Say Cheese at The Melting Pot

The Melting Pot fondue restaurant in San Mateo is one busy place on a Saturday night. Couples, families, and groups or friends happily occupy cozy booths and tables for two, and no one seems to mind doing the cooking themselves. “When you serve raw food, you can’t get away with anything but the best,” says Rob Sanchez, who opened the restaurant with his partner Andrew Clark merely months ago. Speedy waiters, who would heat a pot of seasoned bouillon, broth, or mixed cheeses right on the table top, bring raw meats, seafood, and vegetables for dipping, and pour wines from a well-selected list. Chocolate fondues include dark, milk, and white varieties to cover strawberries, apple slices or cubes of sponge cake. Sanchez considers his restaurant—a part of a franchise, spread out in the Bay Area and beyond—a special occasion place, where flowers can be delivered to a celebratory table, and a card can be handed to a birthday boy/girl on request. “I was number 124 [nationwide],” said Sanchez about his franchise, where he and Clark invested their own labor and creativity in decorating the high-ceiling train station building, now adorned with granite tabletops, blown glass light fixtures, and original wine-themed paintings by Leane Laine. Upon entering, the first thing one sees is a glass-encased streaming water feature over the head of a hostess, Bianca Ratti, or her equally charming colleagues. On both sides of the entrance, and straight ahead, there are long and narrow dining halls, which create an intimate space for every party. On a second floor, there is a party space for a larger group, and a Lover’s Lane with tiny tables just for two. On a nice day, a heated courtyard provides plenty of air and a close view of the trains passing by. At the bar, Quin O’Hara and other bartenders not only mix cocktails and give wine pairing suggestions, but serve food, and heat those shiny fondue pots, creating delectable mixtures to dip some baguette slices into. All this sipping and dipping takes time, though. “People come here to spend two-three hours,” said Sanchez. “Sometimes, they have a babysitter at home, or have to go somewhere after dinner, and they don’t realize that time flies here.” When you are having fun that is. The Melting Pot San Mateo is located at 2 North St. Call 650-342-6358 for reservations, or visit www.meltingpot.com Photo by Yuri Krasov. Rob Sanchez invites you to The Melting Pot.