Chiara BistroOutstanding diningThis was my first visit to Chiara and I was so thoroughly pleased. Steve, Chef/owner greeted us and was so welcoming that I just knew this was going to be a great evening. Amy at the attractive bar was personable and fun and so attentive ,we decided to remain at the bar for dining. OMG the food was absolutely the best from the 3 figs, steak tartar, entrees and dessert I must say this beats anything in Boston or surrounding. I will be back with friends knowing their experience will be tops as well.6/12/2013 12:00:00 AMConsistently WonderfulMy recent visit confirmed that Chiara is consistently wonderful---food preparation and innovation and service. We were promptly served, but not rushed when we wanted to talk to friends we had not seen for over a year. A Tuesday or Wednesday is a good bet if you want to have a leisurely dinner without being rushed. Highly recommended!6/11/2013 12:00:00 AMMostly goodOur first trip to Chiara a year ago was perfect. This last time, it was very good but not perfect. Most of the dishes were excellent, but a couple of them were too salty, one of them to the point where it was almost inedible.6/1/2013 12:00:00 AMBest food around!My wife and I just went there to celebrate our 4th anniversary and our experience was absolutely perfect. The service was spot on, we never had to seek out a waitress, they were very promptly and knowledgeable about the menu, including drinks. We were even greeted by the Head Chef Pat Hansen and the owner of the restaurant at one point in the meal.
Last but not least, we were seated directly across from Bill Belichick of the Patriots. So there is any indication of the caliber restaurant this place is. I recommend this place for any special occasion, as it is somewhat pricey, but worth every penny.5/31/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat.2nd visit this year. Excellent food, interesting combinations, great spot.5/31/2013 12:00:00 AMMenu offerings different fromMenu offerings different from the usual restaurant fare. Good appetizers and desert selections. Quality very good though swordwish steak got a little over cooked. They were very accomodating and fired a new one very quickly. Definitely would return.5/26/2013 12:00:00 AMHIgh school graduation celebrationChiara's, you did it again. Our son requested you as the way to celebrate graduation from "C.M.", and it was a perfect ending to a sentimental day. Thanks for the thoughtful corner booth. Loved the gnocchis, onion soup and lamb meat balls. Citrus salad with grilled shrimp was the perfect meal for me. Guys had lamb, lots of burgers. Five orders of creme brulee! Such a neighborly feel, and on the way out, saw some neighbors.5/23/2013 12:00:00 AMPerfect go-to bistro/barChiara is our favorite -- we live about 15 minutes away and choose it over Boston whenever we can -- this restaurant would successfully compete with the better ones in the city anyway. They accomplish very consistent execution of an intriguing, seasonally changing menu, and have a great wine list on which the staff provides very competent advice (also an extensive cocktail menu with changing creative cocktail specials). Service is just right, friendly and attentive but unobtrusive. Atmosphere is lively with the open kitchen and active bar area (where you can be seated for dinner).5/12/2013 12:00:00 AMAbove average, but service subparChiara has a nice, modern space that's tastefully decorated and well proportioned. Cocktails were well made and fresh. Food was above average, but imbalanced with highs and lows in the same dish. For example, veal fusilli had excellent protein, but pasta was overcooked and sauce oversalted. Quality wine list. Perhaps an off night, but service was unacceptably slow at each step during the meal.5/11/2013 12:00:00 AMCelebrated a birthday, whichCelebrated a birthday, which the restaurant graciously acknowledged with a complimentary dessert. Appetizers (hummus & onion soup) were very good and entrees (swordfish & sirloin special) were excellent. Wine was reasonably priced. Service was dependable & pleasant, but not as polished as befits a restaurant of this caliber & cost.5/11/2013 12:00:00 AMPerfect anniversary spotMy husband and I wanted to celebrate our wedding anniversary a) without our kids and b) with a romantic dinner and Chiara was the perfect spot. Everything we ate - from the appetizers to the entrees to dessert - was excellent. Our waiter was very friendly and helpful without being pushy at all. We loved the feel of the restaurant (it's not a huge place but because of the layout, it feels very intimate) and it was not at all noisy. We will definitely be back soon!5/5/2013 12:00:00 AMWonderful evening....and veryWonderful evening....and very much liked our waitress. We really lingered over our meal and were treated with great respect even in a busy restaurant. I mention our lingering because perhaps that affected our end of evening service. It was ok to sit and wait, but when you've finished your dessert and are just sitting there with only a couple tables occupied it would have been nice to have been checked in on, especially since it was pretty late.4/23/2013 12:00:00 AMThe Lollichops and musclesThe Lollichops and muscles were delicious! My table did not receive the complimentary "spoon" of the chef's special sample -- several other tables got them and we have gotten them during our previous 2 visits so we were very disappointed that we got skipped this time.
I got the Maine scallops-- the menu listed "baby bok choy" but I instead, my plate had Gai Choy. I'm not sure if the menu was mislabeled or the chef confused the vegetable. Also, the Gai Choy was very overcooked.
