The Middle — Restaurant in Watertown

Re: owner's response, be sure to read to the end where they accuse me of being "fabricated and vindictive" simply because I didn't mention anything positive. But in fact, this isn't true. I said that the service person was great. I know nothing about the owners or their restaurant and have no reason to be "vindictive" or fabricate a review. Also "bold flavors" is a generous way to describe over-seasoning and over-saucing everything. And, they misunderstood the assignment re: water. Nowhere did I say I wanted plastic water bottles. Quite the opposite. If you're so proud of your filtered water (which isn't a novel offering), offer it to everyone and work it into the price of meals vs have another "thing" to pass out to every table and add on to the check. The selfie background is cool for 55+ yr olds, I guess? P.S. the meat hanging contraption thing is gimmicky.

I lowered my review due to their response. Hard pass.

---- Original It's not my personal taste, but I can see it appealing to others. In terms of the food, everything, from drinks to dessert, was excessive — too much sugar, sauce, dressing, and even the portion sizes were over the top. The server (who was the best part of the meal) even described all of the plates from appetizers to entrees as being really big. My friend and I shared the shishito peppers, a burger and a kale salad. The salad was so drenched in cheese and dressing that I couldn’t even manage two bites. The shishito peppers would have been good if it weren’t for the inedibly spicy sauce (we knew it said spicy, but this was inedible). Everything was too much. And with portions that large, I doubt the quality of the ingredients is particularly good.

They also have this weird thing where you have to pay extra to have good water with your meal. An extra $2 per person. It would make more sense to just work that into the overall meal prices and provide that to everyone, without it being an add-on…. It comes across as being cheap and it added another thing to the number of menus we were handed and the complexity of ordering.

Otherwise, the atmosphere is loud with garish decor and cheap art. The choice to display portraits of Anthony Bourdain feels out of place and a bit presumptuous. It comes across as an attempt to borrow his credibility… without having earned it. There's also a strange smell, like a strong cleaning product. The bathroom was over-the-top and already dated, with a wall of faux flowers and an overwhelming amount of pink.

Overall, the place...

I recently had the pleasure of dining at The Middle, a new gem in Watertown, and I must say, it was an exceptional experience from start to finish. The restaurant boasts a warm and inviting atmosphere, perfect for any occasion, whether it's a casual meal or a special night out.

The highlight of my visit was undoubtedly the Whipped Feta Burger. The burger was an absolute delight, masterfully crafted with a juicy patty cooked to perfection. The addition of whipped feta added a creamy, tangy twist that elevated the dish to new heights. The flavor combination was exquisite, with the feta providing a perfect balance to the rich, savory flavors of the burger. Every bite was a burst of deliciousness, leaving me thoroughly impressed and eager for more.

The service at The Middle was equally commendable. The staff were attentive, friendly, and knowledgeable about the menu. They made sure that every aspect of our dining experience was enjoyable, from recommending dishes to ensuring our glasses were never empty. It's clear that the team at The Middle takes great pride in delivering top-notch customer service, making guests feel welcomed and valued.

In addition to the fantastic food and service, The Middle also offers a well-curated menu with a variety of options to suit different tastes. Whether you're a foodie looking to try something new or simply in the mood for a classic dish with a twist, this place has something for everyone.

Overall, The Middle is a must-visit for anyone in Watertown or the surrounding area. The Whipped Feta Burger alone is worth the trip, but the excellent service and inviting ambiance make it a truly standout dining experience. I highly recommend The Middle and look forward to...

Heard good things about the Middle, I found it to be just OK. The food was alright. We started with the calamari. The breading was different. There was sauce served with it, but there wasn't enough to eat with the calamari. We then had the burger, salmon and mac and cheese. The burger was anything different than what you could buy and grill at home. And after ordering the burger with cheese the waitress said cheese came on the burger (not listed on the menu) so the burger showed up with no cheese. The salmon was ok. And the mac and cheese came out extremely hot, while the buttermilk fried tenders were cold. The cheese flavor had a hard time over powering the excessive breadcrumbs. As for the atmosphere, it's unique. Very modern. The bathrooms are very different. The women's room has a toliet seat painted with birds and a mural made of flowers. The men's room I can't even begin to describe the painting on the toliet and a painted mural on a wall. The service was OK. We only saw the waitress a few times and when asked for a refill on the soft drinks it took quite a long time, even with only few tables occupied. Granted they did open about a month ago, but the food quality just wasn't there for...