Chouchou French Bistro — Restaurant in Burlingame

Chou Chou

BEWARE of this place!! They are BEYOND disrespectful to elders!!! I made a reservation for my in-laws, my husband and me. I requested an indoor table since my in-laws are in their 70s and get cold easily, they said they only had outdoor reservations for now but that they have heat lamps and covering and if something opens up inside they will put us in there, great booked! My in-laws show up first and ask the hostess if we can have a table inside and the hostess said “Sure, sit anywhere you like.” They sit at a table and the waiter gives them menus and they order drinks. I arrive a couple minutes after and go to the hostess stand and she directs me to the back where they are seated. I’m greeted by the waitress, order wine and we start looking over the menu. My husband arrives a few minutes after and we’re all sitting down talking, I’m brought my wine and husband orders a drink. Now 20 minutes after since my in-laws have been seated this man who we’ve never seen before comes over to the table and says he’s the manager (loud with an aggressive attitude) and says that another patron who booked inside seating has arrived and requested our table. He then went on to (lie and) say that the hostess said we couldn’t sit there and we ignored her and sat anyway and it’s our fault this happened. My in-laws who are the sweetest people in the world said sure we can move outside but just so you know your hostess did say we could sit here no problem. The manager became even more aggressive to “prove us wrong” and would not let up and kept yelling in front of everyone loudly and aggressively that no she didn’t along with some other choice words. We felt so embarrassed, degraded, and unwelcome so we left. This little man with braces and a Napoleon complex has zero customer service skills and has clearly never run a restaurant before. This restaurant does not respect elders whatsoever, has no respect for community members, and will set out to try to ruin a planned pleasant family get together. Beware of this place, we will never go back and I highly recommend not coming here if you don’t want to be disrespected, berated, and have your family meal ruined. And they spilled my mother-in-law’s cocktail...

TLDR: A nice French restaurant that falls flat when it comes to the food, especially for plant-based options.

Atmosphere: Clean, modern, stereotypically "French" when one handles interior design. No real complaints, but it was not unique.

Service: The service was kind and attentive. The server was not particularly helpful with the plant-based options as the menu online is different than what is served live. He was surprised and did the minimum to make sure I could eat at least one thing. However, made no suggestions for even a modified salad as a starter.

Food: This is where the experience goes down hill. The online menu shows a vegan ravioli which I was looking forward to. Unfortunately, they changed their menu and there was no marked vegan option on the menu. I was there with coworkers who are omni's and I did not want to make a scene. I was served a vegan risotto with coconut milk. I will say, it was not the worst risotto I have ever had, but it was definitely overcooked and had zero flavor. I do feel like the cooks did not know what to do, so they just dumped coconut milk in and did not use wine or any other seasoning to try and enhance the flavor. Also, there was almost nothing in it besides risotto and a little bit of spinach. No other veggies so it was pretty sad. Naturally, there were no vegan desserts, but I never knock non-vegan restaurants for that.

On the omni side, one of my colleagues is a French Onion Soup FANATIC. He only finished about half his soup and said, "eh" while shrugging his shoulders. My other colleague felt her food was...

My recent dining experience at ChouChou French Bistro was nothing short of exceptional. Nestled in Burlingame, this charming French restaurant transported me to the heart of Paris with its elegant ambiance and impeccable service.

From the moment we stepped in, we were greeted warmly and seated promptly. The decor, with its soft lighting and tasteful French touches, set a perfect backdrop for the evening.

Now, onto the food - each dish was a masterpiece. We started with the escargots, perfectly seasoned and served in a rich garlic butter sauce that had us savoring every bite. The main courses were equally impressive; the Beef Bourguignon melted in our mouths. The attention to detail in presentation was evident, showcasing the chef's skill and passion for French culinary traditions.

The wine selection was extensive, featuring both French classics and new world varietals that complemented our meal beautifully. Our server was knowledgeable and guided us through the menu and wine pairings with expertise. To cap off the evening, we indulged in a decadent Crème Brûlée that was simply divine, ending our meal on a sweet note.

Overall, ChouChou French Bistro Burlingame exceeded all expectations with its delicious cuisine, attentive service, and inviting atmosphere. Whether you're a connoisseur of French cuisine or simply looking for an unforgettable dining experience, I highly recommend ChouChou French Bistro. It's a true gem in Burlingame that deserves every...