Hours:

Mon-Sat 5pm-10pm

Price:

$$$

Last updated 7.20.11

Category:

Restaurants

Payment Methods:

Visa, MasterCard

Restaurant Special Features:

Local Favorite, Prix Fixe Menu, Hidden Find

Cuisine:

French, Italian

Smoking Permitted:

No

Editor's Tips

What People Are Saying About Bistro 5

Featured Review

Contributor

Contributor

In Short – Bistro 5's seasonal menu of modern Italian fare has made the restaurant a favorite of Medford residents and couples looking to celebrate a special occasion. The comfortable dining rooms and well-chosen wine list add to the atmosphere. Those looking for an extra-special dining experience opt for the chef's tasting menu, while regular diners enjoy dishes like lobster "cappuccino" (fortified lobster bisque with truffled cream) and seared free-range chicken with prosciutto and polenta.

Editor's Tips

The Extras:
Three- and five-course chef's tasting menus provide a bargain for the culinarily adventurous.
ambiance
100.0% positive
  1. “romantic plus great food -- what a combination”
  2. “We were pleasantly surprised at how romantic & intimate the interior is compared to the exterior!”
  3. “This is the best place to go in the Boston area for high quality food and great service in a romantic atmosphere!”
  4. “Amazing food, knowledgable staff, great atmosphere”
drinks
100.0% positive
  1. “The wine menu was filled with wonderful Italian wines and we were very pleased to see our favorite Chianti Classico wine on there.”
  2. “They're friendly, real people, who you can tell stay for a communal drink after closing, and who's recommendations are spot on.”
  3. “good italian, surprisingly strong wine list, prices aren't the cheapest around but are fair considering the portions”
  4. “Bistro 5 is not in a particularly trendy or upscale town, but the food, wine and service are EXCELLENT.”
food quality
94.11999702453613% positive
  1. “This is the best place to go in the Boston area for high quality food and great service in a romantic atmosphere!”
  2. “The food is great, and th.”
  3. “Intimate, neighborhood bistro with fabulous food -- I've never been disappointed.”
  4. “Amazing food, knowledgable staff, great atmosphere”
  5. “The Italian menus offer high quality, fresh ingredients put together in an interesting way; I think this restaurant is a great find.”
  6. “The infamous Veal Milanese bread/pistashio coating was crisp, and flavorful encasing tender veal placed on garlic mashed potatoes that worked very well.”
  7. “The food was outstanding with perfect timing to the serving of the dishes.”
  8. “The Salmon was flawlessly flavorful and moist with black sesame seeds and vegetables complimenting the fish perfectly.”
  9. “Yes, it is an expensive meal out but we think it's definitely worth it for a treat.”
  10. “Bistro 5 is not in a particularly trendy or upscale town, but the food, wine and service are EXCELLENT.”
  11. “The pastas, meats and fishes are always topped with amazing sauces.”
  12. “It's right in Medford, not far from Tufts and the food is superb.”
  13. “The prices were reasonable, but I ordered a veal dish that was (over-)cooked in a fryolator and was flavorless.”
  14. “Overall if you like gourmet food I'd rate it a 3 on a scale 1 to 5.”
  15. “romantic plus great food -- what a combination”
  16. “The food was excellent, the staff was very helpful.”
  17. “The Bistro serves the best authentic modern Italian cuisine this side of Rome.”
menu variety
100.0% positive
  1. “The Italian menus offer high quality, fresh ingredients put together in an interesting way; I think this restaurant is a great find.”
  2. “Went here for rest week - Winter as I thought the menu looked great & I was not disappointed.”
  3. “The wine menu was filled with wonderful Italian wines and we were very pleased to see our favorite Chianti Classico wine on there.”
overall
100.0% positive
  1. “This is the best place to go in the Boston area for high quality food and great service in a romantic atmosphere!”
service
100.0% positive
  1. “The servers (Angus is our favorite) are always friendly and helpful.”
  2. “They're friendly, real people, who you can tell stay for a communal drink after closing, and who's recommendations are spot on.”
  3. “The food was excellent, the staff was very helpful.”
  4. “The staff was very helpful and very friendly.”
  5. “Bistro 5 is not in a particularly trendy or upscale town, but the food, wine and service are EXCELLENT.”
  6. “Amazing food, knowledgable staff, great atmosphere”
  7. “This is the best place to go in the Boston area for high quality food and great service in a romantic atmosphere!”
  8. “Our waitress was excellent.”
value
66.66999816894531% positive
  1. “The prices were reasonable, but I ordered a veal dish that was (over-)cooked in a fryolator and was flavorless.”
  2. “Yes, it is an expensive meal out but we think it's definitely worth it for a treat.”
  3. “good italian, surprisingly strong wine list, prices aren't the cheapest around but are fair considering the portions”
2 Star Rating: Below Average

05/06/08

Atmosphere nice - Food too gourmet - left hungry :(

by salemwoodcafe385 at Citysearch

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
5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

03/18/08

restaurant week

by holten at Citysearch

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
5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

03/03/08

romantic plus great food -- what a combination

by lhq at Citysearch

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
1 Star Rating: Poor

03/04/07

Very Poor Service

by tditty at Citysearch

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

5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

10/23/05

Authentic Italian

by petitgourmand at Citysearch

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!

The Details on Bistro 5

Place Categories:

  • nice atmosphere
  • very helpful staff
  • especially good restaurant
  • romantic interior
  • always friendly servers
  • great service
  • great dining experience
  • authentic modern italian cuisine
  • moist salmon
  • favorite chianti classico wine
  • great bistro
  • good italian
  • friendly real people
  • favorite angus
  • great dining
  • nice date spot
  • fresh ingredients
  • wonderful italian wines
  • perfect timing
  • best place
  • reasonable prices
  • excellent waitress
  • excellent gourmet food
  • expensive meal
  • great menu