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Our second visit, and it did not disappoint! The views, staff, atmosphere, and food were all 10/10. Everything we ordered was phenomenal. We chose to sit inside because it was an especially warm day and the patio isn't covered, but we still had an amazing view.
I absolutely adore this little spot and make it a point to come whenever I'm in the area. Last time I came I sat at the bar and enjoyed the hustle and bustle of the evening crowd over my martinis. Best time to come is right before sunset
Like the majority of visitors, we took a pit stop at The Bench mid 17-Mile Drive (bonus: they deduct the entry fee off your bill!) We were given the option of a communal fire pit or a private table and opted for the latter - the wait was around 30 minutes, which I think was well worth it for own space. We just perused the visitor center while we waited and then headed over once we got the text. They have varying options for lunch and dinner. For lunch, we were told the Korean brisket sandwich is "by far the best", second to the fried chicken sandwich. While the Korean brisket sandwich was surprisingly flavorful, it seemed to just be a really flavorful sandwich rather than "Korean" inspired. It contained marinated brisket, shredded carrot, cilantro, and bell pepper in a baguette which was somewhat reminiscent of a banh mi; and it came with a side of "Togarashi" fries, a Japanese spice that sneaks up on you the more you eat. The service was a bit underwhelming as we were left without napkins/silverware until we managed to flag down our waiter mid-meal (which we found ourselves having to do a second time to get the bill), but the view was nice and the food was solid.
My cousin recommended this place for brunch during our 17-mile drive, and she was right--it was the perfect stop! The views alone are worth the visit. The scenery is beautiful, and we enjoyed taking it all in while having brunch. Service was friendly, attentive, and the staff was very knowledgeable about the menu. The food was delicious! We ordered: Humboldt Fog & Beet - Fresh, light, and refreshing. Cauliflower Shawarma Sandwich - Packed with veggies with a nice tangy flavor and great texture. The only miss for me was the Bloody Mary--it just wasn't quite what I was hoping for. Overall, this place is definitely worth the stop. Bonus: the entrance fee can be applied toward your meal, which makes it even better!
Recommended by a friend and worth it. Love the view facing ocean n golf course in outdoor setting with fire. I ordered Margheritta flatbread, falafel platter and carrot cake with gelato. Everything tasted awesome love the vibe. Server was prompt and courteseous as well
Beautiful view of the beach with great food - definitely a nice place for lunch (or even romantic spot for dinner to see the sunset!) From the wine to balloon bread appetizer, mushroom fries and entrees, and even dessert, everything was delightful. Restaurant was a bit difficult to find since there are other neighboring restaurants inside, but that was no issue. Server was attentive and we were frequently checked in on. I would definitely come again.
With the entry fee only $12.25, why did it take me over 20 years to go on the 17 mile drive again. November is perfectly pleasant as it is quiet, the weather is mild (was high 60s in early November) and there is a good chance of sunny days, even if it is the beginning of rainy season. If you do want your entry fee reimbursed, just spend $35 at a Pebble Beach Resort restaurant like this lunch of Lasagna Rotolo and Korean Style Brisket Sandwich at the Bench inside the Lodge at Pebble Beach. It is a popular spot even during slow season that the wait time for outdoor seating was an hour even mid-afternoon. We ended up eating at the bar which still had a beautiful view, just from a distance.
The Bench restaurant is located inside of the Lodge at Pebble Beach. There is three parts of the restaurant you can eat in, near the bar, canopy room, or outside. We were in the canopy room, a very well lit open space with natural light and a cool breeze. The service was excellent, no issues and we didn't expect to run into any to be honest. The food was also very good with the mussels and shrimp shining. The Korean brisket was also excellent, and just the right amount of salt in the daily soup. This place is a winner all the way around.
We had the best time at The Bench! We sat at the bar while waiting for an outdoor table - about 45 minutes on a Thursday, early evening. Service at the bar and tableside was great. Outside, they offered blankets had we had a fire at our table. We all enjoyed Lemon Drops and the Roasted Shrimp appetizer. My Beet Salad and steak were delicious, and they were so nice to comp our desserts, as 3 of the 4 of us were celebrating birthdays.
