The Asian tradition of cooking with hot pots dates back over a millennium, taking root first in Mongolia and then expanding century after century across China. As of January 2014, this communal cooking tradition has arrived in the Toledo area.
Hot Pot & Asian Grill opened its doors Jan. 1 and is giving area diners a taste of Asian fusion cuisine with a twist: patrons become cooks, preparing their meals on their own tabletops. By cooking at the table, patrons are ensured that their food is not only hot, but spiced to their individual tastes. Several tables are equipped with a large burner, allowing a group to share a single meal.
Located at Talmadge Road near Sylvania Avenue, the restaurant features culinary styles from China, Japan, Korea, Vietnam and Indonesia, as well as four cooking options: Asian grilling, stir-fried fire pot, hot pot and sizzle (cooked by the pros in the kitchen).
Asian grilling adheres to traditional grilling techniques, with items cooked at your table on a grill above a flame. Stir-fried fire pot also takes place at the table, using a Szechuan cooking style that produces food with more spice and stronger flavor. The hot pot cooking style begins with a boiling soup brought to your table, to which guests add items of their choice. Start by selecting a pot flavor, and then add meats and/or seafood, vegetables and other items (from tofu and seaweed to lunch meet and quail eggs).
No place for boredom
Because of the range of options, the idea of getting bored with the menu seems impossible. The variety of soup broths ranges from mild to very spicy. Customers choose from among a selection of raw meats and vegetables, which arrive with the pot. Combo deals range from $10.50 to $13.50 (jumbo size), where meat and vegetable options are delivered raw or slightly cooked to the table. The meats and vegetables also come a la carte, allowing for larger portions.
But the hot pots themselves do deserve a try. The Szechuan lamb, coupled with broccoli, mushrooms, corn, cilantro, fried tofu and steamed rice, made for a tasty dish.
As for appetizers and dessert, the fried wontons and green tea ice cream were delicious, and are reason enough to check this place out. As for the dishes from the kitchen, my guest and I went for the grilled frog legs. The crispy exterior offered a texture similar to fried chicken – but watch out for the bones!
In the back of the main dining room are two “party rooms” equipped with a karaoke machine. The rooms, small compared to the standard notion of a party room, are acoustically treated to keep sound from wafting into the main dining room. The rooms accommodate groups of six or more and make a great place for birthdays, business meetings or social gatherings.
All in all, Hot Pot & Asian Grill is a breath of fresh air for diners interested in alternative cuisines and a different dining experience.
Hot Pot & Asian Grill: Monday-Thursday, 11am-10pm;Friday, 11am-11pm; Saturday, noon-11pm; Sunday, noon-9pm. 4038 Talmadge Rd., Suite 101. 419-214-0600. Entrees: $10-$30
