Bistro 5

Name: Bistro 5
Address: 5 Playstead Road, Medford, MA, United States, 02155
Telephone: (781) 395-7464
Price range: $31 to $50
Rating: 4.8

4.8

2137 Reviews

$31 to $50

Italian

Make a reservation

2 people

Nov 29, 2024

8:30 p.m.

Booked 5 times today

Neighbourhood gem
Good for special occasions
Charming

Bistro 5 is located in Medford, MA just minutes from downtown Boston. "A quintessential neighborhood spot" boasts The Boston Globe.
Chef/Owner Vittorio Ettore and his team serve the finest Italian fare with French and Spanish influences while focusing on farm-fresh local ingredients. The ever changing Chef's Tasting Menu keeps Boston's most distinguished palates returning time and again for seasonally fresh dishes that embody the warmth and richness of Chef Vittorio's own hospitality.
Bistro 5 also offers a full bar and extensive cocktail and wine list featuring unique wines at exceptional values.
The restaurants 2 dining rooms are richly appointed and can accommodate parties of up to 100 guests, making Bistro 5 the perfect venue for your next office party, family gathering, or special event.

Order delivery or takeout

Additional information

Dining style
Casual Elegant
Price
$31 to $50
Cuisines
Italian, European, French
Hours of Operation
Dinner Tue–Thu 5:00 pm–9:00 pm Fri, Sat 5:00 pm–10:00 pm
Phone number
(781) 395-7464
Website
http://www.bistro5.com/
Payment Options
AMEX, Mastercard, Visa
Dress code
Smart Casual
Executive Chef
Vittorio Ettore
Catering
Bistro 5 caters to a spectrum of events from casual cocktail parties to formal sit down dinners. We provide innovative cuisine to please any palate using the freshest, local ingredients, and professional service. For more information, complete the form on the private dining page at www.bistro5.com or call to speak to our event coordinator.
Private party facilities
At Bistro 5, our personal service approach ensures we execute every detail of your event beyond your expectation. Bistro 5 has the heart and personality of a local favorite but also boasts the sophisticated Northern Italian fare found in a destination dining experience.

Location
5 Playstead Road, Medford, MA 02155
Neighbourhood
Medford
Cross Street
High Street
Parking details
There are several places to park your vehicle. 1. On High Street in West Medford Square, meters until 7pm 2. Along the commuter rail on Playstead Road, metered until 7pm. 3. Municipal parking lot behind Bargain Spot Liquor Store; in West Medford Square on the opposite side of High Street.
Public transit
From North Station you can take the commuter rail on the Lowell Line outbound one (1) stop to West Medford. We are directly across Playstead Road from the train platform to the right of the bank. It is approximately 11 minutes from North Station.
Additional
Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeout, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Offers

Two-Buck-Tuesday Oysters Only $2 Every Tuesday
Multiple dates available
Tue - Thu - 5:00 p.m. - 8:45 p.m.,Fri - Sat - 5:00 p.m. - 9:45 p.m.
Enjoy $2 local oysters every Tuesday, while supplies last only!

Popular dishes

Calamari*US$18.00
Semolina, sweet and spicy tomato chutney, lemon aioli, pickled shishito peppers
Beef Carpaccio*US$18.00
Black truffle coulis, crispy parsnips, pickled lemon zest, pecorino cheese
BurrataUS$16.00
Roasted pear, endives, frisée, castelfranco radicchio, caramelized almonds, vincotto
Golden BeetsUS$15.00
blue cheese crumbles, endives, walnuts
Organic GreensUS$14.00
Radish, rainbow carrots, pecorino crotonese cheese, white balsamic & basil

Handmade Pasta

GnocchiUS$28.00
organic "fat moon mushrooms," herbed crumbs, truffle oil, parmigiano
Spaghetti ChitarraUS$28.00
spanish octopus, smoked poblano, cherry tomato, crispy capers, olive crumbs
Tagliatelle BologneseUS$29.00
beef & pork ragu and shaved parmigiano