I kept trying to find a reason to just give our evening 4 stars... but I couldn't. Everything was great! We were early for our reservation and we spent some time at the bar. Our server was fun, knowledgeable and attentive. Drinks and reorders came quickly. A seamless transfer to our table, overlooking the 18th green at Pebble Beach. Our server spent time greeting us and reviewing the menu. I ordered the Schnitzel snd he even took a moment to explain how it was presented, in case I was expecting something more traditional, which I understood and appreciated. Food came promptly and we all enjoyed our meals. An upscale restaurant with great views, food and a knowledgeable staff. I couldn't have asked for a better evening!
What a venue!! If you haven't done the 17 Mile Drive yet, make sure to stop by here and plan for a couple hours to walk the grounds, browse the shops, take in the golf course overlooking the water, and end it with a meal at The Bench. Pro tip: spend $35+ at any Pebble Beach restaurant and they'll deduct the 17 Mile Drive entrance fee from your bill. We came to celebrate my birthday and reserved an outdoor fire pit table, and the views were absolutely breathtaking. Just be warned -- we were told we had a private table reserved outside and ended up at a communal fire pit instead, which was a bit of a letdown. Our waitress was sweet and apologetic about it, which helped. The other thing nobody warns you about -- if it's a sunny day, that outdoor seating is in direct sun with zero umbrellas. We were all getting burned at 78 degrees by the end of the meal! I actually had to escape inside to the bar to enjoy my complimentary birthday dessert, which was a lovely gesture from the staff. With the unexpected warm weather, I wish we came for a dinner instead. Despite the hiccups, the overall experience is amaaazing and one we'll absolutely return for. The best: - Bread Balloon: A must-order. A GIANT Middle Eastern-style inflated bread heavily covered with za'atar (one of my favorite spices) served with hummus and tahini was incredible. Only note for the kitchen... ease up on the olive oil as it made the bottom soggy. - Carrot Cake -- One of the best desserts I've had in a while. Four generous bites of nut-heavy carrot cake with a big scoop of rich, perfectly sweet cream cheese frosting, topped with candied walnuts and served with salted caramel ice cream. Absolutely crazy good. Do not skip this. The good: - Brussels Sprouts: We love crispy brussels and these weren't that -- more boiled and sautéed. The sauce and pork belly were delicious but the texture was a slight miss for me. - Pepperoni Flatbread -- My fiancée loved it, I thought it was just okay. The bottom was quite soggy from the excess oil. But I was impressed with how charred the bottom was. - Chopped Salad with Steak: A light, delicate, oil-based dressing, and the steak was perfectly medium rare and literally melted in your mouth. Maybe one of the best bites of steak I've had.... Now I need to come back just to try more of their steak dishes. I do wish the dressing was more flavorful because I really just tasted oil. Skip: - Espresso Martini -- Didn't love this one. Way too boozy -- the alcohol bite was overwhelming and made it really hard to drink. Skip.
this was my first time here and i loved it! we sat 4 people inside and were sat immediately, outside had an hour long wait so we passed, but it looked gorgeous and id definitely want outside seating in the future. we shared a lot of drinks but my favorite was the lemon drop! we also got a ton of food, i loved the beet salad for something light and refreshing. the duck fat potatoes were okay i wish they were crispy & the balloon bread in my head was cool but not worth the price point. i really enjoyed my brisket sandwich! it had good flavor and was soft and tender. the fries were crispy but soft which i really enjoyed. the service was okay, our waiter didn't check on us much and he either came back because he kept forgetting our order or bringing us the wrong items. for the price point i do wish he was a little more attentive but in all i still enjoyed my time
We were sat at the communal table in the back like a peasant bc we didnt have a reservation but i think we could have easily waited for a table while sitting in the back. We just didn't know. Even while sitting in the back with barely any view, it felt very calm, luxurious, and enjoyable for some reason. Maybe just the environment being so close to the ocean on a golf course. The food was pretty good. The chickpea soup, shishito peppers i saw also cooked in the big wood fire oven they have (had alot of coarse salt on top), the shrimp was probably the most tasty. I liked my mocktail. The bolognese was solid. It was tastier reheated the next day for some reason. I liked the brownie ice cream dessert. Next time we will def wait for a table outside or inside as the views are spectacular and the ambiance was calming/rejuvenating.
