I've always used melamine, people only seem to complain about it being heavy, well compared to other woods... yea, its heavy because its dense, which means it holds heat well and isn't that what we want? also i like the fact you can buy some iron-on edging for it and make it look like a professional job with ease.

personally i wouldn't bother with pine or cedar, like said b4 you have to seal it and melamine comes already to go :-)