ChouChou French Bistro Reviews

We visited on a Tuesday night arriving at 6:30. Even though we made a reservation on the phone, we were not on their reservation list. No problem, the place was only a third full. We were seated at a small table for 15 mins. before a menu was brought to the table. We were not welcomed or greeted warmly just handed a menu. It was 10 or more mins. before the waitress returned to take our order and this was with only 5 other tables occupied. At least we had warm french bread and butter. Wine by the glass is very expensive for our taste. I had the escargots a l'ail and it was the worst escargots I have ever had---dry, warm but not hot, no butter/garlic sauce, opening of shell covered in something resembling pesto--yuck. My husband had the composed salad and he said it was "dry" with almost no dressing. We both ordered a hangar steak and it was cooked perfectly but the crust was somewhat salty. It was served with a runny blue cheese sauce but the tumeric aioli made a good "dip" for the steak. Pommes frites were ok but nothing special. We had the vanilla creme brulee for dessert and we could not finish them because they were too cloying. Our waitress was almost non existent. She took our order, brought the drinks and returned at the end with our bill. She never asked if we wanted refills on our drinks or asked how our meal was. The busboy was excellent. Refilled our bread without asking, brought our food to the table, smiled and was friendly. We had heard good things about this restaurant so we were very disappointed in our experience. We won't be returning.

Not too busy at lunch time. Came at noon and only three other tables. Service was very friendly. Good selection of crepes and salads on lunch menu. Had some bigger entrées if you want a bigger lunch.

Having enjoyed several excellent (and expensive!) French restaurants in Paris, as well as a few great French restaurants in our home city of San Diego, we look forward to our annual trip to San Francisco and visits to Chouchou. As I write this I cannot understand the several negative reviews on the Internet interspersed among all the good ones. It has been nothing but a positive French culinary experience for my wife and me each time we have visited. Chef/Owner Michaels and his waitress Melanie have always taken great care to welcome us back plus meet and often exceed our high expectations. We have tried several items on their Provence-based menu, and we have our favorites that we can recommend without reservation. The Onion Soup is superb, very tasty served in a crock loaded with Gruyere cheese and just a few crotons. It is definitely one of the best we have eaten anywhere, including Paris! For a main entrée consider the filet mignon (medium rare) with green peppercorn sauce and truffle mashed potatoes or duck leg confit (not deep fried) or lamb chops. Our favorite dessert is the Ille Flottante, a house specialty, but Crepe Suzettes prepared tableside is both a culinary and visual treat. We have had great success with our Groupons (well explained in advance of the limitations, so no surprises or disappointments); there are also year-around, similar, cost-effective prix-fixe menus always available. Overall we find Chouchou to be delicious food and ample servings at a very fair SF cost. We will look forward to coming back to Chouchou every time we come to SF, and definitely as long as Chef Michaels is in charge.

YOu've got to try their Chocolate Tort dessert....

What a disappointment! This restaurant has gone downhill considerably since our last visit probably two years ago. Four of us dined at Chou-chou on Saturday evening, and the whole experience was kind of sad. When two of us ordered the classic French aperitif, Lillet Blanc, the waiter had to check to see if the bar had any. One person at our table ordered a gin-and-tonic, but they had no gin whatsoever. Despite our having ordered Lillet Blanc on the rocks with an orange twist, the drinks came chilled, straight-up. They were out of many of the bottles of wine on their wine list. None of the food dishes was up to par, for the entire table of four. The crab-and-avocado appetizer appeared as though the kitchen staff open a can of gray-appearing "fishy stuff" that did not taste like crab. Main courses were equally under par. The lamb shank was severely over-cooked, with limp vegetables. The Boeuf Bourguignon was flavorless. The dessert tarts were stale. All-in-all, the dinner was one of the worst French meals we've had in San Francisco. We will not be going back, I'm afraid.

My husband and I went to Chouchou after reading all the good reviews it's gotten on Yelp. Here are our thoughts. First of all, this restaurant has very friendly and attentive service. The wait staff made our experience better than that it would've been. The busboy was notably efficient. If there shall be a first time for everything, this shall be my first time commenting on a busboy on Yelp. Yes, the busboy was a standout that night. Now on to the food. The appetizers were excellent. The escargot and mussels met all of our expectations stemmed from all the raves on Yelp. But unfortunately after that, the entrees and desserts were disappointing. From 5-star appetizers, the rest of the evening took a nose dive to 3-star (if even) entrees and dessert. The cassolette was bland and the duck leg was not spectacular. The potatoes that came with the duck however were very good. The truffle oil on them leaves this lingering goodness that makes you lick your teeth to savor the flavor even longer. The "mandarin" chocolate tart was a little "misleading". We thought there would be more mandarins on the tart. Instead there were just 3 very very thin slivers on the top of a really rich chocolate tart. I was hoping for something fruitier than that as the name suggested. Since the appetizers were so excellent, next time we will order a bunch of them instead and pass on the entrees.

