15 Walnut Local Bistro - South Hamilton

This restaurant is a hidden gem in our neighborhood - it's cozy, inviting, with delicious food and excellent service. We are thrilled that they have brought back their sushi menu, especially the amazing 15 Walnut roll!

We have visited this restaurant about 4 or 5 times before and typically enjoyed the food. However, this time it was just okay. The menu had a lot of enticing options, making it difficult to choose. The fried artichokes had a thick batter and were not very crispy. On the other hand, the beet salad was excellent. Unfortunately, the wood fired items were not actually wood fired because the hood was not working. We only realized this after receiving our food and wish our server had informed us. As a result, dishes that should have been roasted and caramelized were soft and lacked flavor. The chicken was also overcooked from being sous vide for too long, resulting in a gummy texture. While this visit was not terrible, we had higher expectations based on the menu and our previous experiences. On a positive note, our drinks were delicious!

We hadn't been to 15 Walnut in about a year and a half because we were disappointed the last time we visited (mostly due to the atmosphere and service rather than the food). While the atmosphere and service still aren't particularly welcoming (they're not bad, just mediocre), the food more than made up for it. We started with the tapas board, which was very good. All three of us were pleased with our main courses (scallops, steak tips, and duck). The chocolate molten cake we shared was delicious. The main dishes may be a bit pricey, but you can enjoy a glass of wine for $7.

We went on a Sunday evening, so a lot more quiet than on a Saturday and Friday night. I made reservations, but did not need them. The bread basket had warm and yummy rolls. My husband ordered the scallop dish (kale and risotto) recommended by the waitress and he loved it. My soon to be daughter in law ordered the large size lobster macaroni and cheese and said it was very tasty, but also very rich a lot of food to take home. My son ordered the BBQ (Brussel sprouts). Also very good. I ordered the duck breast, (wild rice/figs and Brussel sprouts). Prepared nicely. The restaurant has an open feel. You can see into the kitchen. Nice bar. The sign out front had broken, so it only says '15 Wa ' if you are looking for it.

Ordered app of eggplant rollatini which was unusually prepared but a nice change of pace. Main course of steak tips was a disappointment as they were tough and chewy. Dinner companion ordered scallops and found them to be good but accompaniments were just so so. Bread and oil were the star of the show as well as an excellent cup of fresh brewed coffee. Tried lava cake for dessert and found it to be more like a brownie but definitely a chocolate craving satisfied! Surrounding parties were somewhat loud conversationalists but environment became more enjoyable once they finished their meal. 15 Walnut has the potential to be a neighborhood favorite.