Made a reservation about a week before with no problem. There is a $10 fee to use the 17mile road which is understandable, so many tourists driving on that road so it helps with maintenance costs...BUT know that this restaurant will reimburse you. They will ask you towards the end of the meal or you can mention it. There were two semi small lots near the top of the entrance so we got lucky and found one up front. There is a shopping plaza and greenbelt right in front of the main hotel/condos and people window shopping or taking pictures. It wasn't super clear where the restaurant was so U had to ask one of the valets and he was very nice and told me how to get down to it. It's technically downstairs of that hotel. (There is a bar and another restaurant at lobby level too.) We got a small table outdoors and the hostess was nice enough to offer us another table that was away from the 'service setup' area and closer to the amazing ocean view. The table we moved to was much bigger (apparently that party had canceled their reservation last minute). I appreciated the offer to move because it was very noisy with plates and utensils clanging in the back. The outdoor view is AMAZING! But be prepared it can get very warm if the sun is out or very windy...so pack sunblock/sunglasses/hat and/or a sweater lok. The restaurant is semi casual and kid/Family friendly so all are welcome. Great variety on the drink list and food menu. I got the chopped salad with the most tender and delicious steak I've had a long time. The desserts were fabulous, I highly recommend saving some room for the salted caramel dessert and the strawberry cobbler with cheesecake ice-cream. Our server and the food runner were both very friendly, social but down to earth. Our server explained some key options and made recommendations. He was also very nice with my girls so extra points for that. We enjoyed this place so much that we look forward to taking my in-laws here. They love good food & golf so they would appreciate a place like this...worth the drive. read more
3 years ago
This place was amazing. The view itself is 5 stars. I couldn't stop looking around at the beauty in every direction. They are pet friendly and our two fur babies were able to enjoy this view with us. The food was fabulous! My husband had the Korean brisket sandwich and couldn't stop raving about it. And the fries with a little kick were scrumptious. I had the BLT salad and was surprised at how much I enjoyed it. Every bite left me wanting more. We shared the baked strawberry dessert and it was the perfect ending. Every bite was delectable. Highly recommend even if you are stopping just to have a drink. Take that view in. read more
Ok but way over priced (like everything at Pebble Beach). Outdoor seating g is cool - view of the 18th, but everyone and their mother comes out to take pictures so your view is obstructed a lot of the time. We had the burger - it is fat and small, not bad. Service was really good. We had duck fat potatoes to start - it was like someone rolled them in the salt flats then served them, way to salty (lost a star). Over all I would give this place a second chance next time we play Pebble, and order different items - maybe stay on the healthier side. $100 for a couple of burgers, an app and sodas - a little over the top. read more
1 year ago
4 years ago
The view is nice. Windows all around with a view of the ocean. Pigeons flying in and out. Service was good - the waiter and the concierge were good. The menu was nice - very basic and definitely priced because of location and not because of quality of the food. We ordered a mixture of flatbreads, sandwiches, burgers, and seafood soup. Organic Mushroom flatbread - I really enjoyed this but wish the flatbread wasn't so powdery on the crust. The Bench Burger - The bread was dry. At the price it came at, I would expect better housemade burger buns. Fried Chicken Sandwich - same issue as above. Bread was dry and chicken was pretty dry too. Steamed Clams - this one passes. It was good. Overall experience - it's nice to stop by if you're already in pebble beach for some reason but it's not worth going out of your way for. read more
3 years ago
Service was good! Food was wonderful. Would come back for the views. It's in a resort and I appreciate that people dress up. Heads up if you want a table outside it's first come first serve. Reservations are inside only. I give 4 stars because when the server was cleaning our plates, they spilt oil on my moms white jacket staining it. read more