This is our third visit to this small local restaurant in a nearby neighborhood. It is perfect for a romantic evening. The food is always delicious and it reminds me of our visit to Paris last year. The chef, Michael, came to our table soon after we started eating to ensure we were enjoying our food. My husband ordered the mussels and they portion was generous and full of flavor. I order the almond crusted Salmon special over a bed of baby artichokes and cherry tomatoes. My plate was an explosion of flavor. They also serve ample warm french bread. We brought our 2 year old and the staff was very attentive and accommodating to her as well. If you are looking for an inviting gem in Forest Hill off the Muni line, this is a perfect place to enjoy a nice meal and atmosphere. We will be back!

I was born here so I have some cred. Everything is great but I love mussels even though they have all the favorites, escargot steak tartare, and lots of other great appetizers. I had Salmon in a dill sauce with artichokes and my daughter had duck confit which were both awesome. The salmon was cooked just like I like the waitress asked, pink but not raw. Not the fanciest restaurant in the city but great food and not crazy expensive, Well worth a visit!!

I am hesitant to be too positive since this neighborhood bistro is already in high demand! But each time I go there, the food surprises me in its deliciousness. This time I had the mushroom ravioli as an apetizer and it was wonderful. The baguette had the crunchy crust I love. The main dish on my $40 3 course menu that I had was the confit of duck thigh Wellington. Delicious with ample tender meat. The pastry crust was small and underneath the thigh. We got a side of asparagus, slender perfectly prepared stalks. My cousin shared her green beans, also slender and perfectly prepared. I tasted my husband's delicate salmon in a delicious pesto with artichoke hearts and loved that dish too. And what can I say about their dark chocolate mousse except that it was a generous portion and of perfect texture.

Excellent French food in a charming setting. Small restaurant with an attentive waitstaff and beautifully curated menu. Feel free to skip the garlic/truffle/parm frites...thick, powdery, not worth the calories when compared to the other treats you can get here. Mussels are delicious and perfectly prepared and good whether you order them sauced with the red or the white. The Beef Bourguignon is terrific and if that type of dish is high on your comfort food list, you'll want to order it, for sure. The French Onion soup is typically steaming hot, delicious, and brothy with ample bread and cheese on top. Just great! And, if you've saved room, top off your meal with the dessert of your dreams: Ile Flottante - Light soft meringue, vanilla cream, caramel, toasted almonds. Now that we know about that dessert, it will be even easier to skip those frites and maybe even some of the bread. To DIE FOR!

Great bread great food and parking. What more can you ask for? We had the lamb chops but the winner for us was the Duck Leg Confit. Would definitely go back

Chouchou was one of the worst decisions I have made. The food is absurdly overpriced, cheap quality, it's frozen food renamed in French. Even the wine was bad and we didn't get to try it before. They pretend to be elegant but it is very cheaply decorated. The service is terrible. The waiters are rude, for a restaurant of that price you shouldn't be treated badly. This one waiter would react badly to every question or request. Plus the music wasn't the best. Please don't come here, please. I felt scammed.

Out of the downtown hassle and the usual tourist spots is a tiny germ located in the West Portal area of San Francisco. I maintain that great restaurants have many qualities in common with one another, irrespective of the style or country of origin. They includes the freshest of ingredients, a blend of easily identified foods with distinctive favors, well presented and served. They usually don't have to stretch to invent something, no odd mixtures or combinations that challenge the taste buds and the senses. They are fairly priced and each dish representative of itself, earning its place on the menu... ChouChou is one of those exceptional places from the first bite to the last. We had mussels provencale (choice of two styles) as an appetizer, a mushroom soufflé, crab salad with avocado, duck breast--the special for the evening--what a sauce! And, we topped off the meal with ile flottante ("floating" island) meringue with crisp almond slivers and creme anglaise. An extensive list of French and American wines complements the meal. We can't wait to come back to sample more.

I had been to this restaurant before and was really happy with the food and the service on my first trip. However, the second time, unfortunately with visitors from the midwest, my steak was tough and stringy, a waiter dropped a wine glass which shattered all over my nephew's foot, and the bathrooms were out of order. The dropped glass could happen to anyone, right? But the service was very slow and almost unfriendly.

Great manager; these guys offer you a glass of champagne each time you wait for more than 5 mn at the door. Excellent food and service. A bit noisy, just like most restaurants.

On a quiet Tuesday night:The hostess was more interested in her texting and schmozing with staff than the customers. Most of the food tasted preprepared. Absolutely the worst French french fries I have ever had. LOOK FOR ANOTHER FRENCH RESTAURANT in SF!

