Walnut Grill Ballantyne — Restaurant in Charlotte

TBH This review is a bit long but please read it. As it encompasses our three visits to the Walnut Grill going back to last year.

On two previous visits, excellent both times. The second time was for their Thanksgiving meal deal. My wife who is a vegetarian was concerned about options for her, but they were able to accommodate her needs so she would still have a meal to enjoy on Thanksgiving. My daughter also had a request and they were able to accommodate her as well. Since I am a bourbon drinker . I went for their signature smoked old fashioned. Very tasty. Highly recommended if you like your bourbon old school, and an old fashioned is a great drink.

One thing that I will say is reservations are highly recommended.

EDIT 03/12/2024

I got a coupon in the mail for a discount from Walnut Grille. Since we had been there before and it was pretty good we decided to go ahead and use it.

We went there on a Saturday night a week ago and it was absolutely a horrible experience. I'm not sure exactly what is happening over there but it took forever for a server to get over to get us started with drinks.

Then we ordered our appetizer when the server brought the drinks over to us. The drink order took a long time too.

While we again waited endlessly for our appetizers The server came over to our table and told us that they were having some difficulties in the kitchen and things were coming out slowly.That was an understatement.

When (some) of our food finally did come out it came out in bits and dribbles. One of the things included in my order was a bowl of French onion soup, there was no spoon brought out with the soup so I had no way to eat it. My loaded baked potato was actually an unloaded baked potato and I didn't even have butter to put on it. My steak while cooked just the way I asked for it was lukewarm and literally was cold by the time I was able to finish it.

Now, regarding the missing spoon. I asked three different employees if I could please get a spoon One of them I'm fairly sure was the floor manager for the restaurant side as she was going around and talking to all the employees and even she did not bring me a spoon.

Finally I went over to the hostess to explain the situation and she finally got me a spoon . By that time the spoon really didn't matter because the soup had grown cold anyways.

My daughter ordered a pasta dish and it was relatively tasty but again her side did not come out with her order. My wife is a vegetarian and ordered three appetizers to make up her meal only one came out. We asked multiple times to any employee who happened to walk by where were the rest of our meal items and when could we expect them to come out. The answer we received was the same one. "We are having problems in the kitchen". The employees and servers were seldom seen. My guess is that they were avoiding customers to avoid listening to complaints

My wife got tired of waiting so we told the server to forget the rest of our meal. Our server told us they had new owners and new managers and that everyone had recently gone through training. I told the server that whatever the training was they were doing it was a fail in every area and they had a lot more work to do.

So, we used to like this restaurant but I don't know now. I hope they get it together. The experience was so bad that I told my wife I felt like I should sit outside and warn everybody who gets out to go in.

I realize that sometimes there are changes in personnel at a restaurant that can affect the business overall.

I honestly feel like they should have told customers right when they came in they were having a few difficulties in the kitchen tonight so things are coming out slower than normal. Please bear with us during this time. Of course if they were to be honest and tell you, I believe many people would just turn around and go somewhere else. But honesty is always the best policy. By not being honest they will...

Was driving by on Monday to check out if they had any updates posted on the door, and I was greeted by a friendly employee who said "come on in, we are open", so I parked my car and decided to give them a shot for lunch during their "soft opening".

First Impressions When I approached the hostess stand, I was immediately greeted with a smile and a "we are happy you are here", which is a small thing, but something you don't get in most restaurants these days, as the hostess stand at many places seems to have turned into a social area where employees gather to chat and text, but not here, as the hostess was professional and seemed to not only enjoy her job, but also was genuinely happy that i was there.

Food Fries were hot and crispy Nashville hot chicken sandwich had nice spice level with a little bit of sweet from the honey Alcohol license will be coming later this week and they plan to have plenty of all day specials, mimosa and Bloody Mary specials on Sundays and a solid draft beer selection with plenty of representation from local breweries.

Atmosphere Completely revamped the interior vs the previous incarnation and the result is nothing short of spectacular. Plenty of booth seating vs cramped tables, huge bar area with tons of seating and a number of tv's for sports viewing, and an incredible heated enclosed outdoor dining area complete with a fireplace.

Service Service wise, it was Southern hospitality at its finest, with an emphasis on highly personable and welcoming service with a genuine smile. Also, my server Michelle had a sense of urgency in terms of getting me my food during lunch, which is always nice given most people have a set window for lunch, but at no time did i feel rushed, which is also nice, so a win on both counts there.

In a restaurant world where mediocrity reigns and customer service is rare, Michelle was amazing, very personable, offered recommendations, kept the water filled and did it all with a smile, very well done. Also, the GM stopped by to check on things and was very welcoming and emphasized the fact that they wanted to be a place where all can feel welcomed showered in genuine southern hospitality.

Overall Ballantyne we have a winner, as this place has the potential to be a sleeper pick for 2023 new restaurant of the year here in the area, as the food, service, atmosphere and hospitality were all top notch and indicative of the training and commitment to excellence, as they are still in "soft opening" phase, but you would never know it by how fine tuned and on point everything was from start to finish. I will definitely be back to try out the dinner and drink offerings once they officially open, but until that time, all I have to say is... Very well done Walnut Grill,...

I recently had the pleasure of dining at The Walnut, and I can confidently say that it was a truly delightful experience. I would like to express my utmost appreciation for Rozzy, our server, whose exceptional service made the evening truly memorable.

From the moment we walked in, Rozzy greeted us with a warm and genuine smile, instantly making us feel welcomed and comfortable. Throughout the evening, her attentiveness and impeccable service were evident, as she effortlessly anticipated our needs and ensured that every aspect of our dining experience was flawless.

Rozzy's knowledge of the menu was remarkable. She took the time to patiently explain the dishes, highlighting the unique flavors and offering valuable recommendations. Her expertise and passion for the culinary offerings were evident in every suggestion she made, further enhancing our dining experience.

What impressed me the most was Rozzy's genuine care and attention to detail. She checked on us regularly, making sure we were satisfied with our meals and promptly addressing any requests or concerns we had. Her friendly and accommodating nature created a warm and inviting atmosphere that made us feel like valued guests.

Beyond her exceptional service, Rozzy's positive attitude and engaging personality truly stood out. She engaged in delightful conversations, adding a personal touch to our dining experience. Her enthusiasm for her work was infectious, creating a joyful and memorable ambiance throughout the evening.

I must also commend Rozzy's seamless coordination with the kitchen and the rest of the staff. The entire dining experience was a well-choreographed symphony, and Rozzy played a vital role in ensuring that everything flowed smoothly.

In conclusion, I highly recommend The Walnut to anyone seeking an exceptional dining experience. The outstanding service provided by Rozzy truly made our evening unforgettable. Her professionalism, attentiveness, and genuine care for her guests are a testament to her remarkable abilities as a server.

The Walnut deserves five stars for its outstanding cuisine and impeccable service, with special recognition to Rozzy for going above and beyond to create a truly memorable...