See what people are saying about Melting Pot Tours:
"Nowhere else can one find such a fun and tasty way to get to know such great, intimate history and background of some of L.A.'s best culinary landmarks, and even get to discover a few hidden gems along the way! Lisa & Diane Scalia display incredible knowledge, insight and personality, and will amaze and enthuse you with their depth of information and entertaining anecdotes. This, when combined with the personal insight and stories of restaurant and shop owners along the way, makes for one of the absolute best and most fun tours in L.A." Posted on The Guide, Los Angeles Times.
"My husband and I are always looking for fun food eateries in Los Angeles, but often wind up returning to the same local faves. Melting Pot Tours was just what we needed to get us out of our rut! Our MPT tour opened our eyes to the variety of eateries along 3rd Street and in the Farmers Market. As we grazed our way through the tour, our taste buds were consistently tantalized, accented by the bonus of meeting the proprietors, hearing their stories and sampling their eclectic fare. If you are a foodie, and especially if you enjoy the "story behind the food", this tour is for you!" Posted on eyespyla.com.
"This tour was eye-opening and delicious - definitely a tour for the senses! I grew up in the Los Angeles area, but I've only recently taken an interest in exploring my surroundings. As a frequenter of the LA Farmers Market, I never really did explore as much of the Market as I could have, but I was completely surprised and delighted by the history and information I got out of this tour. I wandered corners of this market I would've never thought to wander. The faces we met on our tour were friendly, and everyone had a great time. I especially enjoy that our 'tour guides' were familiar and friendly with every person we were introduced to. Monsieur Marcel's to Littlejohn's Candies. Pampas Grill to Bob's Doughnuts. Cook's Library to Joan's on Third. Mishima to The Little Door. There's going to be something that everyone loves most, and the food tastings were excellent!" Posted on Yelp.
Advance purchase required.
Tours often sell out!
Farmers Market & 3rd Street Food Tour
Dinner & A Story: Progressive Dinner Events
Or to purchase by phone, call Zerve at
(800) 979-3370 or (212) 209-3370 (int'l)
"To me, the fact that a food tour company is now in LA will hopefully help people finally recognize that LA is definitely a foodie town in its own right. With LA being as big as it is, it's intimidating getting to know the dining scene. What Melting Pot Tours offers is a way to help locals get a chance to step out of their comfort zone and/or even their own neighborhood to start exploring the culinary bonanza that abounds in LA County. The same could be said for visitors or tourists, who may share the same intimidation factor of trying to weed through LA's extensive foodie landscape. With a food tour, they can get a taste of LA to start, and this opportunity could also springboard them into wanting to learn more about what
"My friend and I did this tour yesterday and had a great time also. I've been to the Farmer's Market a million times but it was fun to do it at such a leisurely pace and to get the back story on a lot of the little places that have been around for so long at the Farmer's Market. Lisa and Diane are extremely down-to-earth and knowledgeable. We also found it to be quite a value, The tastings were all very generous, and I was more than satiated by the end of the tour. I know that they are planning to put together tours of other areas in LA. I wish them much success and look forward to their other culinary tours." Also posted on Chowhound.
"Enthusiastically recommended. Doughnuts, macaroons, soba...the city of Los Angeles is all its diverse splendor. This is just what L.A. needed. I can't wait for everything that you guys will do with this!"
Male, age 19, Los Angeles
"The tour was so well organized that it seemed to run like clockwork. The directions to Farmers Market and parking were very clear, and the handout listing all the places we'd stop was very helpful. I loved the variety of food sampled, and the walking was easy and just about the right length. Diane and Lisa are both the most enthusiastic tour leaders I've been with and made it a most enjoyable day. Thanks to both of you." Female, age 86, Palos Verdes Estates, CA
"I loved the tour from start to finish. Excellent choices of restaurants with a variety of foods from savory to sweet. The tour was just the right length with a perfect number of stops. Also I appreciated knowing in advance that we were getting coffee at the first stop, so I didn't have to make any that morning at home. Thanks ladies for a well thought-out tour. You are both great!" Female, age 43, South Bay/L.A.
"I would definitely recommend the Farmers Market/3rd Street Food Tasting Tour. I thought the pace was fine, and it introduced met to places I didn't even know existed such as Le Labo. I thought that all the food was really good and certainly will return to Farmers Market to taste some of the goodies from the tour." Female, age 33, Torrance, CA
"We enjoyed it very much. As someone who has been going to the Farmers Market for 35+ years, it was great to see some sides we didn't know existed. We are planning to tell many of our friends about this. After this trip, we know we will be going back to some of the new places you showed us."
Male, age 38, Los Angeles
"My husband and I loved the tour. All the food we sampled was really delicious, and there was plenty of it! We definitely didn't go away hungry. The fun facts we learned along the way was fun too. Would highly recommend this tour to anyone who loves food and wants a fun LA experience."
Female, Palos Verdes, CA
"I would recommend the tour, because I believe the MOST important component for success, in this type of business, is the people who run the business. Diane and Lisa are both pleasant, enthusiastic and informed. Thanks for an entertaining and informative day." Female, Manhattan Beach, CA
"The Farmers Market tour was well worth the price -- even if they hadn't fed us, since the guides were very knowledgable and friendly. I've already recommended the tour to my friends and co-workers. I'm looking forward to attending other Melting Pot Tours events." Male, age 50-59, southern California
"My group was entirely female, mostly in the thirty or forty something range. Apparently there are usually a few men, but they obviously cater to a particular demographic. The food was excellent and it was totally worth the money, and the historical information given about the farmers market was a nice supplement to the traditional tasting tour. Guide was incredibly nice and informative whenever possible." Female, age under 20, Los Angeles
"Our entire group thoroughly enjoyed the Farmers Market & 3rd street walking tour. All of the food samples were great and the tour guides were very informative. My favorite treats were the donuts and macaroons. During the summer months, I suggest that the tea shop serve iced tea. I will definitely recommend this tour to anyone visiting Los Angeles." Female, age 30-39, visitor to L.A.
"The Farmer's Market and 3rd Street Food Tasting tour was the first of its kind that I have tried so I don't have data to compare. That said, here are a few pros and items that I found to be very positive--1) friendliness and interaction of tour guides, 2) size of group, 3) tour location, 4) variety of food tasting (ethnicity), 5) choice of restaurants (responsible, community-minded, small(er) businesses), and 6) price of tour. A few items to consider for future tours--1) choosing fewer stops (felt rushed at times), and 2) incorporate a few more stops where group can actually sit down to listen to history of business and taste the sample rather than standing on sidewalk (Joan's)or just inside doorway of establishment (Japanese place.) All in all my friends and I had a great time and hope to take other tours in the future." Female, age 40-49, southern California
