A luxurious new restaurant in San Francisco's Design District is fully booked, but missing your reservation will set you back a hefty $75 per person. JouJou, which opened in early March, has quickly become a hotspot, drawing diners with its romantic lighting and intimate booths designed to encourage conversation.
High-End Dining with Strict Policies
The dinner menu ranges from $13 ice cream to $125 for two ounces of caviar, and securing a prime-time slot is highly competitive. However, the restaurant enforces a strict cancellation policy: a $75 per person fee for cancellations made less than 24 hours in advance. A 15-minute grace period is allowed, but late arrivals may face a wait.
Additionally, JouJou maintains a dress code prohibiting athleisure, muscle tees, excessively casual footwear, and attire with offensive content. Diners are advised to review these rules before their visit.
Industry Context
While cancellation and no-show fees are common at popular restaurants in major cities, JouJou's $75 charge is on the higher end, according to SF Gate. Fees typically range from $35 to $75, with some restaurants extending the cancellation window to 48 hours. Despite the cost, demand remains high.
Owner's Perspective
Colleen Booth, co-owner of JouJou and also behind the two-Michelin-starred Lazy Bear, explained that no-shows are a significant issue for restaurants. She noted that the $75 fee is less than the average guest check and is designed to encourage diners to honor their reservations. 'We truly want to do the best we can to show all of our guests a great time, and we find it wildly helpful to know that you are coming in,' she said. 'Would you not update your RSVP to a dear friend’s dinner party if your plans changed?'
Booth emphasized that no-shows force restaurants to turn away other potential customers, leading to lost revenue. Despite complaints, the fee is unlikely to be reduced. 'If anything, I’m only getting more data to make it even stricter,' she added.
Reservations are made via Tock, which allows bookings up to a month in advance and clearly informs diners of the cancellation policy before confirming. The Daily Mail has contacted JouJou for comment.
