Spaces, CA, San Mateo - Spaces - Downtown San Mateo Clocktower

Tony Han a year ago

A multicultural brunch place with an interesting pricing scheme. Food: 9/10, Price: 6.5/10, Ambience: 7.5/10, Service: 7.5/10 Food: we ordered comfort duck, lamb curry, fried chicken shareable. The duck was our fave with fried chicken as the close second. Confit duck is soaked with flavours - the sweatiness is more prominent as is the rosemary aroma. It’s paired with a salad and small potatoes. It was a good portion too. The fried chicken was light and crispy - still juicy but a bit on the oily side. That’s why they compensated it with picketed (or at least slated) lemon peels with mini radish slices paired with a tar tar/ranch like sauce. The lamb was great flavour paired with rice, topped with cheese but he portion is small - even given its “low” $15 price. Price: the portion is good, but the price is not very clear. There’s a mandatory SF Mandate. It is a fee to cover health care for the staff but the restaurant can either absorb it or add to to the bill. There is also a mandatory 19% gratuity. These terms were on the menu but it was still odd why can’t they add the mandate to the price of food and why the gratuity is mandatory. I’m not sure we were serviced much expect for asking us how is the food. Ambience: it was outdoors for us and they have heaters. It was okay. Service: once again not over the top service. I’m okay with paying good wage for staff and let the market decides if they still want to eat out, but I’m not liking the idea of forcing a gratuity. Just increase the price.

Jake Ness 5 years ago

I have worked in numerous Spaces throughout the Bay Area and the new San Mateo location is by far my favorite. Easy to get to off 101 or 280, ample parking, and lots of great food options within walking distance. The offices are beautiful and the view from the roof is spectacular. Staff are friendly and accommodating.

Smita Das 4 years ago

Bad experience... the day after I signed the agreement, my father was in the hospital and I couldn't go for a few months. I tried repeatedly to call and see if they would refund the money or pause the contract, and got email responses that made no sense, was hung up on multiple times after holding forever. Finally just cancelled, but the contract wont let me cancel for more than a month. Pretty space but very disappointed.