Good for watching world cup soccer game

My family was excited to try the restaurant. However, problems began as we walked in the door. Upon opening the door, a wind tunnel is created and pulls you in and forces you to slam the door. The waiter/maître d’ was at the back counter texting on his phone and neglected to acknowledge us. Finally he walked over and sat us and then went back to texting. He finally came over and took our order. I ordered the beef bourguignon which is a braised beef in Burgundy wine, but received chicken in Burgundy sauce. I finally called the waiter over and he said, "oh we had to switch the meal....I forgot to tell you." I replied I don't want it and sent the food back. The waiter was kind to ask if I wanted another item, but I said, "no." He did bring me a salad, at no cost. Another in my party ordered the Angus 8oz Hanger Steak and the meat tasted very old, almost as if it had soured. And, there was not 8 oz on his plate. The other person in the party was satisfied with her meal. Caution, the bathroom is disgusting. It is old, tired and dirty. Watch for the wind tunnel on the way out of the restaurant as well. Service was fine but nothing to write home about. Overall, the two meals colored our opinion of the restaurant. I would never go back and I am surprised other reviews are much more satisfactory. I would not recommend this the restaurant.

Chouchou is a very unpretentious looking, truly authentic French bistro convenient to Forest Hill, West Portal, Laguna Honda and other West Side neighborhoods. It does have its own parking lot adjacent to the restaurant -- and in San Francisco, that alone would be sufficient to recommend it. The owners, chefs and staff are all French and have a true love for authentic French bistro food. The foie gras, while expensive, is extraordinary. All of the beef dishes are excellent. The duck confit is wonderful. By all means, save room for the homemade fruit tarts, which are always a highlight. The wine list is extensive and reasonably priced. The location is not spectacular. It does look like a small strip mall and is next door to a fortune teller. Do not let that dissuade you. You will be delighted by a good French bistro evening. Do allow some time. The service is truly French -- a bit relaxed.

The staff is welcoming and attentive. Food here has been consistantly good in our past visits. I had the filet mignon and mashed potatoes with garlic. My wife had the filet also but as part of the $65 prix fixe menue.Escargot, filet and mash, the chocolate walnut house made tart and a glass of wine. I love the bread here too. Wouldn't be a good French restaurant without good bread! All in all a very nice night at a nice restaurant. Parking is often available adjacent to the restaurant.

This was an amazing gem in the inner sunset/ west portal neighborhood... The ambiance was very europe bistro, quaint and cozy (no more than 25 tables of 2-4)... the food Absolutely delicious... perfection. The owner and chef greeted and mingled with us and all guest and payed extra attn to most guests ,even offering a free sweet for dinner to us since I was pregnant. It was sweet. AMAZING french cuisine at it's finest... better than most places in france and I have been a lot since my family lives in europe. My favorites are the foie gras, the mussels(both a dinner on it's own), duck confit, hanger steak, brussels and of course their artichokes..... YUM! Chouchou is very generous and will def. go back again.

We have been driving past this place for the last seven years and never got around to go until lately. It was a Friday night and it should have been busier than it was. The onion soup was better than average due to the crispy cheese. The Duck Confit was salty and not as tender as it should be, and my daughter is an expert in Duck Confit and she didn't like it a bit. I had the Duck Magret, and the natural flavor of this amazing duck meat would have been more transparent without the sauce it was drowned in. I have the pleasure of preparing Duck Magret several times and it is so naturally flavorful without salt or anything on it. My whole view about duck meat changed drastically after that. The customer service was wonderful, especially when it came to the preparation of the Crepe Suzette. We felt as though we were at some magic show and the fire lit up like an explosive star that it was fun to watch. And the crepe had the right balance of liquor and sugar but the orange zest was a bit too tart. But I think this place makes a romantic place for a date.

