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    Benchmark

    4.5 (1.9k reviews)
    ModerateNew American
    Closed 11:30 am - 3:00 pm, 4:00 PM - 8:00 PM

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    BENCHMARK ATMOSPHERE

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    Hipster
    Casual
    Trendy
    Intimate

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    Reviews With Photos - Benchmark

    Miso salmon with purple potatoes puree
    T W.

    Ate dinner there. Food was very good with unique flavor pairings. Started with the truffle arancini which are balls of risotto deep fried. They were probably the least favorite thing we had. The center was a bit gooey but the accompanying sauce was excellent. We had the cabbage which was very good - a-little on the spicy side but that was good for us The salmon had a miso marinade which was delicious- very flavorful and moist. Finally ended with the butter cake which was fantastic . Reminded us of the old Bacardi rum cake recipe. Waiter was very good and attentive despite the fact i think he was the only waiter working ONE NOTE : they don't have a full liquor license but they have sake was infused with the spirit you wanted. So i had an old fashioned and surprisingly it tasted like an old fashioned after the ice had melted a little in the glass. The acohol content was only 24% so if you wanted a stiff drink you were out of luck but the prices for the drinks seemed reasonable

    Outdoor seating
    Akane T.

    Such a cute little restaurant in the heart of dt Santa Ana. Luckily the weather was in our favor today during lunch time and it was so nice to sit outside. Tables were under a canopy and there was a nice breeze. Service was good, not super crowded and no wait! Win win! Most importantly, the food was really good! The French toast looked like it was going to be sweet but it was perfect! Not overly saturated with the dulce le leche or the syrup. Highly recommend! My daughter liked the chicken sandwich, had a little Asian twist with the pickled carrots. The artichoke dip was good but it tasted more like a soup but the pretzel sticks were soft. The chicken zinga was good too but it was basically the inside of an enchilada in a cast iron dish. All in all, great experience and food. Def would go again and would recommend!

    Terrence S.

    We came for lunch and the environment is nice outside, we were seated outdoors. I remember the sun could be an issue, a lot of the areas aren't shaded. It seems like this spot is super popular for brunch drinks. Had the birria taco and this one was probably my favorite of the dishes tha we ordered. There is a crispy shell, two different sauces, and condiments to add with it. There is a lot of different textures and the meat was juicy. The smoked salmon flatbread wasn't as good, it looks very colorful and pretty, but I didnt think the flavors went together very well. I like the smokiness but the salmon wasn't umami enough to justify mixing in caviar and avocado and arugula that would normally pair well with beef. Finally, had the chicken tinga skillet, which had flavor in the sauce, but the chicken itself was just ok.

    Stephanie G.

    Such a great meal at Benchmark! Joseph was so kind and accommodating--he made us feel right at home and took amazing care of us. Our favorites were the burger (so juicy!), the artichoke fondue (a must-order), and the butter cake, which was the perfect sweet ending. Everything was delicious, and the service made the experience even better.

    birthday dessert
    Kyra L.

    We LOVED this restaurant for brunch. Here's a few notes: - Parking was pretty difficult, they have a small lot behind the restaurant but you'll have to park on the street otherwise - The entire restaurant is primarily outdoors/patio vibes. I loved it though and it's pretty covered so even if you do go for brunch the entire patio is shady which prevents the sun from burning you - the staff and our waitress were so nice and patient. they'll take the time to go over the menu with you even during a busy brunch rush - food was SO GOOD. I ate the furai chicken and thankfully they refill the chips once you run out I'm pretty sure this place is dog friendly, BUT i didn't bring my doggo this time around.

    Mushroom pasta
    Terry H.

    Lovely restaurant with excellent service and terrific food. Seating is mostly outdoors, nestled off of a moderately busy street with little noise. The vibe of this place is eclectic, with creative drink selections and a carefully curated menu. Our server, Blake, was helpful describing the main dishes and steered us to two very good main dishes. We will be returning.

    MVP Mitchell taking care of our group! A glimpse into the banquet room as well.
    Lucas B.

    I can't speak highly enough of our experience here. We had a group of 30 rent out their separated banquet room for a graduation lunch. The processes of selecting a fixed menu, decor and setup were seamless. We were able to visit ahead of time and were walked through all of our options. Day of, our guests had a great time and raved about the food! (Burgers, tacos, salads, fries) - you can't go wrong with any of the options! A VERY special shoutout to MITCHELL, who was our go-to staff member during our lunch. He took care of all of us and was practically part of the family by the end of the meal! To this day, people in the group talk about Mitchell. Rockstar - give that man a raise or promotion or something!

