New dark, pendent light-illuminated interior, part of San Mateo Cal- Trains station complex. When we asked hostess for a seat by window, we were informed that all seating is assigned when reservations are made--this did not set a positive tone. We were seated in a 2 person windowless booth,with a small table.
Menu was presented by pleasant server who said this was her first day on the job, and who collected marketing information from us via questions inserted into her conversation, including: 'how did you hear about us' 'where are you from.' Menu options are varied, a few options for non-meat eaters. Extensive wine list. We ordered a la carte and fondue ingredients were brought to table/mixed, then wine and soda drinks were brought maybe 5 minutes later to the table. The a la carte salads--which were the other component of our dinner--arrived about 10 minutes later than the fondue. Having both at the same time would have been nice, also having plates to use with fondue would be helpful as well.
Spinach/cheese fondue sized for two was good, spinach bacon salad average with average dressing. Fondue ingredients--breads, apple slices, chips were fresh. Wait person brought dessert menu while we were still eating salads, wanting to now if we were ready order dessert--told her we would like to finish dinner first. She left the dessert menu on the small table; the book then fell sideways and knocked one of diners' drinks over into one diner's lap, the table, and floor. Shortly after that, a random waitperson appeared wanting to know, though it what obvious that we were still eating,if we were ready for our entrees. WE told her that we had not ordered other entrees. It seems that wait staff is encouraged to push people through-- at various other times suited people--not appearing to be diners--peered around into our cubby hole, assessing our eating progress.
Wait staff needs additional training on timing, being less intrusive with the move the-diner- process, and responding to customers requests for different seating. Probably not a place I would rush back to, definately not a relaxing experience, though wait staff were pleasant and food was unique. Pricing is about average for San Mateo--menu us available on line.