1 year ago
Loved the outdoor area because of the incredible view you get, but all of the chairs at our table had bird poop on the cushions. We were surrounded by birds hopping around onto our table, the waiters did not seem to care. The fire pit in the middle of our table was too hot as the fire would blow directly into our face. It took us quite a while to be able to flag down a waiter to turn it off for us. Korean Style Brisket Sandwich ($23) - 4/5, this was a great sandwich, the meat was tender and juicy, sauce was perfect, the fries were on point, however it was definitely a small portion for $23. Spicy Pepperoni Flatbread ($23) - 2/5, super oily + salty, pizza dough was soggy and each slice broke apart easily. Notes: you can always ask for complimentary bread w/ butter read more
Connected with colleagues here for dinner. The service was outstanding. The waitstaff was very friendly, and took good care of us. We got there before the sun set and the view was amazing. For dinner I had the Berkshire Bone-in Pork Chop which was amazing. It was the best pork chop that I have ever had. It was cooked and seasoned perfectly. For dessert I had the Wood-Roasted Strawberries. This was just ok as I was expecting it to be a little more sweet than savory. Overall it was a really great experience. read more
3 years ago
This place has been my fav restaurant for sometime now. The food is absolutely fabulous and the views are incredible. Highly recommend to all my frnds and family Service is great and staff is friendly read more
11 months ago
10 months ago
3 years ago
We we're hungry after the round but I don't think that's the sole reason why everything tasted so delicious! From appetizers to desserts, sooo tasty. Maybe it's the layer of wood fire that makes food flavorful? Spicy Pepperoni Pizza, our caddy recommended, which I forgot to take photo, was excellent too. Fire roasted beets were also nice. The outdoor corner seats we got were very cozy and the fire on the table makes everyone's face glow^^ Our server was cordial and prompt. Great dining experience all in all. read more
5 years ago
One of a kind place. I liked the ambiance the best from this restaurant because it is connected to a lake and a beautiful scenery of green grass and trees are scattered around on the patio with heated wooden fires on a deck. The place is near the beach once again in carmel, pebble Beach. The place is located in 17 mile which comes with a 10.75$ fee to enter. Through this windy road, you get to mile 14 to access all the expensive restaurants nearby and hidden jewels of souvenirs from these little shops. Inside, is a massive lodge or hotel for guests with massive wallets. The previous 13 mile roads have various tourist attractions such as landmarks of trees and ocean plazas. Inside mile 14 specifically has a place located deep in the vicinity called the lodge. Inside the lodge has various restaurants of high quality. The bench is the one on the bottom of the lodge and you get to sit outside next to strangers and eat wonderful foods in the breeze. The chairs were comfortable and felt like a tiny bed to sleep on near a fire pit. The food offered is expensive, over 25$ typically for a regular entree, you can order wine or alcoholic drinks here for a premium 100$+ but you get the beer on tap and wine from 30+ years intact. The food we ordered was a Indian Naan with hummus and baba ganoush. Absolutely delicious. We also ordered the arugula salad with sliced peaches and plums with a olive oil vinaigrette mixed with herbs like basil and cilantro. It was fantastic. The pizza we had was artisan and it was a mozzarella cheese Margherita pizza. It was also amazing. We had a broccolini appetizer which included parietal cheese and garlic and lemon zest roasted to charcoal, but it tasted good as well. Each dish was about 20$ except the broccolini appetizer which was 15$, we also ordered a non alcoholic drink called Amelia. It had lemonade and various tonic water variants. It was very good as well but very sweet. The ambiance was the best part and relaxing in that chair was breathtaking. The only con was sitting next to strangers who were anti-social. It was awkward and I didn't enjoy that experience at all. The view from the bottom and peeking at the massive lodge hotel was pretty cool. read more
2 years ago
4 years ago
