The vibe says it all. The food? Incredible. Lots of shareable options with a variety to choose from. Don't pass this place up - it's a gem! read more

Benchmark - Salad - New American Near Me - Santa Ana, California

I went for the happy hour the other day and I would definitely be back! The drinks were so tasty, the food was delicious, and the vibes were so fun! Loved the outdoor patio seating area. read more

Benchmark - New American Near Me - Santa Ana, California

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Lovely atmosphere and bites. Service was pleasant. Food was unique and tasty. Have been back several times.

First time here. Came to this location on a Sunday evening with a party of 8. We arrived right when the restaurant just opened for evening so parking was fairly easy but limited. We were greeted by Seth who was very friendly, patient and very helpful as we made decisions on the menu. Everything that came out was on point. We would definitely come back. Thank you for an amazing evening! read more

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The vibes are great for brunch! feels like a hang out in a fancy backyard. Service was solid when I came and the highlights of the menu for me were Ahi tuna poke, the rice cracker was a great "chip" to eat with the poke 4/5 Korean bbq tacos felt super healthy in a good way as the tortilla is a radish and the steak was tender. Also the flavors were fantastic, sweet, tangy, and a bit sour. 5/5 gochujang fried chicken 3/5 - good gochujang flavor, but chicken itself was a bit dry roasted citrus half chicken - 3/5 tasted like it sounds, lemon chicken. it was bad I just wasn't a huge fan. For me the apps hit more than the entrees, probably just do apps and drinks here next time. On that note i don't think they have a liquor license as everything is beer/wine/sake, but honestly the sake cocktails are pretty tasty! Especially the blackberry mule. read more

First time here, but arrived around lunch time. Didn't realize there was a brunch vs dinner menu. Limited brunch menu overall. Not too enticing compared to their dinner menu. The crispy chicken sandwich was fair, but nothing spectacular. The burger was SALTY. The fries on the side were good. The french toast was OK, again, nothing spectacular. Salad on the brunch menu wasn't too bad. The enchiladas with the mole were OK. The pastrami hash stack was good per family members, probably one of their best brunch items. We were seated outside, and the heat lamps were on, so wasn't chilly. Lots of leaves and foliage fallen on the seats though, especially the outer seating. Restrooms are located in a separate building next to the restaurant. Service was standard. The music selection was great (90s hip hop & pop)! Parking can be limited. Their back lot is very limited. There is street parking, but can also be difficult to find. So we parked in a lot (mobile pay) behind Hidden House Coffee, which was just a block of 2 from the reataurant. Not a terrible walk at all. read more

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The food overall was very good. The menu changes from week to week & currently did not include my early dinner meal which was a spicy chicken dish. My wife had a salad which she enjoyed but felt it was nothing special. Service was competent & frequent & friendly. It is an outside patio with no indoor tables . Another positive is their cocktail menu which is based on sake instead of hard liquor. I had a mojito which the best ever & I can highly recommend. My wife had an Arnold Palmer (her current favorite restaurant drink) which she liked, but again, was not special (she is a tough cookie to exalt about food). Two major negatives: 1) there are only 4 or 5 parking spots tho' they do have another lot over a block away which we were fortunate enough not to need; & 2) it is extremely expensive ($102+with tip) for two people for lunch. I'll go back again but only for dinner where the prices are up to my expectations. I'm giving it 4 stars instead of 5 because of the high prices for lunch. read more

Such a great experience at this delightful spot! We were in area and wanted a mixed menu for a Saturday mid day meal not necessarily a breakfast heavy menu. Benchmark's brunch fit the bill with fresh and innovative selection. Our server was so helpful with the menu and was refreshingly knowledgeable and certainly added to our great experience . We were told when seated that food is served as it is ready something we hadn't heard before in a restaurant. With our small party of 2 it wasn't an issue but I can only imagine with a larger party where it could may be problematic. The harvest salad in particular had such a unique presentation esp coming from the Bay Area, it was perfectly balanced mix of ingredients. The other dish the Bulgogi Kimchi Fried Rice had tender steak and perfectly cooked egg and flavorful gochujang. Thanks to our fab server we were able to have the invisible Apple Cake :) Can't wait to come back and try their lunch or dinner menu. read more