    Allison M.

    We had difficulty with the validation for parking. Their website doesn't mention that you should not pay for parking before you give the server your license plate number. It just says to give the server your license plate number. The parking lot also states that you have to pay for parking when you first park. We didn't want a ticket or to get our car towed so we paid. No reimbursement for us. We ordered the miso salmon, burger, arancini, and pear tart. The plating of the food was pretty. The salmon itself was good but the sweet potato purée was so gingery. My fiancé has a mild allergy to ginger and ginger was not mentioned in the ingredients even though the whole purée only tasted of ginger and not sweet potato. Maybe we should have told them about the allergy and shouldn't have assumed that it would be a ginger puree instead of sweet potato. The burger was extra well done with a lot of burnt char and tasted super burnt. The arancini and the pear tart were tasty and light, but the server didn't bring us a knife to cut the tart. It was a struggle cutting the tart with a spoon. The best food of the night was those parmesan fries. It had great crunch, texture, and flavor especially with the garlic aioli. It was kinda difficult getting a server's attention because they seemed to be crowding and talking to each other near the bar. The place had a lot of flies, which I guess can be expected for an outdoor restaurant. We felt like we were swatting at flies more than eating the food. Overall, the place had cute lights, decoration, and nature aspect. Very unsure if we will come back.

    Shannon Z.

    Came for dinner on a Friday - I love the outdoor patio area it's so cute, love the decor (it's a shaded area). The service here is really good too, we had two servers check in on us throughout our meal. My favorite dish was the pasta alla vodka - it was perfectly delicious and creamy with great texture of the pasta. Also enjoyed the roasted citrus chicken, although it was a a bit dry. For appetizers, I highly recommend the artichoke fondue, which came with soft warm pretzel bread.

    Nicole D.

    Always a great spot in Santa Ana! Feel like this place always hits the brunch feels! Outdoor seating when the weather is nice is perfect! They were a little busy this past Sunday but our server was attentive and apologized for any food delays! By far some of the best French toast I've ever had! Gotta say the Kimchi Fried rice was also a fave.

    Lavender Haze Mocktail and Benchmark Bloody Mary
    Crystal H.

    Cute, ambiguous corner, with greenery and peaceful vibes. Very much enjoyed the nature aspect of the interior design and it made a great photo opportunity for me and my friend. Service went well, checked in here and there, made sure we got our order. We tried three dishes and two drinks LAVENDER HAZE (Mocktail Version) - 3/5, very pretty, but tastes a bit watered down. Someone try the alcoholic version and let me know what it's like haha. BENCHMARK BLOODY MARY: 5/5 my friend liked it and it was spicy! ENCHILIDA SUIZAS, lobster + shrimp filling, corn, poblano cream sauce, pickled red onion, cilantro, queso fresco, I give 5/5, I enjoyed the combination of the sauce and enchiladas, it wasn't overcooked and had a great refreshing savory flavor. Plated very nicely, visually appealing. BULGOGI KIMCHI FRIED RICE, fried eggs, gochujang, green onion furikake, pickled radish, cilantro, I give 4/5, overall I enjoyed this plate, but I do feel the beef could have been slightly stronger in terms of flavor? The rice was holding all the spices and taste. DULCE DE LECHE FRENCH TOAST, crème fraîche chantilly, brûléed banana, chocolate sauce, maldon salt, I would give 5/5, presentation was beautiful, taste wise I really enjoyed it, had a very good balance of sweetness and not too strong. I know my ratings are less than a 5 in general, but I really felt the whole experience was pleasant, enjoyable, good food and good vibes, therefore 5 out of 5

    Happy hour- Brussels, fries, flatbread
    Calli Y.

    So parking is a pain in the butt! Be careful where you park bc I got a citation! What can you do. We came for happy hour today and the Brussel sprouts were back on the menu and were delicious! The fritto Misto was also good. I just didn't realize everything I got was fried. A bit much. The fries we dipped in the extra sauces. Servers were attentive and we enjoyed it! SYOY!

    Shrimp pasta and steak
    Shannan E.

    We came here for OC Restaurant Week and had such a lovely experience! The restaurant ambiance is cozy and romantic with the tree canopy and string lights. We were initially disappointed to find out that the cocktails here are sake based, but the guava cocktail was delicious. Everything we ordered was delicious. The tuna appetizer was fresh and citrusy, the steak and shrimp pasta dishes were well balanced and seasoned. We loved both. The pecan cake was decadent and delicious. Our server Mark was very helpful and attentive and provided great service. We will be back!

