By Nancy Brumback, Contributing Writer
Westborough??”When Bagel Bistro moved across the street in October and opened as The Bistro, it did more than tweak the name. A full breakfast menu, more lunch options, three times the seating, and a Sunday breakfast buffet are all part of the bright new location.
“We changed the dynamics of what we are, not just the name,” said Stephen Chitow, who has owned the restaurant for almost 17 years. “We always were a spot for quick counter service in the mornings. Now we have a full breakfast every day.”
A larger, more complete kitchen allows the addition of grilled sandwiches to the lunch menu along with the Sunday breakfast buffet.
“We'se wanted more space for a long time,” he said, and now the restaurant seats about 60. The Bistro is located at 57 E. Main St. in Westborough. Large windows at the front and side flood the space with natural light. Glass cases display breakfast pastries, tempting desserts, and samples of the fanciful cakes that Liz Chitow, Stephen's wife and the cake decorator, turns out for any occasion.
Everything served in the restaurant and sold in the bakery is made onsite except for the gluten-free line of breads, cupcakes, croissants, muffins, and other baked goods. Those come from Something Sweet Without the Wheat, a gluten-free bakery.
“We have too much flour in our kitchen to be sure we could produce truly gluten-free products,” Stephen said, but emphasized this line of products is so good, “I allow it to be here.”
The Bistro makes 22 varieties of bagels every day along with all the other items that fill the display cases. Customers can choose from nine flavors of coffee, hot or iced.
Breakfast sandwiches, 11 varieties of three-egg omelets, pancakes, waffles, and French toast are all on the morning menu. The sandwiches, including a cup of coffee, are $5.50 or less.? Omelets run between $6.50 and $9. At the upper end, the steak bomb omelet includes shaved steak, peppers, and mushrooms with cheese and the urban rancher has braised short ribs and grilled onions with goat cheese. On weekends, The Bistro adds four varieties of eggs benedict to the menu.
Sunday's breakfast buffet is $13, $10 for children 10 and under, and includes an omelet station. The regular breakfast menu is also available on Sundays.
Stop in for lunch, and the deli sandwiches the restaurant has always had are available, most under $7. But now the restaurant offers creative grilled sandwiches, such as the Get Shorty with braised short ribs, caramelized onions, and Swiss cheese, or an Asian pulled pork sandwich topped with Asian slaw. Grilled sandwiches, including vegetarian options, run $5 to $8.
In addition to classic, Greek, and Caesar salads, The Bistro features strawberry pecan salad with homemade candied pecans and a grilled summer vegetable salad. Homemade soups are available.
The Bistro's bakery has cakes for every occasion, decorated by Liz. “I love being a part of some of the most important days in people's lives,” from first birthdays and bar mitzvahs to weddings, she said. She works with customers to create their cake from a variety of cake flavors, frostings, and fillings. Samples of her work are in the store's display case, with photos on the website, www.bistro57.com and Facebook.
Liz is entering the gingerbread castle competition Saturday, Dec. 14, at the Higgins Armory Museum in Worcester, and urged people to visit the museum “and vote for my entry.”
The Bistro also offers an extensive catering menu, and specializes in barbecues and clam bakes.
The Bistro is open Monday through Friday, 6 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.; Saturday 7 a.m. to 2 p.m., and Sunday, 7 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The Chitows encourage customers to check their Facebook page, www.facebook.com/Bistro57, for special promotions and the chance to comment on new menu items. Additional information is available at www.bistro57.com or by calling 508-836-3889.