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The food was great. I really enjoy the Vibe of this place. My friend and I met there for Brunch a few days after Christmas to catch-up with each other and exchange gifts. It was fairly nice day out so sitting outside was not a problem. The service was wonderful too, I think our server was named Joe. He was friendly and checked on us the right balance of times. Enough that we never needed to ask for him and not hovering at the same time. I will definitely return. read more

Excellent food excellent staff had a wonderful time. Would highly recommend to any couple couples.

Finally trying this highly reviewed and rated restaurant in OC for date night! We made a reservation for a Friday night and were seated right away. The menu is seasonal and features a limited selection, which simplifies the ordering process. We kicked things off with Fritto Misto and Artichoke Fondue, followed by Sweet Corn and Shrimp Risotto and Steak Frites for our main courses. We wrapped up the evening with the Brown Butter Cake. The highlights for us were the Bavarian Pretzel bread, Steak Frites, and Brown Butter Cake. The pretzel bread was served fresh, with a delightful chewy exterior and a soft, fluffy inside. The steak was cooked to perfection, medium rare, and incredibly juicy. The peppercorn sauce that came with it was so good I couldn't help but dip everything in it. Even though we were full, we decided to indulge in the Brown Butter Cake to round off our meal. It lived up to the hype--warm, buttery, nutty, and sweet, it was everything you could want for dessert. Overall, we loved the food and the atmosphere. However, the service could have been a bit more attentive and prompt. read more

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My daughter and I went here for an early birthday dinner. The outdoor atmosphere is rustic, bohemian vibe, and so relaxing. Even the playlist that was playing in the background felt thoughtful. Our waiter Joseph was extremely attentive and made some really good recommendations. A good place to go if you're gonna share three appetizers and some drinks with friends or have a full on meal! Everything on the menu is delicious. The brown butter cake was a must have as well! read more

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Sunday lunch with the ladies. Thankfully we had reservations, as there was a line waiting prior to opening. Cute outdoor patio only. Smallish but nice. We shared the Parmesan herb potatoes with garlic aioli. 5/5 a winner. For what ever reason, our ticket got lost? Waitress kind of disappeared & another took over? Anyway, the table to our right got served & left before we got our food. Granted, we were busy chatting & took awhile to order. To we had: smoked salmon salad on spring lettuce mix. VERY good, ample salmon. Vinaigrette was very nice & balanced. Ordered the pretzel sticks by themselves. $3/piece. Didn't want the sauce. Just needed a bready something. These were KILLER! Hot, soft sprinkled with pretzel salt. VERY good. My friend ordered the Spanish omelet. Again a timing issue. She insisted we start. We were 1/4 way through our salads before she received her omelette. Thankfully I'm a slow eater (my other friend was almost furnished) .She was very happy with it once she did receive it! Perhaps there were no potatoes prepped? Usually half cooked to accelerate omelette cook time? They comp'd a dessert due to the major delay in service. (Third party on our right by this time) Sticky toffee pudding with vanilla ice cream. Truly yummy. Almost forgot about the service delay. Without the service delay, the food is a solid 5. With the service delay - 1/2 a star. The biggest deterrent is the parking. There is none. A tiny lot is shared with a back apt. type of situation. 2 churches & 2 apt complexes right across the street. 2 had to circles the block several times. Ended up parking in a church lot. If you park across Santa Ana Blvd to the south, you cross the Steam trolley tracks. Which aren't as wide as regular railroad tracks. I may return since the food was really good. My friends won't since they had to hike a block and a half away. Which is a bummer as we're all in the food industry. 3-1/2 (service delay, no parking) food is a solid 5 though. read more

