Chou Chou Bistro is a French Bistro with a Provencal feel. Homemade chocolat fondant and caramelized fruit tart are a specialty along with seafood and meat cassolettes. Chou Chou Bistro has a bright, colorful dining room with a casual yet chic bistro atmosphere.
"Great little place but the way they have the wait staff set up is just terrible. One head waiter seemed to be the primary contact with diners and was over stretched. It seemed to take a long time to get started and really didn't feel any particular ambience from the staff.
Took too long. Felt like I was hanging around waiting a lot.
I so wanted to like it."
Dined on 5/14/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, romantic
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"Excellent meal save for the PEI mussels which were mushy and not very tasty--the white wine sauce was good, not great. The meringue in the Flotate (whatever) was tasteless, like eating cardboard though the ice cream was superb. All other meals and appetizers got raves from my dinner companions. Would readily go back but now know what to avoid. BTW, new ownership as of two months ago. The owner is gregarious and a very nice guy."
Dined on 5/07/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies
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"We had a fabulous experience at Chou Chou, where we celebrated a birthday with eight friends and family. The restaurant accommodated our special request for a larger space, as two of our guests are exceedingly tall over 6 feet). The food was very enjoyable and the service was perfect--very attentive and friendly, as if you were having a dinner party at your own home but with help! Thanks for the great evening!"
Dined on 04/13/2013
2005
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, romantic, special occasion
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"I have been at ChouChou several times, and that time was very disappointing. We had snails, steak and french fries, and mussels. The steak was fine. The rest anything but.
The snails didn't have enough butter inside, and they have not been heated for the butter to melt and mix with the garlic. It's like they've been moved from the freezer to the microwave for a couple of minutes. The mussels were overcooked, therefore felt like plastic. We wondered whether there was any hint of white wine in the sauce, as it was simply some boring creamy sauce. What a let down!"
Dined on 04/12/2013
2008
Special Features: romantic
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"There were only 2 waiters and we think they were surprised to have so many people stream into the restaurant early on a Sunday so the service was slow. But the food was delicious ...crisp salad with flavorful dressing ... filet cooked perfectly ... scallops absolutely mouthwatering as well as the beef bourgonoin (sp?)"
Dined on 04/14/2013
2003
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, romantic, special occasion
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"This is one of my favorites, but was disappointing on this visit. The onion soup was really off, my hamburger was missing a kep component (caramelized onions) and the french fries were awful. Chou Chou is usaually much, much better. I'm hoping this was an aberation.
JSF"
Dined on 03/29/2013
2000
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"We celebrated my wife's birthday on a Saturday night with a party of 14 and it couldn't have been better. Our waiter and the entire staff were super accommodating and considerate of our requests and needs, including some special assistance for one of our party with mobility issues. Mussels were scrumptious; I scooped up every last drop of broth/sauce. Both the hanger steak and the filet were delicious and cooked perfectly as requested (rare). Among the 14 of us, almost everything on the menu was tried and everyone was pleased with their choices.
We've now eaten here twice and this will be our go-to neighborhood French bistro for sure."
Dined on 04/06/2013
2002
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, neighborhood gem
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"A charming bistro with a classic menu given a tasty and interesting personal touch, and elegant presentation. I relished the hearty Burgundy beef, and my friend's mushroom souffle was delectable. The wine list is small but informed by genuine, well-priced quality and good variety. Very romantic interior with warm, hospitable and perfectly attentive service. We'll be back!"
Dined on 04/05/2013
2006
Special Features: late-night find, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, romantic
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"Still doing great things with French food. We have been going for years, and have never been disappointed. The space is welcoming, the decor is elegant, and the food is special.
Unfortunately it is understaffed, so you compete with other diners, especially for getting the check, which, like many other restaurants, Chou Chou seems to think that you don't want.
Other than that, it has my complete blessing."
Dined on 03/02/2013
2010
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem
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"We chose this restaurant because we pass it frequently, but knew no one that had been there. Then we saw a review in " Check Please". We went for our anniversary and were MOST disappointed. It was LESS than mediocre! My salad was "limp" greens, missing the pistachios, bread warm, nice touch. Wine suggestion by our courteous server, lovely. We had the Prix Fixe menu. My scallop dish was SO salty, I was thirsty all night afterwards! My husbands duck was tender, but NO salt or taste. Dessert was NOT great-chose the meringue dish-we had 2 spoonfuls and left the remainder. When I leave sweets, you KNOW it's below par! I did not find the "atmosphere" friendly and for over $100, we would not return. We would not recommend Chou Chou nor return!"
Dined on 03/22/2013
2012
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"I had high expectations for this restaurant, based upon good reviews from a friend and local media. It proved underwhelming,to say the least. I ate at Chou Chou Bistro on a Sunday evening. The atomosphere was intimate, and romantic. The staff was friendly and attentive. My meal was served in a timely manner. The food presentation was appetizing, but failed to impress. My lamb chops were cooked to my taste and were warm. However, the accompaning haricots verts and sweet potatoes were cold. It was as if they plated the vegetables first let them sit, and then the meat. The french onion soup had an uncharacteristicly sweet broth which was not to my liking. My recommendation, avoid Sunday evenings."