Wow. Just wow. Everything here was delightful! I've gone twice in a week, canceling other plans just to go here! The service is amazing, and they keep you well served- rain or shine! The beautiful ocean outside is an amazing thing to watch, but don't be fooled- the points are in the food. The carrot cake sundae was delicious and unique, and the strawberry dessert was amazing, with much varieties in flavor thanks to the balsamic reduction. The steamed clams were savory, salty, and worth ordering extra bread for. The Korean brisket sandwich tastes like a banh mi and a Korean kitchen was slammed together. And the portions aren't small- don't expect gimmicky small dishes like we did. It's more than enough to satisfy hangry college kids on spring break. I'll come back... and hurt my stomach trying to eat too much again. read more
1 year ago
2 years ago
The view does everything for me here. To me this is a casual lunch spot with great drinks and good food to enjoy while you stare at everyone making their approach on 18 at pebble beach. I had the Korean brisket sandwich which was amazing and the waiter told me it was the best option on the menu. The "elder fashioned" was delicious and just being on the pebble beach grounds is a magical experience. Hoping my gf reads this and buys me a round at pebble. read more
Came for an early dinner with a decent sized group. The weather cooperated so we sat outside. A rare sunny May day in Monterey!!! We had an adventurous group and went nuts on the appetizers. My ranking of apps we tried: 1. Bread Ballon (an oversized pita style bread that is puffed up and drizzled with oil and herbs) 2. Shishito peppers 3. Sweet potato pakora 4. Falafel 5. Beets ... As for dinner, the wife and I split a butter chicken flatbread pizza (9.5/10) and the bone in pork chop (8.5/10). The pork chop was served in almost a pho like presentation with fat noodles and veggies in a curry broth. It only loses some points because I'm not a huge fan of pickled stuff and the veggies had a slight pickled taste to them. Still a great dish and perfect to share. The flatbread was the highlight of the meal. As for deserts, everyone gets the strawberry and that is good and all, but I really liked the s'more skillet. I snuck a few extra bites while others focused on strawberries. One thing that really stood out was the service. Mac was our server and kept our drinks full and checked in often to make sure we were well taken care of. Plates were picked up quick and her recommendations for drinks were spot on (go for the Staycation!) read more
3 years ago
5 stars for the view and the fire pit. The outdoor dining was absolutely amazing and the staff was incredibly kind and quick. We got a variety of things to share: Bread Balloon (4/5): The presentation was amazing, but the actual taste was solid, but nothing to blow me away with Mac and Cheese (5/5): Absolutely amazing! Margherita Flatbread (4/5): Solid pizza! Wood Roasted Strawberries (5/5): Also really amazing and not overpoweringly sweet All in all, this place got the 5 because of the ambience and view. The food was solid as well. Would definitely come back :) read more
Came here with the family while doing the 17 mile drive. Very pretty restaurant and the view is so amazing! Had the famous bread balloon which was basically my meal because we ate so much that day! The kids had cheese pizzas and each one was the size of a medium pizza, they could of shared! Portions were generous for sure! The waiter was nice and provided good service. If your in the area this is a must visit for sure ! read more
1 year ago
2 years ago
Food, ambience and staff were amazing! Every dish was so tasty, from the garlic shrimp to the best cauliflower steak I have ever had! Dessert was delish as well. Would definitely come back! read more
Was highly recommend by my family and took my friends who were visiting from out of town here and honestly whats not to love?!? The views and food are to die for!! The outdoor seating is a must!! Amazing fire place / heating options and a beautiful view of the golf course + ocean. We ordered for apps: * blistered shishito peppers * duck fat potatoes * crispy falafel panzanella Main meals: * bench mac & cheese * butter chicken flatbread * fried chicken sandwich * korean style brisket sandwich * the bench burger Definitely planning to come back! So yum! read more
You can't beat the location and views of this restaurant. It was like taken from a movie. Service was not bad either. We ordered the tomato soup and it was really good. The croutons were perfectly crispy but also not too hard. We also ordered the sweet potato pakora sandwich and mushroom flatbread. Both of which were too salty and the flavors were just okay. This would be a great place for the awesome ocean views, but the food is just mediocre. read more
