Highlights
- Great dessert
- Great coffee
- Great wine list
oChef » ChouChou – San Francisco
ChouChou - San Francisco
Photo from ChouChou
ChouChou at a glance
San Francisco Forest Hill
- đ„ French Restaurant
$$
Price per Person $71â$80
mentioned by 51 of the guests
#1006 out of 2403 places to eat in San Francisco
#17 French Restaurant out of 28 in San Francisco
Good
7.6 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
472
Reviews
76.5%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Authentic French
- Attentive Service
- Great Value
Frequently criticized
- Slow Service
- Inconsistent Food
- Uncomfortable Seating
The restaurant, a charming French eatery in San Francisco’s Forest Hill neighborhood, invites you to discover a delightful culinary experience. You will find ChouChou to be a perfect spot, especially if you appreciate a great dessert to complete your meal.
This cozy and romantic bistro offers a quiet escape where you can savor authentic French flavors.
Overview: Introducting ChouChou
ChouChou presents a French dining experience where the food often shines, with many guests praising dishes like the bone marrow and delightful duck confit. The service frequently earns commendation for its attentiveness and friendly staff, aiming to match the culinary quality.
Yet, some visits have encountered slow service or specific food disappointments, such as undercooked bone marrow. While the ambience is generally well-received for its quiet charm, a few found certain aspects, like seating, less comfortable.
Good
7.6
out of 10
472
Reviews
76.5%
Satisfaction
92
negative
19
neutral
361
positive
Overall, ChouChou earns a solid 7.6, reflecting a generally positive dining experience. Customer satisfaction also stands at a good 76.5%, indicating that most patrons leave content.
This assessment is drawn from 472 customer observations, with 361 positive remarks outweighing 92 negative ones. The restaurant performs consistently across key areas.
Both the Food (7.6) and Service (7.6) are rated well, suggesting a balanced offering. The Ambience (7.6) also contributes positively, while Value (7.4) is perceived as slightly lower but still within a good range.
What people like
- Authentic French cuisine
- Attentive, friendly service
- Excellent prix fixe value
What people don't like
- Slow, inattentive service
- Inconsistent dish execution
- Uncomfortable seating
ChouChou offers a generally positive French dining experience, particularly for those seeking classic dishes and good value. With a solid 7.9 recommendation score, it’s often a satisfying choice for a meal out.
If you prioritize authentic flavors and attentive staff, it’s worth a visit. However, be mindful of potential service lags or occasional inconsistencies in dish preparation, which might temper expectations for some.
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Verdict: Our expert take on ChouChou
Food (7.6 out of 10)
mentioned by 97% of the guests
It seems the food here generally hits the mark, boasting a good score of 7.6 and a solid 76% customer satisfaction. Many guests rave about the delicious French cuisine, highlighting classic dishes like duck confit Wellington, French onion soup, and the consistently praised creme brûlée, based on 209 positive remarks out of 275 total. However, not every dish is a winner, with 54 negative comments pointing to some inconsistencies.
Feedback mentions food temperature problems, dishes occasionally being bland or overcooked, and specific items like the escargot sometimes falling short of expectations.
Food
275
Reviews
76%
Satisfaction
54
negative
12
neutral
209
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Savor classic dishes
- Enjoy quality food
- Delicious Creme Brulee
What people don't like
- Food temperature issues
- Some dishes bland
- Disappointing escargot
Often praised
- foodMy experience at this restaurant was fantastic! It's a great little spot with great food. I particularly enjoyed the bone marrow appetizer, which was superb.
- onion soupThe atmosphere felt like a French bistro with its white tablecloths. We enjoyed their great onion soup, and our favorites, steak frite and moules. The duck confit Wellington was a new and delightful discovery for us.
- French onion soupMushroom ravioli and French onion soup. Both delicious.
