Local Grind

A couple of options are different from online menu compared to in store menu. Not a huge menu but still GF & Vegan options. Doggo friendly with water outside and a place to latch the lead. Food was good (although nearly needed a chainsaw to get through sourdough crust). Waffles looked delicious. Quite busy. Attached to The Watson which has beautiful first nations art (worth a look).

Really slow service, no one in front of me and it took 10 minutes to make 2 coffees. Personally don’t like the flavour of their beans and my coffee was a bit too hot (milk a bit overheated). Also ordered a muffin which was nice enough. Also not overly friendly service I found. Looking at other reviews the breakfast looks pretty good though?

Like a caterpillar transforming into a butterfly the Local Grind in Walkerville has recently thrown off its shackles, glammed up and changed its name. I have no idea why new owners Paul & Lewis came up with "Lonely Hearts" but like everything else about this place it just works. Those that haven't visited for a while will be struck by how large and bright the place looks now. I visited again today and watched in envy as my wife's zucchini salad emerged. A lot of thought and love has gone into this dish which presents with all stages of zucchini from flower through to fully grown fruit. I snuck a taste when my wife wasn't looking....The sweetness is perfectly balanced by a highlight of crumbled fetta and the mint and snap peas bring with them a wonderful freshness. For me I decided to take a risk and go straight for the steak tartare... put simply my previous three tartare experiences around the world have been below average. This one however broke that mold. The meat was top grade, finely chopped not minced and with just the right amount of horseradish, capers, creme and the most wonderfully crisp shoestring fries.... simply a delight to eat, I was left wanting more. The standout however dates back to my previous visit two days earlier. Their fettucini with pork, fennel and broad beans took my breath away. Expertly cooked I was surprised by the delicately thin pasta, pork and above all the fresh dill that tied everything together and brought a wonderful earthiness to the dish. So fortunate to have this place so close to home and open Friday and Saturday nights now too.

Such a shame that Local Grind has disappeared to be replaced by this rather sad (so it's well named: Lonely Hearts ), very pared down experience. A limited, disappointing menu that compares poorly with the earlier Local Grind. The decor is rather dismal (not stylishly minimalistic, Just flat, emptyand bare. In our visit, it was also almost 'bare' of diners: only 2 tables occupied, again so hugely different from the busy, buzzy Local Grind.At least the wonderful Julia is still meeting and greeting with her charm and enthusiasm. Perhaps summer will see things warm up here, bringing it back to life.