A VERY LONG OVERDUE UPDATE: An Unrepentant 5 Star Love Note about the complexity of service and production of great food. When people have an expectation of flawlessness, their lives must be misery. 99% of your meals will be flawless, and 99% of a restaurants production and delivery may be flawless - but invariably, our human condition rears it's head, and something may go awry, amiss, or just plain wrong. THIS is not important - for the realists, these things happen. All that matters is the reaction, accountability, and response. This old haunt of ours changed hands, and the new ownership is profoundly dedicated, and nothing but committed, to creating wonderful food and experiences for it's guests. We started with a few Kir Royals, both got Onion Soup (traditional, not overly American - complex, not overly sweet, using all the right onions. The Steak Tartare was traditional, and delicious. The frites were also delicious. We got also got a tasty Burgundy for along the way. =) I was curious about a new menu item, and got the Mushroom Souffle. This is where the problem arose: the souffle obviously had an extreme amount of some sand or grit in it. I am just a man who knows what he knows, and I am never angry or contentious (nor disappointed) when I have to send something back to be cooked right or re-heated. I note that restaurant owners and servers are so poorly educated or skilled in how to handle these moments, which honestly should pass with amicable mutual respect and low key accountability. The mushrooms or morels in the souffle weren't washed, there was obvious sand, oh well. Honestly, it could have been blended egg shell or something. I told the server. The server didn't make justifications, excuses, or as so often happens, defensively acts out at me, suggesting I don't know what I am talking about. The server said, "Sorry, I will grab the chef", Chef comes out, obseqious, apologetic, and totally deferential without knowing or understanding the situation - totally accountable before even knowing I was "full of it". He was THE BEST. We chatted for a bit about the change of ownership, his views and missions, passion with food.... Also about his cultural shift from New York to here. That's got to be wild! Hope you are hanging in there, sir! But his response was everything that is supposed to happen in food service, and never does. He took the souffle to the kitchen, tasted it, came back out and confirmed that it was absolutely wrong, and then preceded to regale us with a couple complimentary sides that were delicious... it was a bit over the top, and we couldn't finish it all, but it was such a grand and rare classy gesture. I wish I could offer more than a review. When stuff like this happens, I don't care at all. I linger, I am La Flanuer - so I don't really have anywhere to go when I am with my love, eating, and drinking. =) I just deplore when people become unskilled, fall over themselves, act insecure, over-apologize... or worse, don't take accountability, don't taste the food I suggested was wrong or cooked improperly, and then becomes reactive and rude, blaming me, the guest. I know a lot of guests are idiot and full of it, but until you know for sure you have to be calm, patient, and respectful. The majority of San Francisco's fine dining establishments and other eateries could learn a lot from this restaurant's staff, and chef. It is vital to pe consistent and do the best you can.... but it is also the most extreme of responsibilities to be transparent, accountable, and have the professional confidence, pride, and self-respect to admit failure or mistake. When you can be that humble, you will only learn and grow. I can't believe how extraordinary experience we had here, with the new ownership. It reminded me how depressing the staff and kitchens at most restaurants are. Thank you Chouchou. Very much. Bravo and well done.

It is 8:30 pm on a Saturday evening and my wife and I have just returned from dinner at Chouchou. This restaurant has been at its current location for several years and has garnered rave reviews for its food and décor. We have driven passed the restaurant many times, as well as riding by on Muni … so we were enthused at finally trying it. The $72 Groupon dinner for two (two glasses of house wine, two entrees, and one dessert to share) made it especially attractive. Reviewers got it right about the décor: quaint, friendly, unpresumptuous. The establishment is a small venue so tables are indeed crowded. Reviewers also got it right about the bread: crunchy and delicious. Unfortunately the entrees were quite disappointing. My wife ordered lamb chops: they were not chops in the common usage, rather three large pieces of what looked like meat but, counting bone, amounted to about a mouthful each. They were covered with a heavy cloying dark brown sauce that was described as made of plums but which added little to the overall flavor of the dish. Green beans were … green beans. The yam was touted as cooked with bacon but neither of us could detect its addition. I ordered a shell steak with asparagus and mashed potato. Lots of gristle and fat on the meat that was drowning in a dark sauce that tasted overwhelmingly of pepper (definitely no taste of the Madeira wine it was supposed to contain). Billed as “truffle-mashed,” the two dollops of potato were generally bland. We ordered the Île Flottante based on gushing comments of reviewers. As described by the menu, the meringue was indeed light but tasteless, though the cream, caramel, and toasted almonds were delightful. We ordered house wine: unbelievably, the white had no real taste of its own. Try s we might we could not place the vintage. The red was, well, your plain generic house wine. Servers were friendly and attentive, and food was delivered promptly. So what to make of this experience? How can our dinner have been so at odds with the many great 4- and 5-star reviews?? We are well-educated seniors and not at all unfamiliar with fine dining. While my wife disagrees with me, I am willing to give Chouchou another pass, perhaps for lunch, focusing on their orange soup and chicken or duck, dishes that would certainly bear the telltale marks of French cuisine. But until then, we stick with our two star rating.

We asked (the owner) for crème brûlée, he said he doesn’t offer that dessert but if myself and my girlfriend went out the back we could make our own. Literal vom! So disrespectful and disgusting! Don’t dine here ever!

I've been to ChouChou twice, once in 2005 and again in 2013. The experiences were markedly different. In 2005, the place was busy, the service was great and the food was yummy. In 2013, the place was empty, the service was lackluster and slow and the food was plain and uninteresting. From what I've heard, the couple that ran the restaurant split up and so only one of them remains. Apparently, the better one left. The exterior of the restaurant also reflects the decline - from the addition of a tacky neon "open" sign to a scruffy board outside advertising a wine-corkage promo - it all seems a bit tired and neglected. What a shame.

