A woman who serves customers in a restaurant, bar, or similar establishment. The term is somewhat dated and may carry a slightly old-fashioned or formal tone; in modern contexts, ホステス or ウェイトレス are more common.
At that restaurant, the hostess was taking orders politely.
Compound of 接客 (customer service) and 婦 (woman, lady). The exact historical origin is uncertain, but it likely emerged in the early 20th century as a formal occupational title.