Bistro 5 — Restaurant in Medford

Ah man, I really wanted to like this place. The interior is somewhere between an ornate tea room and an English pub, all dark wood and lovely ceiling molds and interesting chandeliers and cloth-covered light fixtures. Neither too dim, nor too loud.

My dinner companion and I were seated at a nightstand-sized two-top and were bummed to learn that there would be no chef’s tasting menu and wine-pairing option tonight. Our server suggested this was unexpected, but offered no further explanation. Oh well - I’ve ordered off of menus before, no worries.

We began with all four of their small plates, including sourdough crostinis, mushrooms & beans, pickled vegetables, and olives. As these began to come out, our server asked if we were ready to put in more food. When I told her I was worried about our limited table real estate, she assured me that they would time things for us. So we asked for the next round of calamari, golden beet salad, and grilled shrimp. These came out nearly immediately in comically oversized dishes. To compensate however, they did wait to fire our entrees of veal and salmon until roughly 15 minutes after our table had been cleared of the previous dishes.

So, the food - The small plates were outstanding. The giant beans and mushrooms were eyes-roll-back-in-your-head delicious. The pickled vegetables were bright and crisp and the crostinis covered in ricotta and truffled honey were an immaculately complex balance of savory and sweet, crusty and smooth.

Things took a dip with the appetizers. The shrimp took an unexpectedly nutty flavor from the coconut lemongrass broth and alfalfa that was definitely engaging, but less transcendent than the previous round of plates. The calamari was unremarkable. Slightly overcooked and over-breaded and served with a hint of tomato chutney at the bottom of the bowl. The golden beet salad was outright disappointing. The name was a bit of a misnomer as the salad was comprised of about 3/4ths of a single golden beet, topping an EXTREMELY salty pile of cooked kale. Look, I love salt. We’re biologically programmed to love it. I use it in everything. But if someone told me that the top of the salt dispenser accidentally fell off while they were seasoning this kale, I’d wonder how the other pound of salt got in there.

The Veal Milanese came slightly overcooked and over-breaded and the frisée was also salted to near-death. The salmon was quite good as were the beluga lentils that came with it. The fermented lemon & turmeric emulsion was an exciting pop of flavor and the presentation was lovely.

Finally, the cocktails we had were excellent. The gin thyme was fabulously fresh and the el bandido had the perfect level of dry heat from the muddled jalapeño. The wine list was surprisingly uninspiring. The prices were on the high-side of typical restaurant markup and the selection was no different than you’d see at a Buca di Beppo. Safe and boring.

Had we just come in for the small plates and cocktails, this review would be flirting with five stars and if you’re in the area and not particularly hungry, I wholly recommend stopping in. Maybe not if you’re out for more than...

Generally excellent food but service and management defects mar the overall dining experience.

(A recent visit compels me to downgrade the four-star review I wrote four years ago, included below.)

We’ve been here several times and usually been happy we came. An email promotion for something I like to order from time to time reminded us to go again yesterday, 11-May-2023.

Arriving for our reservation, we were “greeted” by a surly and unwelcoming maîtresse d’ who seated us at a nice table comfortably spaced from other patrons, and we appreciated the choice of table. Mercifully our contact with her was brief. [My dining partner assures me that I am mistaken about the hostess. I trust her recollection and suspect that I've incorrectly scrambled our contact with her with another one of the front-of-the-house people. The reader should disregard the comments about the hostess, however, I stand by the remainder of this review.]

When our waitress – whom I found to be pleasant, attentive and polite, albeit a little overextended – delivered the specials menu, we pointed out that the price listed there differed from the price in the email promotion. She went to check and when she returned, she said, “He says the email price was for takeout only.”

We pointed out that the email says “Thursday's Takeout & Dine-In Special” in one place and “available for dine-in & takeout” in another. There was a single price shown and no mention of dine-in and takeout prices being different. The wait staff checked again and when she returned, she indicated that the email price would be honored.

Now … a $4 difference turned out to be an insignificant 5% of the check and I would have paid the higher price without complaint if that were the advertised price, but being misled by the email, and having someone (presumably, the manager) attempt to renege on the promotion, soured what should have been a treat. To cement the unpleasantness, when the check arrived, the higher price appeared. The waitress quickly adjusted it.

The Veal Milanese was very good; I enjoyed the Fish & Chips special and appreciated that the portion was the right size rather than too big, like F&C often is; my companion thought her cocktail was delicious. In part because I was still simmering from an unpleasant experience, we left without ordering dessert. I’m disappointed that it will be difficult to return without remembering what turned out to be a good meal tainted by inhospitable service practice.

(Previous four-star review from 2019:)

Generally, truly exceptional food. Spotty service. Expensive. The arancini di mare were very good as a starter and the cheese plate was a fine way to end the meal. We had lobster rolls in between; the lobster was tender but not very flavorful and it was sauced too much and dripping. When the check came, we were shocked to discover that the lobster rolls were $29. (Maybe we're spoiled by Gloucester prices.)

This is a good place for a special occasion or if someone else is picking up the tab but it gets pricey quickly. Otherwise, there are $1 oysters on Tuesday and Thursday is Burger...

If you’re looking for a dining experience that transcends mere eating and transforms into a culinary adventure, Bistro 5 is the place to be. From the moment you step through the doors, you’re welcomed into a world where passion and creativity are the main ingredients in a memorable dining experience.

At the heart of this remarkable restaurant is Chef Vittorio, whose enthusiasm for cooking is palpable in every dish. His chef’s tasting menu is a testament to his innovative spirit and deep love for the culinary arts. Each course is not just a meal but a thoughtfully crafted experience that reflects Chef’s dedication and imagination.

One of the standout features of the evening was the personal touch Chef Vittorio brought to our table. As he introduced each course, it was clear that his excitement for the dishes was matched only by his eagerness to share his creative process with us. For example, during the course featuring foie gras three ways, Chef Vittorio explained how he meticulously crafted each preparation to showcase different textures and flavors. He described the process of creating a foie gras trio dish (torchon, brulee, and foioreos... yes, a Foie Gras Oreo... INCREDIBLE!). His detailed explanation of how he balanced the richness of the foie gras with contrasting elements, and his insights into the technique behind each presentation, made the dish even more enjoyable. It was like getting a behind-the-scenes look at a masterpiece being created, and it added a special, intimate element to the meal.

The chef’s tasting menu itself was a culinary journey. Each dish was beautifully presented and bursting with inventive flavors that showcased Chef Vittorio’s remarkable talent. The wine pairings were perfectly selected to complement the tasting menu, enhancing each dish’s unique characteristics. And let’s not forget the specialty cocktails—each one was a delightful blend of flavors that perfectly rounded out the evening.

What truly sets Bistro 5 apart is not just the exceptional food and drink, but the sense of community and enthusiasm that Chef Vittorio fosters with his staff. It’s evident that his team shares his passion and is equally committed to delivering an outstanding dining experience. The camaraderie and shared excitement in the kitchen shine through in every aspect of the meal.

In a city brimming with dining options, Bistro 5 is a gem that stands out for its creativity, passion, and exceptional culinary offerings. If you’re looking for more than just a meal—if you’re craving a genuine, immersive dining experience where you can taste the chef’s love for his craft—this is the place to visit.

Highly recommended for food enthusiasts and anyone looking to enjoy a meal that’s as memorable as it...