Wow...wow and again wow! The vista, the views, the weather, the food!...surprise surprise surprise! Each bite was so fresh and full of flavor. Not pictured shishito roasted peppers-and spicy fire roasted shrimp. That BLT salad was the best salad I've ever eaten! They smoke big thick hunks of bacon rubbed on brown sugar and other secret spices then cut into bite size cubes. "Olivia I'm ready to join you Honey!" Very cool vibe, relaxed, chilled and hella views. Great friendly service featuring hands free menus and six feet separation around each table. Reservations a must you are lucky to score a spot, relish it! read more
4 years ago
Great place to have a quick bite. The view is amazing, the service was great. Super friendly and inviting. Limited in the food menu but just enough for a quick bite like I said. Had the flat bread pineapple bacon was delicious. The oven beats, delicious. Cold beer, delicious. All around excellent experience. Do it . read more
3 years ago
The food was great. I definitely recommend the balloon bread while sipping on your favorite cocktail or spirit. The atmosphere and views are spectacular. Reserve outdoor seating one of the best views in California. But something else stood out last night. The girl behind the bar. Her name was Haley. She ran the bar like a machine the entire time we were there. The bar was slammed, but she kept the drinks coming at a steady pace, was friendly, upbeat, and definitely knew what she was doing. Definitely recommend this spot if you're looking for a nice, easy, beautiful place for dinner and drinks. read more
3 years ago
Great friendly service. Only menu was from Bench Bites as it was before 5:30. We had a table facing the 18th hole. The Brussels sprouts were excellent and the pizza was very tasty. The Guava Garden non- alcoholic drink was soooo good. The Amelia was good but not as good as the Guava Garden. You get the entrance fee reduced from your bill if you spend more than $35. A good place to sit and watch the golfers come in after the 18th hole. read more
The Bench sits above the 18th green of the historic Pebble Beach golf course. You will need to pay $10.50 to enter 17 mile drive but parking is free near the Pebble Beach Visitor's Center and if you give your receipt to the hostess, they will remove $10.50 from your bill! Walk across the road from parking into the Pebble Beach shopping area around the practice putting green and you will see The Lodge with valets out front. Enter The Lodge and walk down the hallway to your left past the memorabilia from years past, down the stairs, and the hostess will be on your right. There is more outdoor seating than indoor so it's a perfect spot during the COVID pandemic to enjoy a socially distant meal. On our week long vacation in Carmel, we ate here twice and sat in two different locations. The first time we sat to the left upon exiting the lodge next to the building. The second time we sat on the grass just above the slope. Both tables provided an excellent view of the the green but we preferred the grass seating as we could look down the fairway from our table BUT there is no shade so you will have to endure the sun. The tables on the grass also have issues with seagulls, pelicans, and smaller birds enjoying table scraps upon departure of guests. The wait staff told us that some birds are even brave enough to land on your table while you are sitting there! Do NOT leave your table unattended!!! All tables have a fire pit in the middle of the table which kept my wife warm as the sun set on the day. Attire for the restaurant ranges from those walking off the golf course to gentlemen with sports jackets. Dinner starts at 5:30PM but there is a Happy hour from 3-6pm daily for discounted appetizers. If you arrive early, you are welcome to walk down the cart path around the Pebble Beach course and enjoy some fabulous views of Carmel Bay. Here is our review of the food during our two visits: Arugula Salad - 8/10 - Arugula with chunks of stone fruits that were not the best flavor with almond granola and a blue cheese vinaigrette. We thoroughly enjoyed it but would have been better with more flavorful stone fruits. A very good VEGETARIAN salad. Bread Balloon - 7/10 - Huge balloon of bread with the texture close to pita bread. Lots of seasoning on top of the bread in the middle and a load of fun to pop the balloon and push out all of that