The food at this small, quaint restaurant was outstanding! We enjoyed the three course lunch, starting with amazing French onion soup, I loved the delicately prepared pork chop served over fresh green beans accompanied by delicious potatoes, and the chocolate mousse was amazing! Everyone in our party of four tried something different, and we were all pleased. The service was excellent, the prices quite reasonable. We will return another day for a taste of France near Forest Hill!

Judy and I, with another couple, dined at ChouChou Saturday night...and it was a good experience overall. Unfortunately, my onion soup was light on the onions but heavy on the cheese. All was forgiven, however, by the superb quality of my steak tartare (rarely found on menus in the United States). It was the delicate spicing that was so inspiring.

I went to Chou Chou restaurant and had a wonderful time. We had the lunch special at $25 for 3 courses. The salad was fabulous. I had a crepe that was excellent. The creme brulee was also excellent. My partner had the mussels which he loved.

Having heard a lot about this place, both pro and con, I was most attentive (and a wee bit worried) when we arrived at Chou Chou (aka Chouchou). I needn't have worried. It was a delightful evening. The greeting was warm; the ambiance, welcoming; the tables, close to each other in what might be either fun or smothering. (We met a fun couple and had a cross-table chat all evening, so it worked very well for us.) We visited on Saturday 9 December 2006, taking the first seating. 'twas a cold and rainy night; the restaurant was three-quarters full downstairs, the intimate tables for two on the upstairs balcony were about half full. The menu is short, with a nod to vegetarians and also to the unadventurous (New York steak!?!). The appetizers dot the spectrum from salads to mussels, the entrées range from the aforementioned steak to duck leg confit to the house speciality, the cassoulettes. (Think pot pie baked in a clay pot topped by a thin pastry shell.) I opted for the Daube Provençale (lamb cassoulette), my wife for the monkfish with fennel version. Chou Chou, started by renowned French pastry chef Chef Samie Didda, features the homestyle cooking of Provençe and the classic Parisian pastries made famous in her patisserie, Les Petits Mitron, on rue Lepic in Paris' 18th arrondissement. For dessert I heeded the restaurant's origins and went with a rhubarb blueberry tart (excellent; tart and sweet with crunchy sugar); my wife tried the pleasant triple chocolate fondant (think very dense brownie). I wasn't overwhelmed by the espresso drinks, neither the glasses used to serve the cappuccino nor the lack of body in the pure espresso. It was, at worst, merely good. I just expected better. I would go back again, might try the upstairs tables, would *not* bring the kids.

Wonderful bistro food and atmosphere. Service attentive and friendly. Owner came out to to chat to be sure we were having a great experience.

Just got back from dinner. We were acknowledged as soon as we entered the door. We each ordered the $40 price fix menu - great value - appetizer, main course & dessert. The mussels in the broth was delicious and plentiful. It was enough to be the main course. The panko encrusted salmon was cooked perfectly served with peas and truffled mashed potatoes. We enjoyed the Angus Boeuf Bourguignon as it was very hearty. The creme brulee was a great way to end a meal. The service was friendly, well paced and attentive. There is a small parking lot next to the building. To be honest, it was easier to park in the street since getting out of the parking lot was difficult due to oncoming traffic.

Lovely authentic French bistro in a neighborhood corner location. I loved the feel of walking into a little bit of France. We were greeted with such warmth and friendliness and seated at a great corner table by the front window. The menu is quite varied and they have a fixed meal for $40, choosing from wonderful options, such as French Onion Soup to start, beef bourguignon and crème brulee or fruit tarts with cream, just to name a few. A very pleasant evening spent in a delightful, charming setting.

Each time I come here, the food gets even better than the last visit. The atmosphere is completely French albeit a little cramped. The food is phenomenal. The service is superb. Can't wait to go back :-)

What a nice surprise! We were fortunate to get a parking place in the small lot that is next door. And, once inside we were very happy with the food and service. I started with a wonderful French Onion Soup and followed this with the Filet Mignon which was as ordered medium rare. My wife and I then shared a single portion Crêpe Suzette which was more than enough and prepared near our table which was fun to watch.

Tried this restaurant on Sunday for the first time using a Groupon coupon for lunch and found it to have pretty good food and service. When we walked in at 1 p.m. the restaurant was pretty empty with only 6 people eating so the place was pretty quiet. We were seated immediately and a reservation was really not necessary. The server informed us what our Groupon allow us to order on the menu and shortly after brought us water and hot bread & butter. The bread was excellent, hot and crispy. We ordered the lamb chops and salmon as salad was already designated on the Groupon. The Salad compote was excellently prepared with just the right amount of dressing. Then came the entrees. The lamb chops were very tasty and not gamey but the 2 pieces were a bit small. The salmon was deep fried with a touch of breading which removed a lot of the fishyness as it was prepared medium done. The sides which included string beans, peas and potato were also very good. The lunch ended with a shared creme brulee. All in all, I liked the food and quietness of this place and would recommend others to give it a try...

