Reservations & Booking

    How to Book Ad Hoc

    This is the least stressful reservation in the Thomas Keller group, with one exception: the night the fried chicken is on.

    By Reservations Research Desk · Published September 15, 2025 · Last updated · 7 min read

    How far ahead

    Conventional reservations, no prepayment, usually available within a week. Two to three weeks is comfortable for a weekend.

    Harvest weekends and holidays tighten this considerably; a month is safer in September and October.

    Book around the menu

    Because the menu is published in advance and changes nightly, the smart approach is to look at the schedule first and pick the night, rather than picking a night and hoping.

    Fried chicken nights are the exception to everything above — they book out first and fastest.

    • Check the published daily menu before choosing a date
    • Fried chicken nights book earliest
    • Weeknights are quiet and easy

    Groups and families

    Family-style service makes this the easiest restaurant in the group for a party of six or eight. Call for larger tables rather than booking online.

    Children are welcome and the format suits them better than any tasting menu ever will.

    Walk-ins

    Possible on a quiet weeknight, unreliable at weekends. There is limited bar and patio seating that sometimes opens up.

    If you are already in Yountville with no plan, it is worth calling rather than turning up.

    Cancellations

    Standard restaurant cancellation terms apply rather than the prepaid-ticket rules of the flagship restaurants — a call the same day is usually fine.

    That flexibility is exactly why this is the right restaurant to book when your travel plans are still moving.

    If it is full

    Bouchon is a few minutes away, takes walk-ins at the bar and serves late. Between the two, dinner in Yountville is essentially always solvable.

    For a lighter option, the bakery and a bottle from a village wine shop is a perfectly respectable evening.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    About the author

    Reservations Research Desk Booking and availability analysts

    The reservations desk tracks release schedules, cancellation patterns and deposit policies across Tock, Resy and OpenTable for high-demand restaurants, and documents what actually works for guests trying to secure a table.

    This guide is compiled and checked against our verification process and editorial policy.

    Ready to book a table?

    Availability at Thomas Keller's restaurants moves quickly. Check what is open now, then use our guides to prepare for the release.