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Consistently good food. The cocktails are made with infused sake which isn't my preference but they do them well. It's all outside seating but they have heaters so it is always comfortable. read more

My girlfriend and I had lunch here and it was a wonderful experience! The restaurant is not very large, and parking is limited, but don't let that deter you--it's worth it :) The overall ambiance is super cute and perfect for a cozy, intimate meal. The staff was kind and accommodating, making us feel so welcomed from the moment we walked in. The food is amazing. I also ordered the lavender lemonade--it was hands down the best ever. Whether you're celebrating a special occasion or just grabbing lunch, Benchmark is a fantastic little spot. Highly recommend. read more

Benchmark - Lavender Lemonade - New American Near Me - Santa Ana, California

I had an event here for a corporate holiday dinner and it was an amazing experience! We had a private dining area on the back patio that was the perfect amount of secluded yet open to easily find our group. Our servers were very attentive and made sure we had everything we needed all night long. The drinks and food were AMAZING! They had plenty of yummy cocktails and soft drinks that were seasonal, fun, and classic. We ordered a bunch of appetizers to share and everything was delicious. My personal favorite were the shishito peppers with pork belly and the artichoke fondue with pretzel breads. Would highly recommend Benchmark! read more

Lovely evening, definitely best to "share" the various dishes. Would be too much of same food to eat one dish alone. Wine was great too, ambiance is very nice. Surprisingly the owner was our sommelier read more

Super cute vibes! I loved the ambience of this restaurant. Very welcoming and casual. It is an outdoor restaurant. I would not recommend more than 10 people in a group unless you let them know ahead of time with the reservation; it's on the smaller side.. Pricing is not bad, but I hope to come back during their happy hour to try more dishes! read more

OK food, weird service, romantic and casual setting that's all patio seating. Front patio by the street or covered patio by the back parking lot. Came here for dinner for 2 on Friday night. Made a reservation for 6:30. Arrived and seated promptly. The place got pretty busy by 7. Parking lot in back is small. Took me about 10 minutes to find street parking. When we were seated, they brought out 1 plate and 2 sets of utensils. Waters were brought out promptly. After our food was brought out I asked for another plate for my friend. The employee asked why and if anything was wrong with the 1 plate we had. We said no we just needed another plate for my friend and the employee kind of questioned if we really needed another... Never had a server ask me why I needed another plate... For the food, we ordered items to share. Artichoke fondue - I would skip the fondue and just get the pretzels if you love carbs like I do. The artichoke fondue seemed lacking to me and the pretzel outshined it Scallop tostada - I enjoyed this appetizer. I think I would've eaten a bunch of these if there were more. I liked the sauce on the scallops. It was nice and light. Fries- they're pretty standard fries. It's a nice side. Gochujang fried chicken was my least favorite. I ordered it because of the rave reviews. To me, it's basically a spicer version of orange chicken. Small pieces of chicken slathered in batter and cooked with gochujang. Most of it was more batter than chicken. It also seemed like it was cooked and had been sitting around. The salad was fine and helped the dish out. After we finished eating, we kind of sat around for a while waiting for the server to come by so we could flag her down to get the check. Food was okay and the some of the service here threw me off. read more

Benchmark - Scallop tostada, fries, gochujang fried chicken. - New American Near Me - Santa Ana, California

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The food is some of the best! Everything we've had there is amazing. The service is so good as well!

