With a menu full of Mediterranean fare, Chiara Bistro on High Street features items that change seasonally. Chiara's dishes fall right in the realm of Mediterranean cuisine, said Executive Chef Steve LaCount, touching on everything from French dishes to Italian deserts and appetizers.  For those not in the mood for a full meal, a number of casual fare items are available, such as burgers and salads. A fixed prix, 3-course menu is also offered Sunday through Thursday. A full bar is also available for patrons looking to enjoy a cocktail or ale before dinner. Chiara is open Tuesday through …

It's the true sign that Spring is here and Summer is on it's way. No, not the distant memory of snow, or the budding flowers and trees—Bubbling Brook. Located on High Street, near the border of Walpole, Bubbling Brook is a renowned favorite for families and patrons from not only Westwood, but also a host of surrounding areas.  Customers come from all over to enjoy the eatery's famous flavors of soft serve and ice cream, which can be bought through the trademark "Freeze" windows located outside of the building. But there's more to Bubbling Brook than just ice cream. The restaurant serves …

There is no doubt that Kings is the spot in the area to lace up a pair of traction-less shoes, lift a 13-pound ball with three fingers and wing it down waxed wood at white pins that may - or may not - represent a source of stress. But with a full bar and more than a full menu, Kings offers up a great place to hang with friends or go on a date without bouncing around from place to place. With options from steak tips to fish and chips, this isn't your dad's bowling alley with frozen pizza and soggy fries. (That's because the waffle fries with buffalo sauce and BBQ chicken pizza makes you forget…

If you like a bit of local flavor in your morning coffee, there is an alternative to Dunkin Donuts or Starbucks right in the heart of Westwood. Cafe Diva, located across from Cold Stone on Washington Street in Islington, is open seven days a week, offering you the cafe-style goods of breakfast and lunch. If you're looking for another option to wake up to in the morning, Cafe Diva's got it, from pastries and ice cream, to freshly brewed coffee. Cafe Diva is located in the heart of Islington. Open seven days a week for breakfast and lunch, it is a popular spot among locals. It also serves ice …

Grabbing a quick, fulfilling and tasty lunch can be tough to do in just an hour-long break from work. But swinging into Paradise Cafe in Dedham Square might just be the trick. Owner Ali Koushan sports a menu full of freshly made-to-order Paninis, along with soups and fresh salads.  Grabbing a seat on a comfortable leather coach at Paradise Cafe - formerly Cafe Video Paradiso - can be a break from the hard office chair you sat in all afternoon. After a sandwich, either grab a cannoli - filled-to-order - or an espresso from what Koushan calls the "Ferrari" of espresso machines.

Opening in December 1995, Islington Pizza and Sub Shop is a prime location for food lovers who enjoy pizza, subs, and, of course, a family-friendly atmosphere. "It's a family ownership," Owner Maria Tassiopoulos told Westwood Patch last summer. "And that's not just it. There is a low employee turnover, with some guys working here for several years. It is very family friendly - there's even a playground right behind us." The restaurant's location on Washington is ideal for anyone passing through town and looking for a quick bite to eat, but also for those who love a once-a-week specialtiy of …

If you are looking to head out to eat this weekend, but not willing to fight the traffic to get into the city, each week Westwood Patch will have a suggestion in or around Westwood of where to fill up. This week, we're pointing over to Dedham Square. With the King's Speech still on the silver screen at Dedham Community Theatre, it is a great opportunity to see the Oscar-winning film that everyone is chatting about at the water cooler.  And no other place can put you in the mood to watch a film about British royalty than to be treated as such at Isabella's. It is usually a busy atmosphere at …

Deep in the heart of the strip plaza on High Street - which is also occupied by the likes of Westwood Pizza and Dunkin Donuts - lies Blue Orchid, which might be your next top choice of eateries in Westwood. The restaurant offers everything from Szechuan to Mandarin to Cantonese-style Chinese food. Menu items include specials on mango chicken, mango shrimp and chow foon. Like other restaurants in town, Blue Orchid also sells alcohol. The atmosphere also adds to the dining experience, with tablecloths, linen napkins and Asian artwork lining the walls. If you're looking for a change in a place …

If you are looking to head out to eat this weekend, but not willing to fight the traffic to get into the city, each week Westwood Patch will have a suggestion in or around Westwood of where to fill up. Finding the perfect balance of taste is difficult sometimes - especially when it comes to pizza. But ordering a pie at Wicked Fire Kissed Pizza at Legacy Place in Dedham makes it easy. Whether you're on a date - enough pizza for two and wine is under $40 - or with your family, Wicked has an atmosphere the suits the mood.  Unique combinations await as chefs combine scallops, a BLT and pizza for …

For the last two weeks, our new Bites Nearby feature has offered some insight into local eateries, not just in Westwood, but in nearby towns like Dedham and Norwood. Last week we put the spotlight on Dedham's Italian eatery, Buca di Beppo, and we kicked things off earlier this month with a look at Vellos. This week, we're taking a look at Victoria's Cucina Italiana on High Street. Head chef and Owner Uziel DeSouza grew up in Brazil, and brings an inherited talent to the restaurant with a strong passion for food. "I grew up rolling up pizza dough and making meatballs when I was young," DeSouza…

If you are looking to head out to eat this weekend, but not willing to fight the traffic to get into the city, each week Westwood Patch will have a suggestion in or around the Westwood area of where to fill up. Not all pasta is created equal - and nor are the portions. Whether you have a group of friends or family, or just you and your better half going on a date, Buca di Beppo offers up pages of Italian food mainstays. After opening in November, families have trekked to the old Vinny T's for chicken and eggplant parmesan, lobster ravioli and one must not forget about the cannoli. Cooks serve…

While Westwood may not be a promise land of culinary venues, residents certainly look to the town’s restaurants as favorite hot spots. In this new weekly feature, we’ll be offering some insight into local eateries, not just in Westwood, but in nearby towns like Dedham and Norwood. To kick things off, we’ll be focusing on Vellos on High Street.  Owner Victor Servello (after whom the restaurant is named), and front-house manager Aolibama “Bama” Siqueira are the main drivers of this local favorite. The restaurant, which is open six days a week, has called Westwood home since 2002, and serves …