- creme bruleeThe Creme brulee was also good. I would say about a 6/10
- escargotthe escargot (so delicious that some of us were dipping bread into the sauce afterward)
- musselsThe mussels were a huge portion
- filet mignonMy husband ordered the filet mignon, he wanted it cooked medium. It was exactly what he ordered.
- lobster raviolilobster ravioli... were all superb
- FoodFood:5
- French foodMy experience at this restaurant was very positive. It's a really nice little place with very good French food. All five of us enjoyed the three-course menu before heading to a school theater production.
Frequently criticized
- foodThe service was very slow, which was surprising given that the restaurant was mostly empty. Furthermore, the food wasn't that phenomenal for the price. I wouldn't come here again.
- bone marrowbone marrow we ordered was undercooked twice, cold in middle
- breadThe charcuterie board was disappointing, featuring only 5 slices of pùté and salamis and chorizos that tasted like they came from a cheap supermarket. The bread was simply reheated frozen bread. The duck confit's sauce was excessively sweet, making the crust soggy, and the duck itself was overcooked.
- dessertsthe desserts were decorated nicely, but super sweet
- escargotdisappointed by the escargot with a lot of parsley but not enough garlic and butter
- Beef BourguignonBeef Bourguignon was not that tender.
- Brussels Sproutsroasted Brussels Sprouts were really tough
- French onion soupThe escargot was terrible, described as a squishy mess floating in garlic and olive oil. I've had better frozen French onion soup. The lobster ravioli was unremarkable, rated 4/10 because the sauce was overpoweringly bad.
- Lamb ChopsLamb Chops were chewy
- MusselsMussels were ALSO overcooked
If you're looking for a generally good French meal with some standout classics, this place is worth a try. Just be aware that while many dishes are delicious, there might be occasional inconsistencies in temperature or flavor, so manage your expectations.
Service (7.6 out of 10)
mentioned by 77% of the guests
When it comes to service, this spot generally hits the mark! With a solid score of 7.6 and customer satisfaction at a good 74.7%, many guests rave about the attentive service and great staff. Specific shout-outs go to individuals like Marina and David, and the pleasant surprise of the chef greeting diners, making for a truly welcoming experience.
Out of 87 total opinions, 65 were positive, highlighting excellent attention and quick seating. However, its not always perfect. About 20 opinions pointed to some areas for improvement, including issues like slow service, inattentive staff, and even wrong plates being delivered.
Some guests also noted concerns about staff attire and a lack of attention to details like water refills or clearing empty plates, suggesting theres a bit of inconsistency in the overall service delivery.
Service
87
Reviews
74%
Satisfaction
20
negative
2
neutral
65
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Attentive staff
- Friendly service
- Chef interaction
What people don't like
- Slow service
- Order mistakes
- Lack of attentiveness
Often praised
- serviceIf you treasure authentic French food, this is a perfect small, Neighborhood gem. I didnât have better French food in France, and the service matches the quality of food. *****
- staffThe recently renovated space boasts very good new decor that feels as sophisticated as the food. Service was a little slow, but the staff were very friendly and informed. Overall, it's a great neighborhood treasure.
- ServiceService:5
- attentive serviceAttentive service with delicious and excellent value
- DyshaShout out to Dysha- very nice, friendly and helped recommend which dishes were great
- Forest Hill Stationfew steps away from Forest Hill Station.
- MarinaMy experience at the restaurant was for a birthday dinner. The service was wonderful, and Marina went above and beyond to make it special!
- attentionguests were fascinated with the attention
- attentive staffNice attentive staff
- chefthe chef checked in on us several times
Frequently criticized
- serviceMy experience at this restaurant was disappointing. The service was very slow, which was surprising given that the restaurant was mostly empty. Furthermore, the food wasn't that phenomenal for the price.
- ServiceThe recently renovated space boasts very good new decor that feels as sophisticated as the food. Service was a little slow, but the staff were very friendly and informed. Overall, it's a great neighborhood treasure.
- waiting timeThe staff were inattentive, and the bone marrow we ordered was undercooked twice and cold in the middle. The waiting time was atrocious.
