Sometimes, “Kid Friendly Travel Adventures” doesn’t always involve the kids. Thanks to the grandparents my wife and I took a much-needed weekend escape to upstate New York, enjoying a rare evening out together. One of the highlights of our getaway was a spontaneous dinner at Piccolo Trattoria in Leeds, a restaurant with a local reputation for delicious Italian fare.

 • Ambience: Piccolo Trattoria offers a classy, elegant setting with a spacious, open-concept design, perfect for both romantic dinners and family gatherings.

• Service: Friendly staff, but the busy dining room resulted in slow service and less attentiveness than expected.

• Food: Delicious Italian dishes with generous portions; highlights included the fried stuffed gnocchi, Veal Francese, and Vitello Saltimbocca.

• Family-Friendly: Welcoming to families with children, while maintaining an atmosphere suitable for adults and special occasions.

• Overall Experience: A great spot for quality Italian food despite some service delays during peak hours. Would recommend but advise reservations for busy times.

Ambience and Decor

Piccolo Trattoria’s new location, having relocated from a base in Catskill, NY, is stunning. The restaurant is spacious, with an open-concept design that features multiple dining areas. There’s a large bar with high-top tables, a classic dining room, and private spaces perfect for gatherings. The decor is both classy and elegant, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere.

This combination of style and coziness made it clear that Piccolo Trattoria caters to a variety of diners—from families to couples celebrating special occasions.

Service and Wait Time

When we arrived, the dining room was packed, and we waited around 10 minutes before being greeted by the hostess. Initially, we were told that seating might not be available without a reservation, but a last-minute cancellation opened up a table for us.

Unfortunately, our table was in an area near the restrooms and adjacent to an unoccupied private dining room. This placement might not have been a big deal if not for the structural issue: the flooring in this section flexed as people walked by, causing noticeable movement throughout our meal.

The restaurant’s busy-ness also impacted service. It took a while for our orders to be taken, and we waited over 30 minutes for our food to arrive. In total, we spent nearly two hours at the restaurant from arrival to departure, largely due to the extended wait times.

Food and Pricing

The highlight of our experience was undoubtedly the food. We started with the fried stuffed gnocchi, a standout appetizer. The gnocchi were perfectly crispy on the outside, soft and rich on the inside, and served with vodka and ranch dipping sauces. Be warned—they’re served fresh out of the fryer, so they’re piping hot!

For our mains, my wife ordered the Veal Francese, while I opted for the Vitello Saltimbocca. Both dishes were flavorful and satisfying. Each meal came with spaghetti in marinara sauce, though we appreciated the option to switch to another sauce like garlic and olive oil or the sauce accompanying the entrée.

The portion sizes were generous—we left full and even boxed up leftovers, which we sadly forgot to take home. Overall, the pricing felt appropriate for the quality and amount of food served.

Service and Attentiveness

While our waitress was friendly and warm, the high volume of diners seemed to stretch the staff thin. For example, my water glass remained empty for much of the meal and wasn’t refilled until near the end. The overall pace of service was slower than we would have liked, though the friendliness of the staff helped offset this.

Family-Friendliness

Even though we were on a child-free getaway, it was easy to see that Piccolo Trattoria welcomes families. The dining room was filled with kids of various ages, from toddlers to elementary schoolers, enjoying meals with their families.

The restaurant strikes a nice balance between being an elegant spot for date nights or celebrations and a family-friendly establishment. We’d happily bring our kids here in the future, knowing they’d enjoy both the food and the inviting atmosphere.

Final Thoughts

Piccolo Trattoria offers a delicious dining experience in a beautiful setting. While the busy atmosphere during our visit affected the speed of service and table placement, the quality of the food and the charm of the space made up for it.

This restaurant is a great choice for a range of occasions, whether you’re celebrating a special event or simply looking for a satisfying meal out.