A short wordpress menu generator with only top level links. No hierarchy.

flat_wp_nav_menu.php

    <?php
      $menu_name = 'sidebar_nav';
      $locations = get_nav_menu_locations();
      $menu = wp_get_nav_menu_object( $locations[ $menu_name ] );
      $menuitems = wp_get_nav_menu_items( $menu->term_id, array( 'order' => 'DESC' ) );
    ?>
 
    <ul class="side-menu">
        <?php
     
        foreach( $menuitems as $item ):
            // get page id from using menu item object id
            $id = get_post_meta( $item->ID, '_menu_item_object_id', true );
            // set up a page object to retrieve page data
            $page = get_page( $id );
            $link = get_page_link( $id );
        ?>
     
        <li class="item">
            <a href="<?php echo $link; ?>" class="title">
                <?php echo $page->post_title; ?>
            </a>
        </li>                           
    
    <?php endforeach; ?>
     
    </ul>