Bistro 5Excellent customer serviceThis restaurant remembered us from our last visit over a year ago. Amazing. The food was excellent. Steak was perfectly done as was the fish.6/15/2013 12:00:00 AMa voyage for our tastebudsOur recent dining experience at Bistro 5 was excellent as always. The occasion was a special one celebrating my parents 58th wedding anniversary. Our waitress was bright and bubbly with a firm grasp of the menu. We had an abundance of appetizers. The calamari were cooked to perfection and were very light and tender. The white beans in evoo with white anchovies were simple yet amazingly delicious. The fresh lemon ricotta cheese was a table favorite to slather on the fresh hot foccaccia bread. The salumi plate featuring a duck breast prosciutto is a personal favorite and I highly recommend ordering it. The olives were the finest I have tasted this side of Italia. The main courses were all devine. I highly recommend B56/12/2013 12:00:00 AMFinally Made ItWe had been holding onto gift certificates for this place for a while now, but kept missing the chances to have a nice romantic dinner. We finally made it for our 2-year anniversary, and we were quite pleased. While not very spacious, the lighting and artwork on the walls were very pleasant. The waitstaff were very courteous and informative. The selection of foods and wines were upscale, and the quality was decent. All in all, if you're looking for a slightly higher-end cuisine in the local area, you won't be able to beat Bistro 5.6/11/2013 12:00:00 AMall natural and goodWe were impressed with the menu and the restaurants devotion to keeping things organic and natural. The menu is small, but very nice. The food was very good as were the cocktails and the service was great! We will definitely go back again.5/31/2013 12:00:00 AMBistro 5 is the best!We went to Bistro 5 for my birthday dinner and it did not disappoint. The 5 course dinner with wine pairing was fantastic! We can't wait to go back - definitely one of the best restaurants in the area.5/31/2013 12:00:00 AMA Keeper!Our first visit to Bistro 5. Truly outstanding food. Started with a "simple" mixed green salad and was blown away by how good it was. There was something magical about the dressing. Mains were Spaghetti alla Chitarra and the Halibut Catch of the Week. Both were outstanding in presentation, taste, and amount (not too much or too little). For dessert, the Creme Brulee Duo was a really pleasant surprise because it was two desserts - one with an espresso bean infusion and one with vanilla bean. Both excellent. The flourless chocolate cake was also excellent, side accessorized with a little sauce swirl and mousse/sugar lace. Pace was perfect. We will be back.5/30/2013 12:00:00 AMThe appetizers were excellent,The appetizers were excellent, as was the dessert and the wine. The entrees were good, not quite as great as advertised by the menu and waiter's description.5/30/2013 12:00:00 AMVery good dinner experienceBistro 5 indeed deserves attention. The appetizers were superb; the main course was very good.
It's a very nice place, and I would recommend to those who look for great food in new places.5/30/2013 12:00:00 AMBest Kept SecretBistro 5 is a neighborhood gem! Outstanding food -including their own homemade pastas, great staff who are eager to help and a small but nice wine list. We were there on a Wednesday night and it was quiet but I've been there on Saturday night and you get the same great service.5/28/2013 12:00:00 AMCan't wait to go back to Bistro 5It is rare to find a place where you try 4 different dishes and every one of them is perfect. That was our first experience at Bistro 5. From the fresh bread and bean dip to the chocolate dessert, we loved the chef's creativity and skill. We started with a very fried calamari over tomato aioli base. The squid ink pasta with shellfish and olives was tender and tasty. The scallop risotto dish was incredibly flavorful and melted in your mouth. The calamari and pasta both had a little heat to them, but not too much - just the right amount, and I was so glad that garlic wasn't over used as it is in many italian restaurants.
The service was excellent. Ambiance comfortable and attractive.5/22/2013 12:00:00 AMThank you PBS!We saw the restaurant featured on a PBS travel log show about local restaurants in the Boston and surrounding areas. We immediately booked a reservation for Sunday the 19th of May and luckily got in. This place lives up to the hype! The semolina calimari - with it's fresh tomato chutney - sweet and tangy and just enough spice from the pepperoncino was cooked to a crispy, tender perfection. The scallops with fresh spring risotto was out of this world. The warm golden beets with honey and herbed goat cheese and a hit of black truffle coulis was to die for! Then onto the glorious pistachio-panko encrusted veal Milanese with sage-garlic mashed potatoes and porcini demi - absolutely delicious. Our waiter, Tony, was awesome. Loved it!!5/19/2013 12:00:00 AMA likely gem in West Medford!This could be an even better spot. The food is excellent! The server was a bit overzealous but the hostess was very low key and welcoming. We had already checked out the menu so we knew the food would be good. The server seemed to "oversell".
The location of the bistro is nice. Why hide the outside from the inside with those dreary curtains??? Let some natural light in. The chairs also were very uncomfortable. At those prices, you could at least have a cushioned chair.