Cute outdoor seating under trees and hanging plants. Food is always on point, esp the artichoke fondue pretzel with fast service! read more

Benchmark - New American Near Me - Santa Ana, California

Benchmark is a newly opened restaurant in Santa Ana and after seeing lots of Instagram posts, I new I had to try! The restaurant is all outdoors with two different seating areas. Both areas are covered and have heating lamps for when it gets cold. The ambiance is so cute and relaxing with string lights, marble tables and hanging plants. Our server was amazing! She was so friendly and helpful with explaining their menu and adding her own recommendations What we ordered: Apps - Pretzels with artichoke fondue. Three pretzels sticks served warm with creamy artichoke dip, a MUST TRY 10/10 Drinks - lavender lemon basil and smoked out, 10/10. *They have a wine and beer license but not a liquor license, so all the cocktails are sake infused liquors (vodka, tequila, whiskey) and are slightly cheaper because of this, and honestly still tastes just as good! Entrees - Benchmark burger, cheddar and bacon jam served on a brioche bun and comes with Parmesan fries. The flavors were WOW. 11/10 Cacio e Pepe pasta was tasty, a little too cheesy for my liking but still good, 8/10 Dessert - We really wanted to try the brown butter cake but they were out! So instead we ordered espresso martinis which tasted like a dessert in itself, 10/10 Would love to come back next time for more pretzels and to try the butter cake! read more

Benchmark - Fondue with pretzels - New American Near Me - Santa Ana, California

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3.5 stars for brunch, 4 stars for regular menu. Didn't realize Saturday afternoon was limited to brunch menu only. I think their brunch menu is a little weak... Dinner menu is much more unique and worth the cost. My Irish coffee was delicious! Creamy goodness with whiskey infused sake. The pastrami hash is a bit too salty for our tastes, I think it would have benefitted from more potatoes or something carby to balance out the high level of saltiness. Spanish omeltte was OK. Egg would have tasted better if it was cooked less so that it was more moist and less dry. Maybe more sauce would have added more flavor but the ratio of sauce to egg was minimal. read more

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We came here at 6 on a Friday and it wasn't overly crowded! I feel like this place is a hidden gem. Our family of 3 (me, my husband and our toddler daughter) were seated right away and we ordered the pork belly and shishito appetizer. It was so good. It didn't come with very much pork belly but those few bites were delicious. It came with a ton of shishito peppers though, which was great! Watch out - most of the peppers are mild but there were a couple hidden spice bombs. Then we ordered the Benchmark burger, Korean BBQ tacos (which is technically more of an appetizer but it was enough for me with the other dishes we got), and a kids mac n cheese. The kids mac n cheese was really small (although our 2 year old only ate half - but you know how toddlers are). It might not be enough for an older kid though, and it certainly hurt to pay $12 for that. But that's really my only complaint. The tacos were soooo good!! I would definitely order those again. I begrudgingly shared one with my husband even though I wanted them all to myself. The benchmark burger was good too, but it's basically just a burger. My opinion is you should try something unique if you're gonna eat at a place like this! But it was a solid burger so no complaints. Parking was pretty easy as well. We found street parking, and they also have a small lot right next to the restaurant. read more

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Ah I love this place! Everything taste awesome! You wont believe that you can find this Gem in this neighborhood. They only thing challenging for us is the parking situation. They have very limited parking spots. And if there was some sort of music I would be even more in love! Service is very good and the menu is tasteful! All their cocktails are Sake based and they look and taste fabulous! They have great brunch menu but I only been there for dinner. Must tries: Ahi Tuna and Rice crackers Korean Bbq Tacos Short Rib croquettes The spicy fried chicken Go on a weekday and enjoy setting, lighting, good wine and fantastic food! read more

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Our family of four went here last minute on a weekend, and we were glad to be able to get a reservation! We were seated quickly by a friendly staff member, who was able to answer all my questions about parking (more on that later). At our table, we were also greeted quickly and asked for drink orders. For food, our party had açaí bowls, avocado the chickens sandwich, burger, and a salad. Everything was fresh and beautifully presented! It also came out in a timely manner from the time we ordered. My kids said this was one of the best burgers they'd had; my husband and I were equally impressed with the açaí bowls and salad (harvest salad, I believe). The chicken sandwich was heavier than we expected - nice flavorful, but a lot of sauce. The whole staff was attentive and helpful. They take a team approach here, meaning you aren't assigned a single server. Pro: was nice to be able to ask anyone passing by for what you need. Con: there was a point where we waited a while to order, there is some uncertainty among the staff about who's been helped and who hasn't. When they do come, though, they're very helpful! The parking lot on site is very small, but they validate for the lot about a block away. Since we were in a rental car, we didn't want to risk issues with a ticket - but we were assured that they have a system and we wouldn't be charged. Recommend checking them out! Especially If you set your expectations about service style and parking, I think I you'll have a lovely experience. read more

