Reservations & Booking
The group runs two very different booking models. Ticketed restaurants take payment up front with a firm cut-off; the bistro and family-style rooms take conventional reservations with far more flexibility.
By Reservations Research Desk · Published May 6, 2025 · Last updated · 6 min read
The French Laundry and Per Se charge in full at booking. Before the cut-off you can typically release or transfer the booking; after it, the ticket stands whether you attend or not.
If you cannot attend and the cut-off has passed, transferring the reservation to someone else is almost always permitted and is the only way to recover value.
Bouchon and Ad Hoc use standard reservations. Cancel through the confirmation link or by phone, ideally the day before, and there is normally no charge.
Large parties and private dining are the exception at every restaurant in the group: those carry deposits and their own written terms.
Call the restaurant rather than simply arriving late. Ticketed kitchens cook to a timed sequence, and a 40-minute late arrival on a nine-course menu can mean a compressed experience.
Reducing a party size after the cut-off does not usually refund the unused seats, but telling the restaurant lets them re-seat the room properly.
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.
Availability at Thomas Keller's restaurants moves quickly. Check what is open now, then use our guides to prepare for the release.