Dined on 03/10/2013
2011
Special Features: neighborhood gem, romantic
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"This place is great - the only issue is that it gets quite noisy (two large groups where there celebrating something!) such that even with a table of six, it was hard to hold a conversation with everybody able to hear each other."
Dined on 03/09/2013
2005
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem
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"There were four of us. Three did the fixed dinner where the options were generous as were the portions that arrived. One of the appetizers, the crab and avocado with puff pastry, was quite nice. The onion soup was very good. Each of the steaks was cooked as ordered-bravo! And the beef bourguignon was succulent, the noodles to the side an interesting accompaniment. And the deserts were fine. Especially interesting was a "banana split," a dish I haven't seen for years. A good selection of wines by the glass. And a fairly priced meal.
Many neighborhood groups, including groups with well-behaved children who were treated well by the staff. This is in an odd location, but easy to find. There is a free parking lot!!"
Dined on 03/02/2013
2005
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem
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"Chou Chou Bistro is a hidden treasure in the West Portal Area of "The City". The food and service is very good (service is actually outstanding). A very nice selection of entres on the menu and we thoroughly enjoyed our experience. Parking lot is adjacent, which is a big plus. Come to this wonderful French Restaurant and enjoy..."
Dined on 03/02/2013
2006
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, special occasion, hot spot
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"Chou Chou has been a great neighborhood spot in the past, but quality of food has slipped past couple visits as prices have risen, and is nothing special now."
Dined on 02/14/2013
2001
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"My partner has been wanting to try ChouChou for a while. I was excited to go. The restaurant didn't quite live up to my expectations, but overall it was a really nice experience. Upon sitting down I realized the price point was a bit lower than my expectations. I think for the the price point, ChouChou does a fabulous job. All the food was great, but nothing stood out in my mind. The service was good, though they seemed a bit rushed during the prime time."
Dined on 02/15/2013
2011
Special Features: neighborhood gem, romantic
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"Carpeting is buckled on stairway and is dangerous-easy to trip on. Food servers harried and hurried - waited too long for a glass of wine and to order my meal."
Dined on 02/15/2013
2009
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"Made reservations off OpenTable for 8:30 (they also had 8:15 slots available). Came in, was ignored by wait staff, and a group of 5 guests waiting to be seated was filling up the restaurant. Went outside for 10 minutes and came back in. Still was ignored, another couple came in and finally we got attention. Seated at around 8:55 for 8:30 reservations.
We were seated next to two other tables -- so closely you could hear everything. Was hard to talk to each other over the loud voices of others at very nearby tables. They gave my entree (fillet mignon) to the wrong table then brought it back to me cold.
We had to summon the waitress for water refills, the check at the end, since she was too busy talking to another waitress."
Dined on 02/15/2013
2012
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"In the past, we have really enjoyed Chouchou. Last night for Valentine's Day, it was a disappointment. The evening started out just fine with good service, but as the restaurant grew crowded, we received not only less and less service, but we end up having no service. I ordered a side of pomme frites with my mussles - they didn't come and I had to ask the hostess to find them. When our dessert was delivered and we asked for coffee, it never arrived. For a prix fixe on this romantic evening of evenings, they should have staffed up and made the evening as special as possible. We won't return to Chouchou on Valentine's Day again."
Dined on 02/14/2013
2007
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"Very middle-of-the-road experience. Not bad, not great. Slow, but friendly service (there was only one waitress & one busser). Enjoyable French ambiance, but nothing to write home about."
Dined on 02/08/2013
2005
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"We are ChouChou fans. We enjoy everyone there, and have always savored every item on the menu. We are just very happy to have Chouchou in our neighborhood, and always feel a warm sense of conviviality when we dine there."
Dined on 02/08/2013
2006
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem
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"There were four of us. Three of us had the duck comfit, and all three of us thought it was just okay. The 4th person had scallops, and I don't know how he liked it, but he ate all of it. Three of us ordered the from the fixed price (3 course-salad/appetizer, entree, desert). The salad was excellent and beautifully presented. I had the chocolate pear tart-actually didn't resemble a tart per se. It was delicious. I don't know what the others thought of their desserts, but they sure liked mine. The waitress was very good, although she was the only one serving the whole restaurant, so perhaps she was 'stretched' a little thin-not her fault. She was friendly and helpful. We liked her."
Dined on 02/05/2013
2010
Special Features: romantic
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"a special ocassion place if your're not in the mood for downtown. This was our first time;so we only tried a few items. Dine about town was the opportunity for us to go. The duck was delicious."
Dined on 01/31/2013
2012
Special Features: neighborhood gem, notable wine list, romantic, special occasion
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"My dining experience at Chouchou last Saturday night was a little disappointing. My food was quite good, but my friend's steak was over cooked, not something one would expect from such a fine dining establishment. Also, the service was really, really slow. My reservation was for 7 pm, we didn't leave until 9:30 pm. It appeared that our server was the only one working the upstairs section. Again, very disappointing."
Dined on 01/26/2013
2012
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"The restaurant was busy that night and we felt as if we were being ignored. Had to ask for our bread, ran out of water, and wait was too long to get our check. Will likely not return."
Dined on 01/25/2013
2012
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"Quite authentic French Restaurant, with French speaking staff. Parking lot should approached from the North, as it is dangerous to get into from the other directions due to traffic flow."
Dined on 01/23/2013
2006
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