- Clover payment systemClover payment system doesn't work at all
- QR code paymentPayment by QR code ultimately didn't work
- empty platesthey saw our empty plates and keep ignoring them
- serversno french servers neither so they had no ideas that the food wasn't authentic
- staffMy experience at this restaurant was disappointing. The staff were inattentive, and the bone marrow we ordered was undercooked twice and cold in the middle. The waiting time was atrocious.
- staff attentionthe guy inside saw us. He did not go outside
- staff attirethe staff were dressed like it was their day off - hoodies, jeans, sneakers
Overall, the service here leans heavily towards the positive, with many guests enjoying attentive and friendly interactions. While there are occasional hiccups like slow moments or minor mistakes, its generally a place where you can expect good care. If you value a welcoming atmosphere and personal touches, its definitely worth a visit.
Ambience (7.6 out of 10)
mentioned by 60% of the guests
The ambience here really shines, with many guests praising the new decor, atmosphere, and overall vibe. Its often highlighted as a perfect spot for a romantic evening or date night, especially with its inviting outdoor eating area and patio featuring heaters. With a strong 7.6 score and 80.2% customer satisfaction, its clear why so many love the relaxed setting, based on 69 positive remarks.
However, not everyone found it perfect. Some guests mentioned challenges with parking, particularly the parking lot, and a few found the chairs uncomfortable. There were also comments about echoes of conversations and even the temperature being freezing, suggesting some inconsistencies in the overall experience, as noted in 14 negative observations.
Ambience
86
Reviews
80%
Satisfaction
14
negative
3
neutral
69
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Tasteful new decor
- Lovely outdoor patio
- Quiet, romantic vibe
What people don't like
- Difficult parking
- Uncomfortable chairs
- Echoing conversations
Often praised
- atmosphereatmosphere of the place was modern, but laid back
- AtmosphereAtmosphere:4
- decorThe decor and ambiance are very nice
- placeMy experience at this restaurant was very positive. Although it wasn't too busy, it's a lovely little place. The prices were very reasonable for a 3 course meal.
- ambianceThe decor and ambiance are very nice
- ambienceVery quiet, relaxing ambience.
- dining roomBeautiful, stylish dining room with a lot of French flair
- noise levelNoise level:Quiet, easy to talk
- parkingHard to find parking? No.
- spaceWhile the desserts were not as great, mostly not very French and underwhelming, the creme brulee was a notable exception. The recently renovated space boasts very good new decor that feels as sophisticated as the food. Service was a little slow, but the staff were very friendly and informed.
Frequently criticized
- parking lotThe decor is fresh and lovely, and the service was excellent, friendly and accommodating. It's a little tricky getting into the parking lot on the right side of the building if coming to it on the opposite side of the street. The good news, though, is that there IS parking!
- atmosphereThe atmosphere was lacking all together
- parkingThe place is small, clean and simple, offering typical French dishes. While parking is difficult, the overall atmosphere was rated a 3. The single server was accommodating and friendly, impressively managing all occupied tables alone, contributing to a service rating of 3.
- additionseated in the addition which felt like a trailer
- comfortable chairsexisting ones are quite uncomfortable
- echoes of conversationshearing the echoes of all other conversations
- fake candles3 long fake candles...were just out of place and in the way
- feeling welcomewe felt that we are not welcome
- heatthe place was freezeing and it didn't change
- restaurantpretend that they are a special restaurant and they are not
If you're looking for a charming spot with a great atmosphere for a special occasion or a relaxed evening, this place is definitely worth checking out. Just be mindful of potential parking quirks and maybe grab a cozy sweater if you tend to get chilly!
Value (7.4 out of 10)
mentioned by 23% of the guests
When it comes to value, this spot generally hits the mark with a 7.4 score and a solid 75% customer satisfaction. Many guests rave about the great deal they found, especially with prix fixe menus and fixed-price options offering excellent value for multi-course meals. With 18 positive remarks, it seems many feel the prices are quite reasonable for what you get, making a splurge feel justified.