Dinner

Faroe Island Salmon*US$30.00
Blood orange emulsion, strawberry rhubarb compote, fennel orange and pea tendril salad, red lentil
Grilled ChickenUS$28.00
Parsley-lemon marinated chicken, romesco sauce, radish and rosemary potatoes
Veal Milanese*US$31.00
Herbed-panko, watercress, gooseberries, roasted rainbow carrots, vincotto, shaved parmigiano
Grilled Steak*US$32.00
100% grass-fed strip loin steak, yucca fries, red pepper chimichurri, charred broccoli, winter salad
Bistro Burger*US$19.00
Grass-fed beef, provolone, apple wood smoked bacon, homemade brioche bun, and hand-cut fries (vegetarian burger available)
Tasty VeganUS$28.00
Red lentils and romesco, roasted cauliflower, radicchio & watercress

House Cocktails

$14

Hemingway
house made spiced rum & falernum, almond, cloves, fresh pineapple concentrate, celery bitters; all infusions are made in house
El Bandido
blanco tequila infused jalapeno, muddled cucumber, house made pear & cardamon puree, lime; all infusions are made in house
West Medford Buck
teeling irish whiskey, lemon, spiced honey, ginger, almond, ginger beer
Bistro Daiquiri
privateer new england white rum, giffard lychee liqueur, lychee & butterfly pea flower syrup, lime juice
Gracias a Mezcal
mezcal artisanal morales, fresh grapefruit juice, honey, red pepper flakes, tonic bitters, chili oil
Gin Thyme
gin lane infused with lemon thyme & coriander, angelica botanical liqueur, passion fruit, kaffir lime leaves, juniper berries, orange bitters; all infusions are made in house
Faleena
el luchador blanco tequila, agavero, agave reduction, lime, salt & lime zest rim
Fraise du Bois
vodka infused with madagascar vanilla beans, strawberry, rooibos, suze, lemon; all infusions are made in house
Sangria Rosada
nerello mascalese rose, apple brandy, luxardo maraschino, guava nectar, ginger ale

New Standards

$14

Vieux Carre
sagamore rye, ansac v.s. cognac, benedictene, carpano antica, bitters
Aviation
bully boy gin, crème de violette, luxardo maraschino liqueur, lemon juice, tonic bitters
Caipirinha
aguaviva artisanal cachaca, muddled lime, granulated sugar
White Negroni
barr hill gin, suze gentian liqueur, lillet blanc, celery bitters
Paper Plane
knob creek bourbon, aperol aperitif, braulio amaro, lemon juice

Beers

Draughts

maine brewing co. 'Lunch' (me, 7%)US$13.00
Zero Gravity 'Green State' Lager (vt, 4.9%)US$11.00
Cambridge Brewing 'Amber Ale' (ma, 4.9%)US$11.00
Faces Brewing Co. 'Progression' ipa (ma, 7%)US$13.00

Bottles / Cans

Fiddlehead IPA (vt, 6.2%)US$12.00
Brooklyn Brewing amber lager (ny, 5.2%)US$10.00
Saison Dupont (Belgium, 6.5%)US$14.00
Allagash 'White' Wheat Ale (ME, 5.2%)US$11.00
'O'Haras' Irish Nitro Stout (Ireland, 4.3%)US$10.00
downewast cider (ma, 5.1%)US$10.00
Bud Light, Lager (4.2%)US$6.00

Wines by the Glass

Whites

Sager & Verdier, Sancerre, FranceUS$15.00
Rahana, Grillo, SicilyUS$14.00
Bisol, Jeio, ProseccoUS$13.00
Corte Pitora, Pinot Grigio, Delle VenezieUS$13.00
Anno Unno, Verdicchio, MarcheUS$14.00
Raeburn, Chardonnay, Russian River ValleyUS$14.00
Nicolas Potel, Macon-Villages, FranceUS$13.00
Paul Buisse, Sauvignon Blanc, Loire ValleyUS$14.00

Rose

Whispering Angel, Cotes du Provence, FranceUS$16.00
Prestige, Côtes du RhôneUS$13.00

Reds

Famiglia Bruno, Barbera d'Alba, PiedmontUS$15.00
Querceto, Chianti ClassicoUS$13.00
Gaierhof, Pinot Nero, TrentinoUS$14.00
Daou, Cab Sauvignon, Paso RoblesUS$15.00
Imma, Nebbiolo, PiedmontUS$15.00
La Linda, Malbec, ArgentinaUS$13.00

What 2,137 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.8

4.8 based on recent ratings

4.7Food
4.8Service
4.7Ambience
4.5Value

Noise • Moderate

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews

Bistro 5 offers a "culinary journey" with creative dishes and an inviting atmosphere. Highlights include the "fantastic" soft shell crab and "incredible" calamari. The chef's tasting menu is a standout, with "exquisite" dishes and perfect wine pairings. Service is often "impeccable," though occasional service hiccups occur. A neighborhood gem!

