Fondue restaurant coming to city

Fancy some fondue? Well, in just a few months, you’ll be able to sample the cheese and chocolate cuisine at a new restaurant in Woodbury.

The Melting Pot, a chain of fondue restaurants, has just announced its plans to construct a new venue at the Woodbury Lakes shopping center on Hudson Road.

It will bring the number of Melting Pot restaurants in Minnesota to two, supplementing an existing location in Minneapolis.

Michael Stead, the owner of the Woodbury franchise, signed the lease Monday, Aug. 25, and hopes to be open in February or March next year.

“I’m super-excited,” said Stead, speaking by phone from his existing Melting Pot franchise in Framingham, Mass., about 20 miles west of Boston.

“I think [Woodbury Lakes] is an absolutely beautiful shopping center. It seemed like all the pieces fell into place.”

Starting later this year, the Melting Pot will be built at the western end of the Woodbury Lakes development and cover 5,500 square feet, offering seating for close to 180.

“There will be a focus on the bar crowd,” said Stead, explaining that in addition to the regular fondue menu, items including lobster quesadillas and crab cakes would be available, as well as up to 200 bottles of wine from which to choose.

Stead, who grew up in Apple Valley, moved from Minnesota to Cincinnati, Ohio to get involved with a family Melting Pot franchise there and worked his way up through the ranks until he opened his own store in Massachusetts.

“I’m so excited to get back to where I consider to have some of my brightest and fondest memories of childhood,” said Stead.

“I’m excited to bring a different and hopefully successful dining experience out to Metro East.”

Stead will be taking up residence in the City Walk development — “Just five minutes from the restaurant when it opens” — with his Kuwaiti wife Heba, four-year-old son Zechariah and two-year-old daughter Seema.

He says he’s excited to show them the state he remembers from his childhood, and already has trips planned to take the family to the Minnesota Zoo, Valleyfair and the Mall of America after they arrive.

“I have nothing but fond memories of [my childhood in Minnesota,” he added. “It’s something about giving my kids the same thing — the clean air, clean water and a lot of outdoor recreation.”

To get an idea of the Melting Pot menu ahead of the restaurant’s arrival in town, log on to www.meltingpot.com.

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