We went for a romantic dinner and were not disappointed. We were sat immediately at a very nice table and the waiter came by moments later. He had a delightful French accent, so we really felt like we were back in France. As to the food, the escargot was perfectly delightful, the onion soup unparallel and our entrees (duck leg for her and chef's special steak) were simply and elegantly prepared and quite flavourful. They have an extensive and informative wine list and our choice that evening complimented the meal nicely. The mousse that we had for dessert was also divine. The service was excellent and our waiter was knowledgeable and attentive without being intrusive. Later, the executive chef visited our table during dessert course to ask how everything was. We felt very at home and look forward to visiting again for a special occasion.

Great French dishes, nice atmosphere.

Came here due to Groupon offer. Been driving past this place for many years and I've always been curious so when Groupon offered discount, I jumped at the chance. The ambiance was very nice and intimate. I love the bright colors and the dining tables. Romantic and elegant! Service was nice but when we came, there was only one staff at lunch time since it wasn't busy at all. The French music sets the mood and almost transports you back to Paris. Lively and lovely atmosphere! Food was pretty good! Their salads are overly priced ($7.95+) and nothing special about it. I had the lamb chops and it was delicious but only got two small pieces for $18.95. Thank God for Groupons! My friend had the classic beef. It was tender, salty and had too much sauce. Skip that one! For dessert, we opted for the tart of the day which was chocolate pear. It was more like brownies with fake pears. Glad I tried this place but probably won't be back since it's a bit pricey for the quality of food it serves. It's worth visiting though just purchase the groupon so you can save a bit.

I wouldn't recommend this restaurant to anyone. The portions were smaller than expected and not anything like what I experienced in France, where the food is wonderful. The entrees were ordinary and their specialties tarts were mediocre. The service was not bad, but our party wasn’t catered to as attentively as others in the restaurant. For example, the restaurant dimmed the lights and while they were singing brought out a tart with a candle for another party, while our party had to pay an extra 2 dollars for plates to serve the cake we brought for our celebrant – no lights were dimmed – nor singers for us. Even though I understand the charge for the plate, we did buy tarts on top of the cake we brought, and still didn’t receive the same treatment. There are many places in the city to dine, but this isn’t one I would re-visit.

The food here is excellent. The atmosphere is both romantic and at the same time family friendly... It reminds me or little bistros in France. It is off the tourist route and thus really one of the neighborhood gems. Service is very friendly and noise level is such that one can actually have a conversation. Extensive wine list but no bar.

Amazing Warm Goat Cheese Tart and Chocolate Pear Tart for dessert. Steak was pretty good; more like a 3*, but the rest of the meal was definitely a 4*. Uber friendly (and funny) Chef/ Owner.

The location is excellent, you really feel like you have walked into a local, neighborhood-focused French bistro - because you have! The food is delicious and the service is outstanding - you'll fall in love with your Maitre'd, no doubt.

Everything we enjoyed, escargot, prawns/asparagus/risotto, filet mignon, salad, dessert was delicious! The atmosphere is lovely and elegant. Worth the drive. Classy, comfortable, superb service. Memorable!

We have been at ChouChou several times, went again recently. The food is consistently excellent French food, ambience is that of a neighborhood bistro. Seafood is always delicious. Standards like escargot, onion soup and chocolate mousse are always well prepared. Salads are creative and interesting. Prices are reasonable.

Everything was amazing from start to finish. Beautiful little restaurant with wonderful service & incredible food. We got the escargots as an appetizer, followed by the duck confit & prawns flambées in Pastis & finished with the crème brûlée & waouh what a perfect French meal!!

