The act of eating fondue forces diners to slow down, as you'll quickly discover at this Swiss-inspired restaurant owned by chef Andrew Thorpe. He's created a menu of mostly cheese and meat fondues, accompanied with all kinds of condiments and accompaniments. For dessert, you might as well go all the way and indulge in the chocolate fondue. The interior, walled in knotty-pine paneling, has the feel of an Alpine chalet. The inviting service orchestrated by Brigitte Thorpe is as warming as the cheese. In addition, there's a list of hard-to-find Swiss red and white wines.
Cuisine: Swiss Specialities: Fondue (nine kinds, including chocolate for dessert); raclette with potatoes and pickles; Wiener schnitzel Seats: 85 Prices: $14-$22.75 Parking: Valet $8; some lots Vitals: 2323 Van Ness Ave. (between Green and Vallejo), San Francisco; (415) 885-6116. Dinner Tuesday-Sunday. Full bar. Reservations and credit cards accepted.
