Durrel B.
Google
I’ve been coming here for years for special occasions. It's where I proposed to my wife nearly 12 years ago. So when choosing a place to go on Valentine’s Day with 4 of our friends, it felt like a no‑brainer. Now I kind of wish it hadn’t . For the Record this isn’t the 1st time I’ve come with a party of 6.
1st Course Cheese: Smoky Gouda and Tuscan Sun-Dried
Our 2 pots of cheese arrived about 10 minutes apart, which is awkward 1/2 the table is either watching the others eat, or you’re reaching across and around people to share. By the time both pots were empty, we still had plenty of dippers left.
Taste-wise, the cheese was phenomenal as usual (especially the Smoky Gouda). But typically, the waiter will come by and turn the heat down so the cheese doesn’t burn. That didn’t happen last night; it was left on high and burnt. Also, every single time until now, we’ve always had cheese left when the charcuterie board arrived, and we could dip that into the leftover cheese. Not this time.
2nd Course Charcuterie: Everyone ordered charcuterie. What we got tasted fine, but the portions were noticeably smaller than in previous years, and we didn’t receive everything listed on the menu.
3rd Course Entrée: Firepot and Port & Beef: Each of the 6 people received 2 meats—this used to be 3, which you can verify by looking at older menus before the ownership change.
Once again, not enough food. I’ve never left here hungry before, until last night.
4th Course Dessert: Red Velvet and Triple Play
We ordered the Red Velvet with the cake pop and fruit platter. I’ll say this: it’s the best dessert fondue they’ve ever had. The mix of red velvet, milk chocolate, and white chocolate cream cheese swirl is to die for. The Triple Play was also really good.
But, like the cheese course, the chocolate pots were brought out at different times, creating more awkwardness. And yet again, the portions felt noticeably reduced.
Drinks:
It took almost 30 minutes to receive our drinks.
Margarita: Mostly a cup of ice with a splash of actual drink.
Amaretto Sour: At first we were told they were “always out of something” needed to make it. It’s one of the simplest drinks to make, yet the supposedly stocked bar couldn’t manage it at first. After everyone at the table looked at the waitress, she checked again and confirmed they could make it. Unfortunately, it was bland—likely too little Amaretto—and watery because the glass was packed with ice.
Beer: I ordered a Key Lime Cream Ale. After 30 minutes, another server came over to tell me they didn’t have it but did have another. I ordered that, and it was good, but the 1st waitress should have known, and it shouldn’t take 30 minutes to find out, then another 4 to bring the other.
Portion & Pricing Issues:
All night it felt like 1 couple was paying for stuff they never received. Only 2 dessert platters were brought out, and nothing on them was increased—our Classic platter had just 3 cream puffs for 6 people, the same amount when ordering for 4.
If 1 couple had been seated at their own table, they would have gotten their own pots for the exact same price we paid, instead of sharing everything.
If you’re going to limit it to 1 choice per cooktop, you shouldn’t seat a group of 6 at a table with only 2 burners. In the past, when we came as 3 couples, they brought a portable burner for the 3rd couple.
Atmosphere:
The atmosphere has degraded considerably since 2021. It used to feel quaint, cozy, and intimate. That’s no longer the case. It now feels like any other restaurant. When a chain like The Melting Pot feels more romantic and cozy than the local place where I proposed to my wife, something special has been lost.
This has always been my favorite place to go and to recommend to friends—even over Ruth’s Chris Steak House(similar price). Based on last night, that’s no longer the case. On Valentine’s Day, I expected The Little Dipper to bring its A‑game like always, but last night we got the C‑team. I’m not mad—just disappointed. If I could give 1/2 stars, The Little Dipper has gone from a 5 to a 2.5.
