Pete's Trattoria — Restaurant in City of Watertown

Horrible would be an UNDERSTATEMENT for this establishment. My FH and I were visiting from Atlanta and stopped in at this restaurant (I use that label loosely). Not only was the only alcoholic beverage available wine and the waitress had zero suggestions, but the drinks offered were bottled. I felt like I was at subway. Oh no, subway has fountain drinks. The lobster bisque was pleasant but that's literally the ONLY positive about this experience. I ordered the blackened salmon with asparagus. The asparagus was so far overlooked, I can't help imagining someone had sent it back and it had been sitting under a heat lamp for about an hour. The salmon although black, did not have the flavor of a blackened salmon. The taste resembled what I imagine eating a couch cushion would taste like. Please don't get me started on the hard bread they bring out. My FH had to demonstrate lumberjack-like actions to eat it! Timber!!!! To add insult to injury, when I explained to the waitress how dissatisfied I was with my food, she proceeded to offer me chicken. I couldn't help wondering if it was because I was hard to please and needed to stick to something simple rather than settling for their horrible attempts at Italian food or if she was tryin to offend me being that she said it with a condescending tone. Things that make you go hmmmm. I would not in my right mind recommend this place to anyone that I actually like. This was definitely not a good start...

Driving through Watertown on up to Massena, we were advised to try Pete's Trattoria, and we were not disappointed. Later, checking the reviews online, many of them are very, very old, over two or three years old, so they should be ignored; Pete's has a new owner, fairly new, and they have really stepped up the quality of food and service for those who didn't like it in the past. Our party of three had all of their specials for the night, salmon picatta served over spinach, a butternut squash bisque and steamed clams for a starter; all were superb. We chose not to have any of their desserts as we were in a hurry to leave, but it was suggested by our server Tamara that their blueberry/goat cheese pie is very good, so next time, if we pass through Watertown again, and stop in to eat at Pete's Trattoria, and they are offering that same dessert, we'll definitely have some then,

We ate in the bar area, but not a problem, had excellent service from Tamara, who is charming and very accommodating, easy to please, and a delightful person to meet; by the way, she's the owner's wife, and was just filling in for the night it seems, but a truly professional individual, and an extra treat to have her as our wait-person.

We highly recommend eating at Pete's, and to ignore any of the bad press this restaurant...

Charming, somewhat quirky, old school Italian restaurant with attached lounge. Not a lot of space, but big servings, well made. My wife had the Pete's Salad and the Chicken Burrata and enjoyed them a lot. My Caesar Salad was very conventional, but the Osso Bucco was heart-stoppingly rich. Good wine list, full bar. Would definitely return on another occasion.

UPDATE (1 YEAR LATER)

Another time in town, so another visit to Pete's!

The Good Service was friendly, informative, and attentive. Lots of stuff made in the restaurant, with good ingredients. Generous portions. Wife raved over the steak; son raved over the osso bucco. Desserts were fantastic Broad menu, beer/wine list Walked out of there stuffed.

The Bad: Mixed drinks tended toward the sweet and bland. My lasagna was beautifully layered and full of fresh cheese and pasta. But it, too, was kind of bland. No meat, not enough sauce. (I was sort of expecting "Lasagna with Sausage" to be a lasagna with sausage in it, not a sausage placed alongside the sizeable slice of lasagna.

Overall, not a cheap meal, but filling and well-made. Definitely on the "visit...