I ordered the creme bulee to go since I was so full. The menu lists the creme bulee is accompanied by cookies, but sadly in my to go bag, there were no cookies!4/20/2013 12:00:00 AMMy husband said he could eatMy husband said he could eat the steak tartar appetizer for a meal it was so good. The duck was fantastic and making their own sorbet is genius. I had the coconut sorbet and it was creamy and delicious.4/13/2013 12:00:00 AMWe dined here on a FridayWe dined here on a Friday night in chilly April. The restaurant is a nice big room with brighter and darker areas, an open kitchen and simple but elegant décor. The menu was interesting and a welcome change to the usual neighbourhood restaurants. Staff were polite and friendly although there were times when we were looking for our waitress. The bass was very good but the duck entrée was overcooked and dry which was a particular shame as it came recommended by our server. Breads were extremely good.4/12/2013 12:00:00 AMThe dining room was very brightThe dining room was very bright and loud. But the food and service were excellent, great wine and drink list.4/6/2013 12:00:00 AMWonderful restaurant in theWonderful restaurant in the quaint town of Westwood. The food and drinks were excellent and our server was great. The only concern was the staff at Chiara did not read our request in special notes when the reservation was made. We requested a table for 4 and specifically said not a booth because 2 or our 4 guests were large individuals. When we were taken to our table at 8:45p.m.(for an 8:30 reservation) we were given a table with two chairs and a side booth. This made it ackward for both couples. Rather than cause a scene we accepted the table. However, I think the staff should have realized this would be a problem based on the discrete notes in the reservation.4/6/2013 12:00:00 AMAs always, we had a greatAs always, we had a great evening. The strawberry basil margarita was a little watery, but otherwise good. My favorite drink here is the Blood Orange cosmo but it was not on the menu this time. My husband had the gnocchi with corn and it was AMAZING.4/3/2013 12:00:00 AMOur Easter meal was amazing.Our Easter meal was amazing. Our taste buds had experiences it never had before. Thank you Open table for another great restraunt we could experience, with convenience to reserve a table on this special holiday.3/31/2013 12:00:00 AMAll about the food.Great food and service. Well stocked bar with a decent wine list.. Chiara Bistro has become one of our favorite restaurants.3/30/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat dining experience, veryGreat dining experience, very consistent menu items and service..3/29/2013 12:00:00 AMMy wife and I love this localMy wife and I love this local restaurant. The food is consistently very good. We especially liked the warm Brie appetizer and the chicken entree.3/28/2013 12:00:00 AMTables a good distance apart,Tables a good distance apart, not side by side like a lot of restaurants. great lighting, quiet, excellent service.3/24/2013 12:00:00 AMAbsolutely best food my wifeAbsolutely best food my wife and I have had in a long time. The chef was extremely sociable, he visited the table when it was extremely crowded and still had the time to inquire about the food and chit chat for a second. The mixed drink my wife had was great, they have a smalll bar but it is great for a drink before you are seated.3/22/2013 12:00:00 AMThe meal was delicious! OurThe meal was delicious! Our waitress was very attentive without being a pest. Had a very pleasant evening.3/22/2013 12:00:00 AMThis was Restaurant Week andThis was Restaurant Week and the offerings were really great. I had the Salmon which was outstanding. The French Onion Soup was okay not notable. I had two cocktails and the juice is not real juice but like a mix. I was disappointed will order wine next time. All in all I definitely will return to this restaurant.3/22/2013 12:00:00 AMWe tried their 3 course restaurantWe tried their 3 course restaurant week menu which was excellent. Filling portions of scrumptious foods!!!3/21/2013 12:00:00 AMTo be highly recommendedTo be highly recommended though expensive , but worth it. Our second visit and our first opinion confirmed3/20/2013 12:00:00 AMDowntown atmosphere in theDowntown atmosphere in the suburbs. Food presentation was as fine as any upscale city spot and the food equaled the presentation.3/17/2013 12:00:00 AMFood well prepared, creativeFood well prepared, creative dishes, something for every palate.
Crowded but with a reservation we (6 people) were taken right away.3/16/2013 12:00:00 AMNoraAfter having driven by Chiara for 5 years, we decided to make reservations and try it out. Wow,I've been missing a great place for too long. Our table was ready when we arrived which is important to me. I had the grilled tomato and Parmesan salad. It didn't look like what I had expect when it arrived, but it was wonderful. Grilling the tomatoes made them very sweet and they were offset by a thick Parmesan dressing atop some fresh greens. For the entree, I asked our waitress for suggestions because there were so many choices I would have ordered. i had the pork chop, which was grilled perfectly and served with asparagus and potatoes au gratin. So delicious.. For dessert we split the chefs special which was a carrot cake with ice cream.3/15/2013 12:00:00 AMOur experience at Chiara thisOur experience at Chiara this week was outstanding! Great atmosphere, friendly staff, delicious food and wine. The waitress was graciously accommodating to our special dietary needs and the chefs created a scrumptious vegan meal that had just the right blend of flavors and textures. It was a perfect meal, start to finish and we will certainly be back!3/12/2013 12:00:00 AMWe had a fabulous New YearsWe had a fabulous New Years Eve meal here which we have done with another couple for the last 3 years. This time everything was done to perfection. We had a great table and although the place was packed, we were allowed to linger over our excellent meal as long as we wanted. The service was attentive and warm, but relaxed. We had a great time.12/31/2012 12:00:00 AM