Exactly 10 years ago we vowed never to come back after the sad experience we had at Chouchou. But a bestie who had skipped celebration of her milestone birthday last year due to the pandemic had checked this place out recently, learned it has changed ownership and undergone renovation - structurally and menu-wise. Gone are the jewel colors and dark lighting; the interior is bright with light bouncing off the white walls. The covered patio, also white and equipped with heaters and Tivoli lights, was perfect for our family of safety-conscious health practitioners who miss our holidays in France. So we were super excited to finally have a bistro among our haunts in the vicinity of West Portal. All the Parisian classics are offered at un-San Francisco prices like the Escargot ($12.95), steamed mussels ($13.95), Soupe l’oignon ($9.95). M had the Beef Bourguignon ($32.95), the celebrant chose the Duck Confit ($29.95), her hubby the Pork Chop ($34). The dearest entree are the Filet Mignon and New York steak ($37.95). Pescatarians can opt for Wild Salmon ($31.95). My Mushroom soufflé came with a bed of haricot vert ($28) and J had the shrimp risotto, plump beauties over creamy Arborio incredibly priced at around $30. Neither is on the menu website, for some reason. Best part of the visit was the warmth of the front of the house that spread among the diners. Our 3 generations felt at home with our youngest companions 4 and 7 years old enjoying their ravioli in the cozily intimate ambience. We didn’t feel hurried unlike before, with constant visits by staff making us uncomfortable and forcing us to leave. Marina, the manager, was all smiles on her occasional check in. Her husband is the chef, according to a server. The food is better than a decade ago, plated lovingly with efficient service. We would come back for the apps and atmosphere. If only the server would play along and learn a little French instead of replying “I don’t speak French” to a friendly greeting. Then Chouchou would be back on our regular rotation.

appetizers- perfectly seared ahi with a baby arugula salad with a lovely balsamic reduction dressing. There was some cheese in there too which added to the overall flavor. Entrees- grass fed filet mignon perfectly done . Scallops with a berre blanc sauce and zucchini. The scallops were so tender they melted in your mouth. They went lovely with the scallops and the sauce. Both the salads and the entrees were plated beautifully!! For dessert- chocolate mouse. It had substance so was not all air. the chocolate was not a milk chocolate, but not a semi sweet either. somewhere in between which was great, because it did not cloy on your taste buds. Also, many mouse leave you with a greasy feel in your mouth, NOT SO HERE. Very nice! There service was friendly and efficient. As I told the staff, I had eaten at the fairmont previously and Chou Chou was better. The restaurant is decorated as many bistros in Paris are. Gives you the feeling of being there. Amusingly, there are 2 other restaurants next to Chou Chou. However, Chou Chou was busy, and the others were empty even though the others were probably less expensive. We drove all the way from the east bay for this experience. It was worth it.

We eat here quite often when visiting my daughter who lives in the Sunset District. We find the food to be well cooked and presented and the prices are very reasonable by San Francisco standards. The wine list has many good selections and is also well priced. On our visits the staff has performed efficiently and we are usually recognized as repeat customers and on occasion a special glass of wine on the house appears at our table as a way of thanking us for our loyalty, something that does not happen at many other places we dine at. About the only draw back is that if the weather is cool and windy the seats near the front door can get drafty. The staff has attempted to deal with this by hanging a curtain in front of the door but so many people come in or out and make no attempt to actually close the door. It's really not the restaurant's fault as there is little else they could do to add an inner entry area and another door as the place is already small and in a city like SF, every square foot of usable space is important.

Impromptu dinner because we were in neighborhood and Open Table showed availability. Delightful service and ambiance including music (Piaf). Escargot the most wonderful, tender (?wine poached) in delicious sauce, with plenty of crispy baguette for dipping into. Some specials of tuna carpaccio with arugula and truffle oil, and duck breast were great. Bonus of small parking lot adjacent to restaurant. Looking forward to next visit.

We love Chou Chou, which makes wonderful French food in a neighborhood setting, but which really qualifies as fine dining despite its location. The sauces are rich, the meat fresh and well cooked, and the beer and wine list is expansive. While not on the level of some of the finest French food places in San Francisco (an absurdly high bar to be sure), this is wonderful fine dining and a taste of Paris in an unexpected locale. Highly recommended.

romantic neighborhood restaurant. good food. call restaurant for parking hints. although finding this restaurant is tricky and parking (based on restaurant location) is a bit confusing, the food and service are definitely worth it. Just look up location on map and call restaurant to find out best places to park.

We just moved to Forest Hill. There's not too much in the way of dining out right in the neighborhood, but Chouchou is a good option in the little shopping area by the Forest Hill muni stop. Nice wine selection, friendly service, duck was tasty. You could also sit at the bar here and just have a glass of wine before mountaineering home. I would note that the decor has kind of an ultra-1970s feel, which actually makes it feel authentically French!

We enjoyed this restaurant, it seems like they make an effort to put their own spin or touch on the food, which makes more interesting. Also dishes are beautifully presented. We both had the romaine salad, it was nicely arranged and came with a lovely dressing. My husband had the salmon, which he enjoyed. I had the shrimp entree, which came on a bed of fresh green beans, and was served with polenta. We had two tarts for dessert, a pear tart and a chocolate walnut tart. Both were excellent! And the Prosecco was great!

just went there and became an instant favorite. Great staff, great food, great night out

Wonderful, unpretentious, and reasonably priced neighborhood gem of a French bistro. Highly recommended.