hot air. We had two dips with it, babaganoush (eggplant) and a red pepper spread. The dips were just ok and the bread on bottom and sides without the season was also just ok. The seasoned part of the bread was very tasty so ration that out wisely. A good VEGETARIAN dish. Wood Grilled Broccolini - 9/10 - Charred broccolini with lemon and garlic. The flavors in this dish were perfectly balanced. The char on the broccolini truly adds a level of complexity that marries perfectly with he lemon and garlic. I would highly recommend ordering this VEGETARIAN appetizer! Blistered Shishito Peppers - 8/10 - Charred shishito peppers with olive oil, sea salt, and lemon. Once again, the char on the shishito peppers adds a great complexity to the flavor profile that complements the olive oil and salt splendidly. I did NOT get much of any lemon flavor in my dish. Most of the peppers are very mild but every once in awhile you will get one with a little spice to it. This is a very good VEGETARIAN dish. Green Machine Flatbread - 8/10 - Broccolini, Brussel Sprouts, Asparagus, Fontina, Mozzarella, Parmesan, Basil Pesto and Chili Oil on a medium sized pizza crust served with red pepper flakes and parmesan cheese. Don't be fooled from the name, this is a large dish! Good char on the vegetables with moisture coming from the pesto and chili oil to make each bite flavorful. I was surprised to enjoy this dish especially as a meat lover atop my pizzas. Braised Short Ribs - 9/10 - A huge chunk of short ribs (without the bone) on top of a Charred Potato Puree (mashed potatoes) with Grilled Escarole and chunks of Squid Grem's (calamari) all covered in a deeply complex sauce. What a phenomenal dish! The short ribs were braised until very tender without excess fat making it entirely edible. I don't know what is in the sauce, but it made you want to lick the plate. I would have dipped bread in it had it been available to me. There were only a few pieces of squid that didn't add a whole lot to the dish to be honest. The potato puree was indeed finely pureed but I didn't get much of a char flavor from it so it was closer to a typical mashed potato to me. I highly recommend this great dish to all! Wood-Roasted Strawberries - 10/10 - Lightly roasted strawberries covered by a Butter-crumble topping and homemade cheesecake ice cream with warmed balsamic vinegar reduction to drizzle atop this decadent dessert. Although the strawberries weren't the best I've had, this dish is simply DIVINE. Worth a trip to Carmel to experience the marvelous butter crumble with berries!!! read more
Dinner during Covid is located outdoors. They have fire pit tables situated by the 18th hole - Pebble Beach. Our server was super nice. She's so patient and kind. The food is delicious with fresh ingredients. The mussels, flatbreads, short ribs, gnocchi, shishito peppers were all flavorful and great quality. They have great mixed cocktails as well. The wine list is awesome. Bundle Up because is supper cold outside. read more
6 years ago
Our very first lunch at Bench and we were really impressed. From making the reservation to getting seated right on time with a great view, the experience was seamless. We sat in the patio and had a nice little heater overhead to keep us warm. Our host was very knowledgeable about the menu, made great menu suggestions and really took care of us. The drinks and the food were delicious. Next time I will order the balloon bread which we saw a couple tables order and which we missed this time around. The host put our wood roasted strawberries dessert on the house as it was my birthday, nice little gesture! We'll certainly be back. Drinks and Food Items we ordered: 1. Lavender Lemon drop: 5/5 excellent, refreshing drink for the afternoon. 2. Southern Something, forget the name but it had Rye Whisky as the base: 4/5 3. The Bench Burger: 4/5 my husband loves his burgers 4. Bench Mac and Cheese: 5/5 it came in a little skillet with breadcrumbs on top. Just perfect creaminess. 5. "Sweet Potato Pakora" Burger: 5/5 this veggie burger patty was served with jalapeños, a tomato and maybe it was apricots chutney and a savory batter fried super thin onion rings. It was so flavorful, I literally had my mouth exploding- in a good way. 6. Butternut Squash and Burrata with chili oil Flatbread: 4/5 very tasty and great for a fall afternoon. 7. Wood roasted strawberries: 5/5 this is hands down the best strawberry cobbler that I have ever had. A must try. read more
4 years ago
