Bistro 5

Atmosphere inside was nice. Food overated and overpriced. I am not one for "fancy" food. We left hungry and disappointed. Waitstaff was prompt and attentative as they were not very busy. Overall if you like gourmet food I'd rate it a 3 on a scale 1 to 5. I much prefer the Cafe Escadrille in Burlington for special occasions or The Salem Wood Cafe in Malden for a more casual dinner.

Pros: Atmosphere, Easy to get to

Cons: Food just average - portions small

Posted 05/05/08

Went here for rest week - Winter as I thought the menu looked great & I was not disappointed. We were pleasantly surprised at how romantic & intimate the interior is compared to the exterior! The portions were more than adequate, the eggplant & goat cheese appetizer was melt in your mouth yummy! The wine menu was filled with wonderful Italian wines and we were very pleased to see our favorite Chianti Classico wine on there. Overall it was an excellent dining experience & one we will repeat again soon!!!

Pros: ambience, food, value

Cons: parking

Posted 03/17/08

This is the kind of place you go if you want to hold hands. Intimate, neighborhood bistro with fabulous food -- I've never been disappointed.

Pros: food, service, ambiance

Cons: no casual bar area if you want to eat by yourself and catch the ballgame

Posted 03/02/08

I have now had a first after many years of seeking our fine dining. My party of 5 arrived on time for our 8:15 reservation and they kept us waiting 35 minutes while at least 3 other parties, that arrived after us and of comparable size were seated including 2 parties that had reservations at 8:30. After a lack of consideration and feeble explainations we left

Posted 03/03/07

Another great find outside the city! Bistro 5 is not in a particularly trendy or upscale town, but the food, wine and service are EXCELLENT. I always get the calamari appetizer---it is deliciosly different and very light. The entreés are always in season and perfectly prepared. The pastas, meats and fishes are always topped with amazing sauces. The servers (Angus is our favorite) are always friendly and helpful. This si definitely worth a trip to Medford!

Posted 10/22/05

My daughter is a college student at Tufts University in Medford. Over the years, when we visit we usually go to Boston. We were surprised when we learned about Bistro 5. It's right in Medford, not far from Tufts and the food is superb. The Italian menus offer high quality, fresh ingredients put together in an interesting way; I think this restaurant is a great find. People don't expect this caliber of food in Medford.

Posted 04/28/05

good italian, surprisingly strong wine list, prices aren't the cheapest around but are fair considering the portions

Posted 03/15/05

We had a great experience. The staff was very helpful and very friendly. One thing to know before you go is they only serve beer and wine. The food was excellent, the staff was very helpful. We have been twice and had a great time both times.

Pros: Staff

Posted 11/12/04

We've been to Bistro 5 many times and have always been overly pleased with our meal. Yes, it is an expensive meal out but we think it's definitely worth it for a treat.
They have seasonal menus, so it's always changing but you can't go wrong with any of the beef entrees.
The only problem is that they do not take reservations for parties of less than 4 people.

Pros: Great Food, Cool Atmosphere

Posted 11/11/04

Bistro 5 is that 'most special place' you take friends from out of town when they're done "doing the tourist thing" and want the best of what your city has to offer.

The Bistro serves the best authentic modern Italian cuisine this side of Rome. Careful attention is paid to flavor, presentation, and providing a wonderfully wide variety you won't find elsewhere - like rabbit, boar, and divine sauces. The pasta and bread are handmade! And the wines are excellent and well priced.

The staff adds to the experience. They're friendly, real people, who you can tell stay for a communal drink after closing, and who's recommendations are spot on.

And since its significant renovation, you won't find a warmer ambiance in Boston.

Bistro 5 is great anytime. And it's an especially good restaurant to take out-of-towners for a real treat they'll remember.

Can't recommend it highly enough! ENJOY!

Pros: Excellent Food, Excellent Staff, Excellent Ambiance

Posted 11/05/03

Despite pouring rain, daunting steps for my wheel chair, and the "Fryolator" remark in the previous review, my wife and I and our friends, decided to try Bistro 5 on Saturday evening.

The food was outstanding with perfect timing to the serving of the dishes. Each of the appetizers was shared and pronounced delightful. The Salmon was flawlessly flavorful and moist with black sesame seeds and vegetables complimenting the fish perfectly. The Roasted Lamb was tender and delicious.. The infamous Veal Milanese bread/pistashio coating was crisp, and flavorful encasing tender veal placed on garlic mashed potatoes that worked very well. My wife did not share her scallops and her dish was all but licked clean.

The wine list was good and reasonably priced. A patron helped our waiter, Angus, carry me down the steps in plenty of time to get to the theater. I'd heartily recommend Bistro 5 to anyone.

Pros: Fresh Tasting Food, Creative Menu, Great Atmosphere

Cons: Parking, NOT handicap friendly

Posted 06/07/03

The food was barely OK. The place is kind of cute, but not particularly comfortable. The prices were reasonable, but I ordered a veal dish that was (over-)cooked in a fryolator and was flavorless. My companion was less-than -impressed with their dish, the vegetables were totally limp and generic. Our waitress was excellent.

Pros: service, locale

Cons: nothing special, overrated, use better oil to fry

Posted 03/22/03