However, not everyone was convinced, with 4 opinions suggesting it was not worth the money. Some felt the food wasnt phenomenal "for the price, " and one specific complaint mentioned an "undeserved tip" being added. While these are fewer in number, they highlight that expectations around value can vary, especially if youre not opting for their special deals.
Value
24
Reviews
75%
Satisfaction
4
negative
2
neutral
18
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Great prix fixe
- Excellent value
- Reasonable prices
What people don't like
- Not worth money
- Undeserved tip
Often praised
- prix fixeThe $60 prix fixe is a steal
- priceprice was reasonble
- 3 entrees for $60We had the 3 entrees for $60
- Restaurant Week dealIt's a great deal for a starter, entree and dessert.
- excellent valuedelicious and excellent value of classic and contemporary dishes
- fixed-price optionthe fixed-price option for a three-course dinner even made it a good deal
- good dealeven made it a good deal
- great dealit was a great deal for the bucks
- great pricefood was amazing at a great price
- price pointMy experience at this restaurant was largely positive, with a great price point and quality food. The service and atmosphere were both rated a perfect 5.
Frequently criticized
- 20 percent tipthey added a 20 percent tip on the bill that wasnt deserved
- meal delivery servicesREALLY disappointed with all the meal delivery services lately (little bang for lotsa bucks)
- moneyOverall definitely not worth the money
- priceThe service was very slow, which was surprising given that the restaurant was mostly empty. Furthermore, the food wasn't that phenomenal for the price. I wouldn't come here again.
If youre looking for a great deal, especially with their prix fixe or multi-course options, this place offers excellent value. Just be mindful of the final bill and ensure the service matches the price, as a few guests felt it wasnt always worth the money.
How are the prices at ChouChou?
Youâre looking at roughly 74 $ per person â reported by 51 diners. That places it in the $71â$80 category. For a French Restaurant in San Francisco, this is definitely on the higher-end of mid-range, verging on premium.
While 74 $ is the average, its interesting to see a good number of diners spending quite a bit more. Theres a strong cluster in the $71â$80 range, but also many venturing into the $91â$100 and even $101+ categories. This suggests a mix of experiences, from a solid, upscale meal to a more indulgent, premium one.
Hereâs a quick look at what guests spend per person, based on the latest 51 reviews.
How this restaurant’s value stacks up against similar spots in San Francisco.
Overall, we feel the pricing is fair for a higher-end French restaurant experience in San Francisco. It suggests a focus on quality and a memorable dining occasion.
Customer Reviews: what people think about ChouChou
Visit Type
- Special Occasion
Group Type
- Family
Group Size
- Small Group
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
Wait Time
- Immediate (0â5 min.)
Noise Level
- Quiet
9
Wonderful Birthday Celebration at Chou Chou
We recently celebrated a birthday at Chou Chou and had a truly wonderful experience. The service was excellent; our servers were incredibly kind and attentive throughout the entire evening. We found the food to be great, and the prix fixe menu offered a great value.
Among the highlights at our table were the escargot, which were so delicious that some of us were dipping bread into the sauce afterward, the clam chowder, the mussels, the filet, and the salmon.
- service10
- food9
- prix fixe menu9
Price per Person
- $91â$100
Visit Type
- Special Occasion
Group Type
- Large Group
Group Size
- Large Group
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
Wait Time
- Immediate (0â5 min.)
Noise Level
- Quiet
8
Great Birthday Dinner, Minor Dessert Hiccup
This is a classic San Francisco restaurant located in a less typical neighborhood, which was a pleasant surprise. It offered a fine dining experience without the usual downtown hassles like noise, difficult parking, or a feeling of unsafety. We felt safe and comfortable in the neighborhood.
My wife arranged a reservation for a ten-person party to celebrate my son's 17th and my daughter's 21st birthdays. We enjoyed a variety of dishes from the prefix menu, and everyone was pleased, which is not always an easy feat. I personally had the short ribs and found them to be fabulous.