The Bench is located at The Lodge at Pebble Beach with its patio facing the course's scenic 18th hole. Though we had a reservation, a spot outside is first come, first served. Our table had its own tiny fire pit, perfect for warming us on the overcast, but thankfully, not windy, day we dined here. We both ordered dishes with Calabrian chili. His starter of Spicy Fire Roasted Shrimp ($24) had oil infused with butter, garlic, & the sweet & smoky chili that went so well with bread. My Spicy Pepperoni Flatbread ($24) was topped with crispy, baked on-cheese as well as stretchy mozzarella. The Calabrian chili oil gave it some nice heat. I started with Fire-Roasted Beets ($15) which was as excellent as it was plentiful (I wish I had someone to share it with because my bf doesn't eat beets.) The smoked honey, mustard seeds, goat cheese, & chives all melded together beautifully. My bf wishes he'd chosen the Hanger Steak over his Berkshire Bone-in Pork Chop ($37.) It came to the table already cut & didn't have the same wow factor as the rest of our dinner. The dessert menu came with five options, each one looked better than the next. We finally decided on Carrot Cake Sundae ($12, the cream cheese whip was ah-mazing) & our waiter's suggestion, Wood-Roasted Strawberries ($14.) The crumbly top tasted like a thin butter cookie. Can't wait to come back to try the other three desserts! Lovely service, romantic environs, unique menu items, & a cool view if you come when it's sunny! An easy five stars. read more
4 years ago
People of Color Beware!! Of this restaurant they discriminate big time!!!! Especially the tall Blonde hostess. (Picture of her is posted). My husband and I came to this restaurant yesterday 9/4/22 Sunday. We sat at the bar for about 10 minutes no-one at all greeted us nor made any eye contact with my husband or I. They were busy, but come on - Just then - a man came and sat down next to me at the bar within 2 minutes of him sitting at the bar a bar hostess with long blonde hair asked him if he if she could get him anything and if he wanted a menu. That's when I said "Hey! What about us! We want a menu and service too!! You have been looking at us this entire time and did not offer anything to us! She said that she thought someone else helped us. I told her no one has helped us in about 10 minutes nothing! Then she brought us a menu. Even the restaurant manger asked another bar host to ask us if we were having lunch? not sure why....but we also thought that was very strange as well. Wow! We love Pebble Beach My Husband comes for the golfing and we also enjoy the spa and Carmel. We came in for a drinks and a snack before dinner. But we have never ever been treated this way from any of the other restaurants in Pebble Beach. Everyone from the valet to other servers have always been very nice to us. But it goes to prove that there are alway 1 or 2 people in the bunch ( from the blonde and the restaurant manger at the Bench). that have No Class and ruin the atmosphere for us people of color who have the same money as the white guy sitting next to us. So very sad to post this - it breaks my heart. - winterstar7@gmail.com read more
2 years ago
Wonderful view, great food, free vallet parking. Service is fast and friendly workers. Overall great read more
2 years ago
1 year ago
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Ask the Community - The Bench
Do I need to make reservation or do they allow walk in?
They allow walk ins but this place can get busy so it's better to make a reservation ahead of time or call in on your way to make sure there's available tables.
Are dogs allowed?
Yes, dogs are allowed in all outdoor areas in Pebble Beach. The Bench has wonderful outdoor seating.
How's the wait / openness for walkins? Since there's a gate fee, didn't want to try if they'll turn walkins away. Thanks!
Whenever we have done a walk-in at The Bench, they usually seat us right away. You can also call Reservations to put your name down just in case.
Do they take reservations for lunch?
Yes they take reservations for lunch but outdoor tables are not reservable
What about wearing regular blue jeans for dinner?
It is super casual so that should be fine! Our dog even came and she wasn't wearing any pants :)
Can you wear white jeans to dinner?
Yes. It's very casual. Rattan furniture. Not Club 19 anymore.... too bad. But nice atmosphere for a casual meal. Not fancy.
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The Bench - newamerican - Updated October 2026
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