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This place is such a hidden gem in santa ana! my only gripe is that there is only street parking and you might have to walk a block or two, BUT the food + service is worth your while! It's all outdoor/gazebo type seating with heaters all around and super cute and cozy. NON NEGOTIABLE MUST TRYS: -gochujang fried chicken -braised short ribs -ahi tuna read more

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Came here for brunch and immediately adored the place when I walked in! There are trees incorporated into their semi outdoor setting accentuated with fairy lights. It gave a relaxed yet chic vibe that made me look forward to the dining experience. We ordered the artichoke fondue, chicken mole enchiladas, and dulce de leche french toast. The fondue was so creamy and cheesy and the pretzel style bread that came with it was soft and perfect for dipping. The enchiladas were tender and had this delicious mole sauce that tied the entire dish together. The french toast was custardy and were generously sprinkled with caramelized bananas that accentuated the dulce de leche sauce. Would love to go again to try the rest of their menu! read more

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Came here for brunch The service is great and very friendly Small parking lot in the back otherwise parking is a big challenge They will validate at a lot across the street though They have a private room in a converted garage which is really nice if you have a big group Unfortunately veg and vegan options are limited They made the kimchi fried rice for me vegan. But when it came to me it was cold, burnt in some areas and the rice was raw in some bites. The taste was a little spicy and sour. It was not very good at all The pretzel was a little better The food was pretty bad but everything else was ok read more

Every dish was delicious, but two of them we think could be better. The artichoke pretzel dish was fantastic, delicious, get it! The gochujang fried chicken with the slaw - another winner and best dish of the night. The pork belly shishito peppers - a tad oily for the peppers and needed a bit more salt on the peppers. The amount of pork belly was on the lower end. The short rib polenta was mighty delicious, except it was very very salty. It was palatable, but it's a bit over the edge. The entire table agreed. We'd still get it again, but be mindful of that. Overall, will be back. That gochujang fried chicken was special. read more

Benchmark - Gochujang chicken - New American Near Me - Santa Ana, California

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This is a wonderful gem of a restaurant in Santa Ana California. We have dined at this restaurant several times before events at our daughter's high school. The service is wonderful, especially from Julissa and Seth. We will visit this restaurant for the rest of our lives. It's such a great place and has delicious food. read more

Great service and food was amazing . I loved the Brussels sprouts dish and the pork. The setting was out doors but so cute with the string lights and benches, felt like I was in someone's yard read more

We went for brunch and it was amazing, aside from the long wait due to a large party but it was worth it. Parking is annoying but I'm told (after I parked on the street) that there is a lot across the street that they validate. Had I known that, I would have saved myself the trouble. The server was great. He was out there hustling and making sure the food was coming out as fast as it could, considering the huge party. The seating is all outdoors and the restaurant has cute light fixtures. It's been a while since I've had good mole and the chicken mole enchilada did not disappoint. It was savory and the mole slapped. It was so good, that I could have ordered another. The artichoke fondue and pretzel bread were glorious. I would have never thought that there was artichoke inside, it was buttery smooth and rich. The parmesan herb fries were fried the way I like it. Crispy but not overdone. I'd love to try their other non-brunch foods in the future! read more