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    20 hours ago

    Amazing French toast the service is excellent the burger was also amazing incredible atmosphere

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    Page 1 of 47

    Benchmark Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Benchmark

    Sorry for bothering you guys just curious if u guys took cash still?

    Yes we do!

    Is the main menu available during brunch hours?

    No you can only order from the brunch menu

    How much is corkage?

    $25

    Do the do bottomless mimosas?

    We are currently not offering bottomless mimosas, but we do sell champagne by the bottle.

    Does this place have mocktails and are HH hours still 4-6 on Fridays? Thanks!

    HI Nikole, we can always make you a mocktail version of our regular drinks. And yes, we are still serving happy hour every Wed-Fri from 4-6pm! We hope to see you soon!

    How is parking?

    Plenty of parking in a lot about a block away. The restaurant validates. Take a photo of your license plate, then give to wait staff.

    Are you dog-friendly?

    Benchmark has a corner area, that's pretty casual high top seating, if you decide to bring your pet. But it not a table. More like a bar top.

    Do they have a baby changing table in the men's restroom so I can bring my toddler?

    No baby changing tables

    Do they have heaters on the patio?

    Yes. There are multiple heaters throughout the two patios.

    Is there a corkage fee?

    $25

    Do they have round tables that can seat party of 10?

    I have never seen any round tables at Benchmark. Call them... they have a separate small building where they do private events. Maybe they can setup something for you in this additional space.

    Is there Happy Hour?

    I don't think so, I don't recall seeing it on their menu.

    Are kids allowed? Do you have to pay extra for a private table for 12?

    If it's in a separate room I think you do!

    How do i add myself on the waitlist for a table?

    Call their number

    Is the private dining room an extra charge?

    Yes

    Outside desserts are allow? (Birthday cake)

    Yes they are, but there is a $2 fee per person

    Are staff wearing masks?

    I believe so Bench is just down the street...so I'll double up after dog walk

    I know with Covid some things have changed... Do they still offer bottomless mimosos on Saturdays and Sundays?

    It's 4 glasses not bottomless and I believe it lasts until 3. But the glasses are large!!

    Do they have bottomless mimosas on Sunday?

    They did when I was there a few months ago.

    Can I reserve the inside for a private baptism 20 guests on 5/16?

    They do have a covered area separate from main area, when I was there, a party was going on. Benchmark is an outdoor restaurant, not much, if any, indoor seating (not due to Covid)

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    Came early to beat the crowd and had virtually no wait! The atmosphere here is super unique with…read morevery dark with rich gem tones...makes you feel like you're stepping into an elaborate escape room set. Our server, Lee, was amazingly friendly and helpful throughout the night. - Salmon Cortada (Must get): Absolute favorite dish. It comes with two pieces featuring glistening, incredibly soft salmon over bread with subtle hints of sweetness and lemon. A remarkably complex and delicious bite. - Octopus (Second Favorite): Layered over a bright green sauce with a touch of chili. Perfectly cooked, super tender, and packed with flavor. - Anchovies: A fresh, oily, and satisfying appetizer to start the meal. - Braised Mushroom: Cool presentation with a poached egg in the center. Very tasty, though a fairly familiar flavor profile. - Elote: Tasted a bit more like a basic corn salsa than classic elote. Not my favorite. - Bread & Ham Butter: Sounded interesting. Personally wouldn't order this again, as I prefer a light whipped butter on rich, buttery bread over sourdough. - Basque Cheesecake: A solid dessert to end on. Tasty, not overly sweet, and the cheese flavor wasn't too overpowering. Parking in the back is quite tight with only about 5-6 spaces. There is also some street parking too.

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    Momonoki

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    VIBES: It's cute, and the service was good…read more FOOD: If you are going to come here, definitely come here for the udon. The appetizers? They were okay. Parmesan fries: 3/5 it felt like it was frozen? Not fresh? Crudo: 3/5 fresh, but the flavors weren't doing it for me? Kimchi ball: 3/5 Vongole: 4.5/5 buttery and good amount of seafood on it. Miso carbonara: 4/5 creamy and rich