This small restaurant is off the beaten track for San Francisco tourists. My guess is that it is a local favorite or in our case, a Groupon choice. Chou Chou Bistro serves what I would consider classic French bistro cuisine. Entrees are served with classic sauces. The night I was there the sirloin steak was a special, served with garlic mashed potatoes. I requested medium rare and it was cooked to perfection and not drowned by sauce. The portions are quite large and in the case of the sirloin, big enough to share. The crab salad had a generous serving of crab, though a bit fishy because Dungeness is not in season yet. My dining companions ordered the duck confit and tuna tartare and declared them both excellent. The desserts were divine. Three of us shared a vanilla creme brulee and the special tarte of the evening, chocolate pear, served slightly wam. Often, I am disappointed by restaurant desserts, but these were calorie worthy. The parking lot is tiny. Street parking is available. Judging from the crowd on Friday night, reservations are a must. Noise may be a problem as the restaurant fills but that is not uncommon these days. If that is a factor in your restaurant choices, I recommend getting there when it opens, at 5:30 for dinner.

This is one of the most excellent experiences ever. I came here with my husband for what turned out to be a romantic lunch in a favorite part of the city. EVERYTHING was excellent. The service, the food, the ambiance. We will return as the menu was such that we want to try everything.

Had an early dinner and three of us got the $39 price fix dinner and it was well worth the effort. Hanger steak, salmon, lamb and mussels were all outstanding with nice presentation. Onion soup is top quality and filling. desserts were well prepared. Service was very good considering the restaurant was 70% full within an hour. You get a real Bistro experience and warm feeling in this fun independently owned establishment. Have driven past it for many years but will return for a fun and tasty evening.

Though somewhat out of the way, Chouchou Bistro is outstanding in good food and service. We have eaten there on many occasions and enjoyed each one. Last time, I had the New York steak special and my wife had the Mahi-Mahi. Both were done to perfection and accompanied by fresh cooked vegetables.

Parking in back! In SF, no really! Great food Meal sized dependent pricing Great food. I plan to return. Sizable wine selection too.

I have lived in the sunset neighborhood for over ten years. Chou Chou has been my go to French Bistro that entire time...until last night. What I did not know before my boyfriend made reservations for Valentine's Day was that the bistro has been sold and has NEW OWNERS. We have been going to their Valentine's Day celebration for a few years, and this was absolutely an embarrassing DISASTER like I have never experienced in a restaurant before! Here is a run down: -overall service was exceedingly bad. There were lots of bus boy types milling about but no one person actually serving us. We had to flag down bus boys to get anything, from drinks to asking where our meal was, to even the check. -ordered our meal but it took at least 30 minutes before bread even arrived on the table -1 hour into the meal we finally got our appetizers. My first course was a crab salad that I swear was actually canned tuna fish. I'm not kidding. - drank prosecco all night, but oddly had no buzz...could it be that they watered down the drinks with mineral water?!! -1.5 hours into the experience we finally got our main courses. My boyfriend's pork chop was not fully cooked! Scary times. We ordered a side of pomme frites and got big steak fries with tons of garlic and parmesan. wha??? -as the night progressed and our meal was taking over 2 hours from start to finish, a massive line up of people arriving with reservations. the room was filled with TENSION from the staff, to the customers at tables angry with the service, to the people with reservations who were wondering why they had to wait an hour to be seated. It was a complete disaster! In addition to the clear disaster of Valentine's Day Meal service, the gratuity was automatically added to the bill, giving us NO opportunity to express our outrage at the service. We paid over $200 for a terrible amateur meal, terrible wait staff, and 2 hours of embarrassment. When we got home we immediately looked up online to figure out what happened to our beloved Chou Chou...new owners! I seriously think that the place needs to shut down and reopen when they can learn how to run a professional restaurant that serves the public. Seriously guys, seriously.

Great place for brunch.

Cute little neighborhood bistro. We do not usually seek out French cuisine, but tried this during restaurant week. Pleasant dining room, tables were well spaced and they offer a nice looking patio area. Authentic entree choices as well as fresh salads and well prepared escargots. Menu is reasonably priced even if it is not restaurant week. Service was efficient and courteous. Can't say that for every place we have dined in the Bay area.

Chouchou is a truly French restaurant. I love the name, because I love the sugar-coated peanuts sold on the beaches of France by that name. I go to the South of France every summer, and find this restaurant's menu, service, and quality is much the same as I find in my favorite restaurants in the South and Paris.

5 of us went for New Years dinner. All the food we had was outstanding. Not a marginal dish the whole night. The pacing was great, not to fast or slow. The service was excellent. A few comments that are not food related. The parking was not very good. We had a hard time finding a spot. The cold air from the door opening was a little distracting. I would come back to this restaurant next time I am in San Fransisco