2,137 Reviews

D
Don
Greater Boston
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined 2 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Bistro 5 is one of the best restaurants in Greater Boston. Last evening our drinks, apps, mains and dessert were all excellent. Like really excellent. We ate at the bar, which was lively, congenial, fun. The staff is welcoming and attentive. Highly recommended!
Is this helpful?
B
Brett
Nashville
9 reviews
4.0
9 reviews
Dined on November 20, 2024
1. Overall 4
2. Food 4
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 4
Time and again - good food, reasonably priced in a pleasant, cozy environment.
Is this helpful?
L
Liane
Dallas
8 reviews
vip
5.0
8 reviews
Dined on November 17, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Great food and service and an all around great atmosphere for brunch.
Is this helpful?
G
Gary
New York City
13 reviews
vip
5.0
13 reviews
Dined on November 15, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 4
A diverse and excellent menu that hits all the buttons. Both adventurous and traditional items on the menu. We went through the Fall tasting menu and pleased with every offering. The venison was fabulous. The wine choices were diverse and not over priced. A great night out for either a casual dinner or a special occasion!
Is this helpful?
K
Kristin
Greater Boston
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on November 8, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Awesome place! I can’t believe it’s been down the road from our house all these years. Upscale Italian — very pricey and rather small plates but perfect for a special occasion. I wish I had come sooner. We’ll return to the bar area soon.
Is this helpful?
D
Dean
San Francisco
2 reviews
3.0
2 reviews
Dined on November 2, 2024
1. Overall 3
2. Food 3
3. Service 2
4. Ambience 2
We were greeted by the hostess whose voice was inaudible due to the noise level and her having a mouthful of food. Once she finished chewing she said something and walked away. Eventually she returned and brought us to our seat. They promptly gave us water but forgot to bring bread (they apologized and brought it halfway through our meal). The bar was extremely backed up and we didn’t receive our drinks until about 20 minutes after sitting down. They were delicious though. The meals were good, but not great, especially for the price point. The presentation of my wife’s Sole dish made it much less apetizing.. (the plate was a mess with sauce/liquid everywhere). We left disappointed overall with the experience.
Is this helpful?
D
Dorothy
Greater Boston
41 reviews
vip
5.0
41 reviews
Dined on November 2, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
We always try to get to Bistro 5 when there is a special menu. We very much enjoyed the prix fixe fall menu which showcased Chef Vittorio’s creativity and skillful use of seasonal ingredients. Each dish was beautiful look at and delicious to eat. The venison dish was extraordinary and featured polenta shaped into a mini pumpkin with melted taleggio inside. The wine pairings were great too. I LOVE this restaurant!
Is this helpful?
k
karen
Greater Boston
60 reviews
vip
5.0
60 reviews
Dined on October 25, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 4
Went for the fall tasting menu. SOOOO good. We loved everything we ate, our server was fabulous, and the chef came out and chatted with us a bit. Can't wait to see the next menu!
Is this helpful?
H
Heather
Greater Boston
17 reviews
vip
4.0
17 reviews
Dined on October 24, 2024
1. Overall 4
2. Food 5
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 4
Great cocktail offerings. The wild mushroom soup was delicious. Lots of fun small plates.
Is this helpful?
J
John
Greater Boston
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on October 22, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
The food was exquisite! Our favorite restaurant! We'll go back soon.
Is this helpful?

FAQs

Bistro 5 offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (781) 395-7464.

Bistro 5 is rated 4.8 stars by 2137 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a reservation

2 people

Nov 29, 2024

8:30 p.m.