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    Came here to celebrate a birthday, and it was such a great experience. It's tapas style dining, so…read moreit's perfect for sharing a variety of dishes with the table. The atmosphere is beautiful, it feels like you're dining in a cozy house/patio. Our server was incredibly friendly, attentive, and welcoming, which made the meal even more enjoyable. Guava Brava - Such a refreshing and delicious cocktail. I would definitely order this again. Almejas al Vapor Picantes - The avocado clam sauce was incredible, especially paired with the focaccia bread for dipping. Pulpo al Guajillo - One of my favorite dishes of the night. Perfectly cooked and full of flavor. Empanadas - Really good! We all loved these. Salbute Pato Ahumado - Tasty, but it wasn't one of my favorites compared to the other dishes. Poc Chuc - I'd probably skip this next time. The flavor was good, but the meat wasn't as tender as I expected and was a bit tough to chew. Beignets - So delicious! They come with chocolate and caramel dipping sauces, and they were the perfect way to end the meal. Our server even brought us a side of vanilla ice cream to enjoy with them, which turned out to be an amazing combination. Overall, we had a wonderful birthday dinner here. Between the cozy atmosphere, excellent service, and standout dishes, I'd definitely come back to try more of the menu.

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    The Peel

    The Peel

    4.2
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    Located inside Fera Anaheim, a DoubleTree by Hilton, this bar/lounge was honestly one of the main…read morereasons we decided to book our stay there. The space is BEAUTIFUL, both during the day and at night. When we checked in on Friday evening they even had live music, but unfortunately I was feeling a little sick so I skipped it and told myself I'd redeem the experience the next day before heading to Disneyland. And I'm glad I did. In the daytime, the patio area is gorgeous--you can really appreciate the firepit seating and the little lake with koi fish outside. Such a relaxing vibe. We came by around 4PM to pregame before Disney and the bar was pretty busy. Huge shoutout to Arvey, the bartender who took care of us during our visit. Not only was the service exceptional, but he genuinely made some of the best cocktails we've had in a while. Sitting at the bar and watching him make the drinks was honestly part of the experience itself. At first we were trying to customize and tweak our drinks because we usually stay in our comfort zone, but after talking with him and learning more about the ingredients in The Peel's specialty cocktails, we decided to trust the process a little more. We ordered the Dragonfly and Playing With Fire, and both were amazing--beautiful presentation, really balanced flavors, sweet and sour in the best way. We're usually not big foam cocktail people either, but this visit might've changed our minds a little. Also, Playing With Fire came with a fun little presentation moment which made it even better. Honestly, I was really impressed with my experience here. I even came back for another drink at breakfast before checking out of the hotel lol. The dining area also looked beautiful and the food coming out to other tables looked really good too. Definitely looking forward to coming back anytime I'm around the Anaheim area again.

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    On Saturday evening, around 10:00 p.m., my wife, son, and I were looking for a place to enjoy a…read morelate dinner. My son called Culinary Dropout and spoke with Olivia, the hostess, to see if the kitchen was still serving. Olivia responded with genuine warmth and kindness, assuring us that the kitchen was still open and that they would be happy to welcome us. From the moment we arrived, Olivia's hospitality set the tone for an exceptional evening. She greeted us with a warm smile, made us feel genuinely welcome, and promptly seated us. Shortly after, our server, Layla, introduced herself. Despite the late hour, she was energetic, engaging, and had an infectious enthusiasm that elevated the entire dining experience. She expertly recommended several cocktails, along with a glass of wine, and her knowledge of both the bar program and the menu was impressive. Her recommendations for appetizers and entrées were spot on. We decided on the Wagyu Pigs in a Blanket, BBQ Nachos, and the Spicy Rigatoni. Every dish was beautifully prepared, flavorful, and exceeded our expectations. Another team member, Emanuel, delivered one of our dishes and was equally personable and engaging. He took the time to share information about the restaurant, further demonstrating the outstanding level of hospitality displayed by the entire team. Manager Dave also stopped by our table to check on our experience. We shared with him that this was, without question, one of the best dining experiences we've had in Orange County in quite some time. Great food certainly matters, but it was the exceptional service, genuine hospitality, and positive energy of the staff that made the evening truly memorable. A sincere thank you to Layla, Olivia, Emanuel, Dave, and the entire Culinary Dropout team for creating such a first-class dining experience. We look forward to returning soon and will gladly recommend your restaurant to family and friends.

    Thank you so much to the crew that took care of us last Tuesday! After doing some crafts at the…read morenearby art studio, my party of 12 and I walked over at 9pm, hoping that it wasn't too unreasonable. Despite the late hour and the inconveniences of a large party, the staff there were accommodating and beyond hospitable. Every dish that came out was impeccable, and we all had the best time. They even gifted me an extra dessert (in addition to the one we picked out) for my birthday! We were all so impressed with our experience, and I already can't wait to go back for date nights! (i'm still dreaming about that monkey bread lol)

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    Benchmark - newamerican - Updated August 2026

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