View Finder: Five Bays Bistro Reviewed

Five Bays Bistro is a restaurant located at the center of downtown Osterville. Five Bays has the modern elegance, menu quality and presentation rivaling any restaurant you'd find on the bustling streets of Boston, with the convenience of a Cape Cod location and laid-back vibe.

The restaurant and bar somehow balance a cozy feel with a stylish ambiance through good lighting, unique artwork and decor accents. Once you walk in the door you instantly know you’re not at your average clam shack on The Cape...and that's before you even open the menu.

I brought a few hungry mouths with me for the review, as I knew I wanted to try as many dishes as possible. We were sat at a lovely table by the window and excitedly perused the dining options.

The group decided on a lovely Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley, recommended by our professional and friendly server. I was tempted to order a martini as I know they make a good one...but wine it was!

We decided on a few appetizers that stood out to us and were excited to order an app off the specials menu. Denying fan favorites like the Lobster Mac & Cheese and Fried Calamari, we decided on the Crispy Fried Artichokes, Prosciutto Carpaccio and the special gnocchi dish.

The appetizers came quickly and were top notch in presentation. The carpaccio was outstanding, featuring a nice combination of flavors and textures. The salt of the thinly-sliced prosciutto, the sharpness of the pecorino cheese, the crispy arugula and sweetness of the figs and balsamic reduction worked wonderfully together.  

The Crispy Fried Artichokes, which were served with some greens, pecorino and a delicious lemon aioli. The batter was light and the flavor of the artichokes was able to shine through - leaving everyone impressed with the unique dish.

The homemade gnocchi served with sweet peas, mint, tomato and basil in a white wine reduction was delicious. For someone who is not always a fan of gnocchi preparation, I was weary. Howver, the dish was cooked to perfection and was one of my favorite flavors of the night!

Savoring the flavors of our appetizers and wine, we enjoyed the ambiance and good vibes of the restaurant as we waited for dinner. I was impressed throughout the night with the funky music playing subtly in the background; it added to the modern lounge feel.

After a short wait, the table was filled with, again, beautifully displayed dishes. For the entrees, we decided to use a team effort and chose our three favorites on the menu, all to be shared. First up was the Sole Francaise. Thinly sliced and lightly battered sole was delicately served over sautéed asparagus and creamy Parmesan risotto.

The white fish was prepared perfectly in a light lemon caper sauce and worked wonderfully with the other flavors on the plate. This was definitely a crowd pleaser.

The Tomato and Cumin Roasted Salmon, fish was served over lemon & spinach orzo, and had a very unique and flavorful cucumber and shrimp salsa on top. The salmon was complimented nicely with all the different spices and flavors, really adding a twist the popular fish.

For the non-seafood lover is the Kobe Beef Burger. The burger was served on brioche, a nice sweet bread roll and presented with a side of homemade pomme fritte (aka fancy, delicious, cheesy, garlic-y french fries). Atop the burger was an flavorful combo of crispy prosciutto, red onion relish and garlic aioli. I saved my last bite of this burger to end the meal, always a good sign!

The dining experience at Five Bays Bistro was fabulous. Although, not a cheap meal, the food had gorgeous presentation, fresh ingredients, unique combinations and was served professionally in a “cool” atmosphere.