The only issue of the evening was a small oversight with the birthday dessert; they forgot to bring one out for my daughter after singing for my son. While it was nice they sang, my son felt a bit embarrassed, and my daughter was understanding. We chose not to make a fuss as mistakes happen.
Overall, we were pleased with the evening.
- neighborhood9
- short ribs10
- prefix menu8
- birthday dessert4
- service5
Price per Person
- $71â$80
Visit Type
- Special Occasion
Group Type
- Couple
Group Size
- Couple
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
10
Superb Anniversary Dinner!
My experience at this restaurant was fantastic, especially as we celebrated our anniversary. The food was superb, with the French onion soup being sublime and the crab avocado salad absolutely delicious. Even the Opera cake was a treat, adorned with gold flakes.
We truly cannot recommend this place enough.
- food10
- French onion soup10
- crab avocado salad9
Price per Person
- $21â$30
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Group Type
- Couple
Group Size
- Couple
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
Wait Time
- Immediate (0â5 min.)
Noise Level
- Quiet
10
Best Duck Confit Ever!
My experience at this restaurant was heavenly, thanks to their duck confit. It was so incredible that I could only manage one bite at first, saving the rest to share. I still think about that amazing bite.
Thank you, merci!
- duck confit10
- incredible bite10
- Service10
Price per Person
- $31â$40
Visit Type
- Romantic Date
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
Wait Time
- Immediate (0â5 min.)
Noise Level
- Quiet
9
Impressive Dinner with Great Menu Options
I had a very impressive dinner experience at this restaurant. The menu was extensive and offered a great variety of options. I chose from the pre-fix menu and was highly impressed with my selection.
This place is great for a date night! I highly recommend making reservations.
- menu9
- pre-fix menu9
- date night9
What ChouChou offers
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible parking lot
- Wheelchair accessible seating
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
Crowd
- Family-friendly
- LGBTQ+ friendly
- Transgender safespace
- Groups
Payments
- Debit cards
- Checks
- Credit cards
- NFC mobile payments
Children
- Kids' menu
- Good for kids
Popular for
- Dinner
- Solo dining
Amenities
- Gender-neutral restroom
- Bar onsite
- Restroom
Offerings
- Happy hour drinks
- Wine
- Coffee
- Beer
- Organic dishes
- Vegetarian options
- Alcohol
Dining options
- Dinner
- Seating
- Dessert
Service Options
- No-contact delivery
- Takeout
- Outdoor seating
- Dine-in
- Delivery
Parking
- Free street parking
- Free parking lot
- Usually plenty of parking
Atmosphere
- Romantic
- Cozy
- Casual
- Quiet
FAQs
What kind of atmosphere and dining options can you find at ChouChou French Bistro?
At ChouChou French Bistro, you can expect a romantic, cozy, and quiet atmosphere, perfect for a relaxed meal. You can enjoy dinner and dessert, with comfortable seating available for your dining pleasure.
What convenient services and accessibility features does ChouChou French Bistro offer?
ChouChou French Bistro provides various services including no-contact delivery, takeout, outdoor seating, and dine-in. It is also fully wheelchair accessible, with an accessible entrance, parking lot, seating, and restroom for your convenience.
How does ChouChou generally perform across different aspects?
ChouChou maintains a good overall score of 7.6. Its Food (7.6), Service (7.6), and Ambience (7.6) are all rated well, with Value (7.4) also performing solidly.
What do customers particularly enjoy about ChouChou's offerings?
Many guests appreciate the authentic French cuisine, with specific praise for dishes like the bone marrow and duck confit. The restaurant’s excellent prix fixe options are also frequently highlighted for their value.
Are there any common concerns or areas for improvement at ChouChou?
Some customers have noted slow or inattentive service, and occasional inconsistencies in dish execution. Issues like uncomfortable seating or payment system glitches have also been mentioned.