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Tonight my family and I dined at Benchmark in old town Santa Ana and it was an amazing experience from start to finish. The ambiance was warm and inviting, with soft lighting and tasteful decor that set the perfect vibes on the patio-for an enjoyable evening with family. Now, onto the food--absolutely phenomenal! I started with Korean Tacos, which was such a great take to make such a great dish, and bursting with flavors. For my main course, I had Benchmark Burger, cooked to perfection with a tasty aioli and smothered in bacon jam!! Wow!.. We also shared a tasty Caesar salad and enjoyed the Shishito peppers. All were just exceptional in flavor. The service was just as impressive. Our server was Joseph was friendly, attentive, and knowledgeable about the menu, offering great recommendations without being intrusive. He made the vibe of the experience that much better. The food arrived promptly, and the staff ensured we had everything we needed throughout the meal. To top it off, we indulged in their fabulous desserts. Make sure you do the brown pecan butter cake! So good! Overall, Benchmark exceeded my expectations. Whether you're looking for a casual dinner or a special night out, this place is a must-visit. I'll definitely be coming back! read more

Benchmark - Korean Tacos! - New American Near Me - Santa Ana, California

We stumbled upon Benchmark as a spontaneous choice to grub on a Saturday night. We were lucky to be seated right away and had the pleasure of getting served by one of the best waiters I've ever had, Joseph! He was just an all-around cool dude with a very friendly attitude. Our food was delicious and the ambiance of the restaurant was super quaint and inviting, given the outside seating and all the lights. This is definitely the kind of place you want to come back with friends so we'll be back to try other items on the menu. read more

Benchmark - New American Near Me - Santa Ana, California

A pleasant surprise of a restaurant. My boyfriend and I were in the area and we needed to find a place to eat relatively quickly, and somehow we stumbled upon this place. I wasn't expecting much, but the salad I ordered was actually great. I could tell the ingredients were fresh. If anything, my only complaint would be that I wish there was more. The service was also good, our waiter being very energetic without his enthusiasm becoming impractical. I would return to this restaurant if I'm in the area again. read more

Benchmark - Salad - New American Near Me - Santa Ana, California

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Thank you Duane!! Great food great time Was my first time coming and I will surely be back when I am in town. read more

This was my first time visiting. After reading the reviews and seeing the photos, it seemed very promising. We ordered a burger, a salad, and enchiladas, but were told they were out of enchiladas, so I switched to the avocado toast. When my salad arrived, the waiter said he would return with utensils, but never did, even though he checked on nearby tables. I had to flag down another staff member to get them. The restaurant wasn't busy, so I didn't expect the service to be this poor. Our sodas were never refilled, and after flagging someone down, the refill was forgotten while other tables were attended to. I had to ask again. We also weren't given napkins or condiments and had to flag down yet another staff member for ketchup. Overall, the service was awful and we felt completely ignored. I really wanted to like this place, but unfortunately, we won't be returning. read more

This restaurant is located in the heart of downtown Santa Ana, exuding Tulum vibes. There's parking available both on the street and behind the restaurant. Our waitress was a gem, providing excellent assistance with our orders since it was our first time. I chose the tacos, which were tender and delicious bite-sized portions. Fortunately, I wasn't very hungry, but my husband and I were looking for a small bite. I definitely recommend this spot! read more

Benchmark - New American Near Me - Santa Ana, California

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Great spot near downtown Santa Ana. Came on a Sunday at noon with a reservation and were seated immediately. Service is a bit slow, but not a problem as we were not in a hurry. Our server took our order and disappeared. Another server checked on us and then brought me my coffee. They only have coffee, which was just hot enough and good, no espresso drinks. We ordered the salmon flatbread and harvest salad. The flatbread arrived first - it was nicely flavored, but could have used a bit more avocado (just 4 small chunks for six slices). The salad arrived a few minutes later and was delicious. The quinoa was seasoned well. The space has a garden feel with covered patios at the front and back. Street parking and a parking lot nearby. I found out too late that I could have saved the $9 parking fee by coming to the restaurant and providing my license plate. read more

Benchmark - Salmon flatbread - New American Near Me - Santa Ana, California

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