is running to and from the car to get to the restaurant! Trust me, I know what I'm talking about.....

Grand Opening for The Melting Pot is Wednesday, January 13th!

We have one week until the Grand Opening for our newest restaurant addition to the Citadelle Plaza, but who's counting? EVERYONE IS! We haven't seen this much excitement for an opening of a restaurant in the Valley in a long, long time. You may be asking yourself, why has The Melting Pot stirred it up so much. Well, I'd like to share a personal story that I think reflects why people have such an emotional tie to this restaurant.

The year was 2000 and at the time my husband and I were working long hours. Our three children ranged in age from 12-16 years old, so needless to say, the household was hectic. Trying to get everyone together to enjoy each others' company was a difficult task at best. And spending quality time with the parents was not considered high on the list for the kids!

My middle son's birthday was coming up and I asked if he would like to go out to a nice dinner with the family to celebrate. He said, "Yes, so long as we can go to The Melting Pot!" Now, I'm not sure how he knew about the restaurant, but the suggestion was fine with me...I love The Melting Pot. I made reservations for a Friday night.

My oldest son complained the whole time driving to the restaurant. My 12-year old daughter was sulking in the backseat of the car. My husband was silent trying to drown the noise with the music from the car radio. And then it happened....

We walked into the Scottsdale restaurant. The lighting was soft and the hostess seemed so friendly as she led us back to a cozy booth. Suddenly, the kids starting talking about their day and we discussed the day's current topics. Everyone was cordial to each other. The conversation continued as we enjoyed the slow process of fondue cooking. Below the table, I pinched myself! We had finally found a place that everyone loved and allowed us to spend some quality time together. The birthday chocolate fondue arrived at the table and Laura blurted out, "From now on, let's spend all our birthday dinner celebrations at The Melting Pot!"

This is a story and a sentiment I hear often about this restaurant. We have been hearing similar stories from people who have been attending the Twilight Farmers Markets each Wednesday for the past six months, too. So, at 4:30 PM next Wednesday, The Melting Pot officially opens their doors to the public. Come and reserve your favorite booth today and enjoy some of the best dining in town! You'll be glad you did!