The food was very good, fresh etc. It was a busy night. (Tufts Graduation)Next time we'd go on a night that was not so hectic. The West Medford area is fortunate to have Bistro 5 as a destination!5/18/2013 12:00:00 AMMissed our leftoversSplit calamari to start. Not the best ever had but solidly good. My friend had the scallops with carrot risotto, which was divine. I had lemon ricotta cavatelli with duck ragout. Fantastic. Cavatelli was super-lemony and cooked just right. They had a lot of wines by the glass with several very reasonable choices. No dessert b/c we were stuffed. I was already looking forward to leftovers the next day. But, when we got to the car, we realized that the hostess who took our plates away (not our server) never brought the leftovers. We figured they had long since been thrown in the trash, as we had sat for a while finishing our drinks. The entrees are fairly expensive, so I'm pretty bummed about the mix up. Will try it again, though.5/18/2013 12:00:00 AMOur last two dinners at BistroOur last two dinners at Bistro 5 have been especially wonderful. We think it is the Spring season that has inspired the chef, Vittorio. The scallops with carrot and pea risotto is just terrific!5/17/2013 12:00:00 AMOutstanding Service!It was 5:30 on a Friday for a party of 6. The only problem? Everyone in my party was stuck in traffic with many more miles to go! When I called to see if I could push my reservation out an hour, I honestly didn't think they would be able to do it, which was very sad since the food there is delicious and my family was going there to celebrate! I don't know how they managed to accommodate us, but they did it! At 6:30 we all had a wonderful meal (the scallops and sirloin are excellent) and the service was stellar. Thank you Bistro 5 for saving my evening!5/17/2013 12:00:00 AMFood is prepared with greatFood is prepared with great attention to detail and flavors. My boned trout with celery root salad was a wonderful and surprisingly spicy mix of flavors. The mixed green salad was fresh and zesty. Wines by the glass come conveniently in 3 oz or 6 oz sizes, which meant the lighter drinkers could sample more than one wine. Certain tables are conducive to quiet conversation, but more boisterous groups also seem happy and at ease. The hostess was extremely accommodating and went out of her way to give us a quiet table, as she sensed we wanted a quieter evening. I highly recommend this neighborhood gem.5/11/2013 12:00:00 AMBistro 5 is a hidden gem inBistro 5 is a hidden gem in the greater Boston area. Foodies should visit - you won't be disappointed with the menu choices or the flavors. The food is always perfectly prepared and perfectly seasoned. The homemade pastas are divine. I'm always impressed with the quality of the food when I dine. The wine list has a wide-ranging selection of italian and non-italian varieties all at fair prices. The chef keeps the food offerings fresh by maintaining a small standard menu and adding several daily specials. The food has a savoriness that is difficult to find in Boston. The service is efficient and welcoming.5/11/2013 12:00:00 AMEveryone went home happyThe four foodies in my group agree we had a wonderful meal at Bistro 5. At the end of the meal we compared notes and everyone agreed the food exceeded our expectations in every respect. At the end Vito came by to check in and add the personal touch. We drive a good distance to eat here and it is always worth the trip.5/4/2013 12:00:00 AMA wonderful surpriseFour of us went for the first time to Bistro 5. All four of us got the tasting menu with the wine pairings. When the first course (of five) arrived, a soup, one in the party remarked that there was only a modest amount of soup in the bowl; he joked that if the rest of the courses were equally modest, he might have to go to McDonald's after we finished our meal so that he wouldn't go home hungry. Guaranteed that this was not the case; the amount of food was more than adequate. By the end of the meal, we were thankful that in fact the soup course was small because we were thrilled with each course. There wasn't one course that we didn't think was excellent. We will most definitely be back!5/4/2013 12:00:00 AMWe had a wonderful meal--oneWe had a wonderful meal--one of the best we've had at Bistro 5.5/1/2013 12:00:00 AMExceeded all expectations,Exceeded all expectations, fantastic food and service for the price.4/23/2013 12:00:00 AMDelicious and Fresh IngredientsMy husband and I visited this restaurant for Restaurant Week in March and we couldn't wait to get back. We brought friends with us who enjoyed every bite. This will definitely be our new favorite dining spot. The food was amazing. The restaurant uses the freshest ingredients and it makes all the difference. The menu is very modern and innovative. The service was amazing. Our server introduced us to a few new wines that were paired very well with our meals. All in all, a great dining experience which we will keep going back for.4/13/2013 12:00:00 AMPortion size ?I ordered the fish of the day which was cod, served over pesto accompanied by a pickled vegetable mix. Very nice, but the serving was vey small. My first reaction was I received a half order which Bistro 5 does offer n some dishes.
At $27 the portion should be decent sized. My comparison was my wife's veal dish which was extremely generously sized.4/13/2013 12:00:00 AMAs always the sevice is greatAs always the sevice is great and the food very flavorable. My ne disappointment was the cut of the T-Bone lamg. It was mostlty bone and difficult to seperate the meat from the bone.4/12/2013 12:00:00 AMEaster Brunch was terrificEaster Brunch was terrific at Bistro5. None of the hectic nature of a holiday meal, chef's selections were outstanding, especially the lamb osso bucco.3/31/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat evening for food andGreat evening for food and remarkable service. Thanks very much to the Cheff and the maitre, and the whole staff.
