New French Brasserie Opens in SF Design District
JouJou, a new French brasserie from the acclaimed team behind Lazy Bear, has opened in San Francisco's Design District. The restaurant aims to serve classic French cuisine within a modern, stylish setting, adding a new high-profile dining option to the neighborhood.
The team behind JouJou comes with a formidable reputation; Lazy Bear, their first restaurant, evolved from an underground dinner party to a two-Michelin-starred establishment known for its communal, experiential dining. Chef-owner David Barzelay, a former lawyer, and his partner Colleen Booth are channeling that high-end experience into a more accessible, à la carte format at JouJou, moving away from the tasting-menu-only model. JouJou occupies a vast 6,500-square-foot space at 65 Division Street, the former location of The Grove café. Renowned designer Jon de La Cruz was tasked with creating a "grand old belle epoque resort on the French Riviera, renovated in the sleazy '70s" aesthetic. The restaurant features multiple distinct areas, including a main dining room with gold-rimmed mirrors, a zinc-topped bar, a marble raw bar, and an enclosed patio with a dramatic glass ceiling. The kitchen is helmed by chef de cuisine Nick Vollono, an alumnus of fine-dining landmarks Quince and Atelier Crenn. The menu is heavily focused on seafood and French classics, aiming for expertly prepared, familiar dishes rather than avant-garde creations. Signature items include grand seafood towers, French onion soup, steak frites, and a unique black cod a l'ananas, a seafood take on duck a l'orange. Opening on March 6, 2026, JouJou enters a San Francisco dining scene that is seeing a resurgence of interest in classic French cuisine. The restaurant aims to be a vibrant, scene-setting destination reminiscent of New York's Balthazar or San Francisco's own legendary Stars, welcoming both special occasion diners and walk-ins for a glass of wine and fries. Entrée prices are expected to range from $35 to $75.