Booked 5 times today

Order delivery or takeout

5 Playstead Road, Medford, MA 02155

Additional information

Cross Street
High Street
Neighbourhood
Medford
Hours of Operation
Dinner Tue–Thu 5:00 pm–9:00 pm Fri, Sat 5:00 pm–10:00 pm
Price
$31 to $50
Cuisines
Italian, European, French
Dining style
Casual Elegant
Dress code
Smart Casual
Parking details
There are several places to park your vehicle. 1. On High Street in West Medford Square, meters until 7pm 2. Along the commuter rail on Playstead Road, metered until 7pm. 3. Municipal parking lot behind Bargain Spot Liquor Store; in West Medford Square on the opposite side of High Street.
Public transit
From North Station you can take the commuter rail on the Lowell Line outbound one (1) stop to West Medford. We are directly across Playstead Road from the train platform to the right of the bank. It is approximately 11 minutes from North Station.
Payment Options
AMEX, Mastercard, Visa
Executive Chef
Vittorio Ettore
Additional
Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeout, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Website
http://www.bistro5.com/
Phone number
(781) 395-7464
Catering
Bistro 5 caters to a spectrum of events from casual cocktail parties to formal sit down dinners. We provide innovative cuisine to please any palate using the freshest, local ingredients, and professional service. For more information, complete the form on the private dining page at www.bistro5.com or call to speak to our event coordinator.
Private party facilities
At Bistro 5, our personal service approach ensures we execute every detail of your event beyond your expectation. Bistro 5 has the heart and personality of a local favorite but also boasts the sophisticated Northern Italian fare found in a destination dining experience.

Bistro 5

Make a reservation

Order delivery or takeout

Additional information

Two-Buck-Tuesday Oysters Only $2 Every Tuesday

Calamari

Grilled Chicken

Flourless Chocolate Cake

Small Plates To Share

Marinated Olives

Pickled Vegetables

Eggplant Dip, Roasted Garlic & Goat Cheese

Octopus, White Beans, Chorizo, Tomato, Paprika

Whipped fresh ricotta, sour dough, fat moon mushroom preserve, sea salt

Appetizers

Calamari*US$18.00

Beef Carpaccio*US$18.00

BurrataUS$16.00

Golden BeetsUS$15.00

Organic GreensUS$14.00

Handmade Pasta

GnocchiUS$28.00

Spaghetti ChitarraUS$28.00

Tagliatelle BologneseUS$29.00

Dinner

Faroe Island Salmon*US$30.00

Grilled ChickenUS$28.00

Veal Milanese*US$31.00

Grilled Steak*US$32.00

Bistro Burger*US$19.00

Tasty VeganUS$28.00

House Cocktails

Hemingway

El Bandido

West Medford Buck

Bistro Daiquiri

Gracias a Mezcal

Gin Thyme

Faleena

Fraise du Bois

Sangria Rosada

New Standards

Vieux Carre

Aviation

Caipirinha

White Negroni

Paper Plane

Beers

Draughts

maine brewing co. 'Lunch' (me, 7%)US$13.00

Zero Gravity 'Green State' Lager (vt, 4.9%)US$11.00

Cambridge Brewing 'Amber Ale' (ma, 4.9%)US$11.00

Faces Brewing Co. 'Progression' ipa (ma, 7%)US$13.00

Bottles / Cans

Fiddlehead IPA (vt, 6.2%)US$12.00

Brooklyn Brewing amber lager (ny, 5.2%)US$10.00

Saison Dupont (Belgium, 6.5%)US$14.00

Allagash 'White' Wheat Ale (ME, 5.2%)US$11.00

'O'Haras' Irish Nitro Stout (Ireland, 4.3%)US$10.00

downewast cider (ma, 5.1%)US$10.00

Bud Light, Lager (4.2%)US$6.00

Wines by the Glass

Whites

Sager & Verdier, Sancerre, FranceUS$15.00

Rahana, Grillo, SicilyUS$14.00

Bisol, Jeio, ProseccoUS$13.00

Corte Pitora, Pinot Grigio, Delle VenezieUS$13.00

Anno Unno, Verdicchio, MarcheUS$14.00

Raeburn, Chardonnay, Russian River ValleyUS$14.00

Nicolas Potel, Macon-Villages, FranceUS$13.00

Paul Buisse, Sauvignon Blanc, Loire ValleyUS$14.00

Rose

Whispering Angel, Cotes du Provence, FranceUS$16.00

Prestige, Côtes du RhôneUS$13.00

Reds

Famiglia Bruno, Barbera d'Alba, PiedmontUS$15.00

Querceto, Chianti ClassicoUS$13.00

Gaierhof, Pinot Nero, TrentinoUS$14.00

Daou, Cab Sauvignon, Paso RoblesUS$15.00

Imma, Nebbiolo, PiedmontUS$15.00