15 Walnut Temporarily Closing to Undertake Expansion

The restaurant has gone through a few name changes in recent years, but since October 2009 under chef and manager Sam Hunt, the ownership has found a good concept it is sticking with.

Building on the restaurant's popularity, 15 Walnut will be closed beginning this Sunday through March 9 for a major expansion.

The restaurant will be taking over the space in the Shoppes at Hamilton Crossing formerly occupied by , which has moved next door, allowing for an additional 40 seats and a new function room.

The bar will also be expanded from a seating capacity of 15 to 30 seats.

"It gives us more space to hold functions and private events without closing down the whole restaurant," Hunt said.

The decor, theme and menu will remain unchanged.

"15 Walnut is staying the same," Hunt said. "We've got a good thing and it's been well received, so we're expanding on it."

Formerly the chef and general manager at West Side Lounge in Cambridge, Hunt said he enjoys the slower pace and more family-friendly hours of working in Hamilton.

It also adds a new source of food for the chef from surrounding farms.

"It will be the same hand crafted foods, cocktails and live music people have come to expect," Hunt said.