Frankin Mansilla3/29/2013 12:00:00 AMBistro 5 is one of our favoriteBistro 5 is one of our favorite "go to" places for celebrating special occasions, or for when we want a consistently good, special meal. The ambiance is excellent, service is always fantastic, and the food is unique and delicious. If you're looking for a run-of-the-mill meal, don't come here. But if you're looking for something different and delicious, give this place a try.3/29/2013 12:00:00 AMFour of us went for the restaurantFour of us went for the restaurant week special on Wednesday night. We were surprised that during these 2 weeks, you can only order from the restaurant week menu for dinner. We ordered Veal - tender and tasty but a little too oily chicken - nothing specialfried calamari - light and freshGnocchi
Organic Mushrooms and Truffled Panko - enjoyed every biteFlourless chocolate cake with ice cream - beautiful presentation and yummyS'mores - so so Wine - The price is right and we all loved what we ordered3/27/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat experience at Bistro 5!Bistro 5 was our final destination on Restaurant Week Boston (Winter 2013) and we were NOT disappointed. From the outside it looks pretty plain but inside was an amazingly warm decor that was comfortable and didn't really feel over crowded. The menu was fantastic and our server was very informative and helpful even offering suggestions on different wine pairings and discussing the foods and even making changes to our meals where needed to accommodate allergies or dislike of certain foods. Over all the experience was great and even when there was an issue with one of our courses it was quickly whisked away and corrected (after asking ME how I thought it could be best remedied!) An overall great experience. Definitely try this out!3/27/2013 12:00:00 AMFood was really fabulous andFood was really fabulous and service was outstanding. This was my first time and I will go back again3/26/2013 12:00:00 AMTremendous food and service.Tremendous food and service. Our meals were delicious and we'll definitely be back for more.3/25/2013 12:00:00 AMA Great FindThis was my second time at Bistro 5. Even though it was restaurant week the chef/owner did not skimp on the menu as some restaurants do. There were numerous choices. The accompaniments to the meat/fish added greatly to the overall dish. I especially can recommend the wild mushroom gnocchi on the pasta course and the eggplant tower on the appetizer course. I look forward to bringing friends to Bistro 5. It was a great find!3/24/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat restaurant just outsideGreat restaurant just outside boston in w. medford. Excellent food, accommodating staff and they will soon have a full liquor license.3/24/2013 12:00:00 AMAwesome Again!Chef Ettore once again created a fabulous menu for Restaurant Week. He is able to coax the most remarkable flavor out of simple, pure, fresh ingredients. The kitchen and wait staff seems to take their lead from Chef. There is a smooth flow to everything they do. The service staff is very knowledgeable about everything they put in front of you. A thorough description is provided as each and every dish is presented.3/23/2013 12:00:00 AMService was impeccable! WeService was impeccable! We will definitely be returning!3/22/2013 12:00:00 AMFood was fantastic, as always!!Food was fantastic, as always!! We brought both friends who have been with us before as well as new friends, who also loved it.3/19/2013 12:00:00 AMVery good Restaurant and haveVery good Restaurant and have been there several times and very pleased. We will definitely be back in the near future.3/17/2013 12:00:00 AMTerrificThis is a gem of a restaurant with consistently outstanding food by the chef owner. It is served in a relaxing atmosphere without pretension.The prices are reasonable for the very high quality of the food. We have taken friends, our young adult children, and our elderly parents here - all loved it. We wish them many more years of success.3/16/2013 12:00:00 AMThe food just gets betterThe food just gets better and better. Imaginative yet not over the top. Lots of flavor. Eye-pleasing presentations.3/16/2013 12:00:00 AMPerfection. Period.My favorite restaurant in the Boston area hands down. So much love in the space and the food. Never disappoints.3/15/2013 12:00:00 AMOur new favorite Italian in Boston!A real gem!! This neighborhood Italian is tucked away on a quiet street corner in Medford, but makes a load statement about the way Italia food should be prepared and served. The best of the North End without the pretense and parking hassles. Sensational!!3/14/2013 12:00:00 AMA good place for a great dinner.Had a very delicious dinner with good wine here. Greeted cheerfully at door and waitstaff very friendly, not intrusive. Ambiance is arty and colorful -- love the various rooms. Will surely be back to try other menu items.3/14/2013 12:00:00 AMThis was a first visit toThis was a first visit to Bistro 5 and it was a success. It was also Restaurant Week and we were pleased that they offered the whole menu instead of limited, low cost offerings. The service was welcoming and helpful/ We will return.3/13/2013 12:00:00 AMAs always...food, serviceAs always...food, service and ambience were excellent. Never have been disappointed.3/12/2013 12:00:00 AMComplicated place. The foodComplicated place. The food was superb--elegantly and imaginatively prepared. But a little skimpy given the price. It's expensive. Nearly $150 for a shared appetizer, two entress, a shared dessert, and three drinks. The smoked meet appetizer was fantqastically good, but the meat couldn't have been cut thinner and there wasn't quite enough of it. The dessert we chared--profiteroles--was for one person, but three tiny profiteroles is barely enough for one. Also not a full bar is a drawback for such a high end place. I'd like to go back more often, but the price is just too high for frequent visits.1/16/2013 12:00:00 AM