My friends and I really enjoy this establishment. If you're in the local area, you can't beat the happy hour. The food is great and the drinks are even better. I'm leaving this review to share the time limitations which we were unaware of.. I did try to resolve this by calling the establishment; however, the times I called. I was told neither the owner or the manager were available. We got together for happy hour and ordered an abundance of food and drinks. At one point the hostess came to our table to share that our time was up. My group was bewildered as we frequent this location often and have never heard of a time limit rule. Thinking this was because we hadn't ordered another round, we decided to order dessert along with another round of drinks. The waiter was very accommodating. Unfortunately, the hostess was not. She stopped by the table to share someone else was waiting for our table, and she would try to figure out what to do with us. Needless to say, this made us feel uncomfortable and shared our sentiment with her. She shrugged us off and told us she was merely doing her job. We proceeded to leave. Long story short, the website is great with the tag of "stay a while" this really means stay only an hour and a half or you'll be kicked out. read more

Benchmark is an outdoor only restaurant in Santa Ana. They describe it as coming to a "backyard." The atmosphere is very welcoming, romantic, and comfortable. There's also a small parking lot and street parking available nearby. It seems they change their menu seasonally and have specials when they don't have something on their menu. Their plates are meant for sharing family style, so this place is perfect for families and small parties. The service here is exceptionally fantastic. Our server was able to explain all the ingredients in the dishes when asked, and even went to the kitchen to clarifying anything unclear. They are very humble and accommodating. When I ordered a beer, they were very honest to share that that beer's keg is not available and even offered some samples instead - top notch thoughtful service right there. I got to try 2 dishes. The chicken parm pasta is slightly spicy, with perfectly cooked pasta noodles, and had a complex blend of cheese (including burrata as a topping). The shrimp + broccoli risotto was creamy in texture, yet very light - the flavors and texture was great. The shrimp was cooked perfectly. These were very filling for 2 people. Overall, I'd definitely come back for another meal for the food, experience, and atmosphere! read more

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Adorable space that makes you feel like you're dining in your best friend's backyard. Each dish was unique and fresh with ingredients thoughtfully paired together. The four of us each ordered a different entree, and shared 2 appetizers and were impressed by all 6 dishes. Our waiter was friendly, funny, and helpful in menu recommendations. The only drawback is the lack of liquor license which we did not know about prior to arrival. Overall, a lovely spot that we look forward to visiting again! read more

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Food - burgers, chicken sandwich, a few other items. It was a good selection. I had the burger. It was ok but it felt a little rich for my liking. Like it was too fancied for my taste. I am the kind that likes my burger straight to the point. Service - depends who you get. Our waitstaff was good. Ambiance - if you sit in the front, sure. If you sit in the back, it's ok. Good vibes all around. Smaller quaint place. Verdict - good to try at least once. read more

Benchmark - Dining area - New American Near Me - Santa Ana, California

Came here for Sunday brunch and it's super cute! The entire restaurant is outdoor seating only shaded with lots of trees. There are string lights all over so I imagine it'd be an adorable dinner/date night type place too. Our family ordered several dishes to share - burgers, tacos, fried chicken sandwich.. and everything was delish. Service was friendly and attentive too! read more

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Perfect spot for spring/summer vibes! All of their seating is outdoor/patio style and is well shaded with some fans going, which keeps things comfortable! Loved the rustic decor and backyard vibes. Do try to make a reservation if you're coming in the weekend. Did a walk in for a party of 4 at 7:00pm on a Friday and had to wait around an hour for a table to open up, but the bar makes the wait bearable. Food was great too! The shishito peppers were really tasty, with a sweet and acidic ponzu glaze that cut through the crispy pork belly really nicely. The burger was also surprisingly a highlight! Pretty massive burger that was juicy, meaty, and super rich with the meaty cheese and bacon jam. You could definitely tell that the quality is there! Drinks were quite tasty aswell! Super smooth and refreshing cocktails, all made with a spirit infused sake. They weren't too alcohol forward, which was nice for a casual dinner. Overall great vibes at Benchmark, looking forward to visiting again! read more

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Amazing food and vibes here! I always order the pretzels with the artichoke dip that is so yummie! The salmon flatbread, chicken sandwich, almost everything on this menu is amazing and worth the drive. Music they play here is on point! Staff is super friendly and always on top of it read more

Johnny was our server and he was great. He gave us some thoughtful recommendations and was consistent in checking in on us. The artichoke dip and burger were so good, we split everything between the 3 of us family style. My friends raved about the bulgogi fried rice but I was too full to function. The spot itself is cute but mostly outdoors, bring a jacket for California weather changes and just enjoy the space. read more

Visited here to try the food as I'm considering hosting a rehearsal dinner at this restaurant. The ambiance is very cute, I felt like I was at a beach. Service was fast and friendly. The food was pretty good - the only thing I didn't really like was how far the bathroom was from the dining area and there wasn't enough signage to direct me to the bathroom read more

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We had such an incredible experience at Benchmark. From the moment we sat down, our server Joseph truly stood out--so attentive, knowledgeable, and genuinely kind. He gave amazing recommendations and was more than accommodating when it came to dietary restrictions, which made everyone at the table feel comfortable and taken care of. The food and drinks were honestly some of the best we've had in a long time--everything was flavorful, beautifully prepared, and memorable. It's rare to find a place that nails both the service, ambiance and the menu this well. We're already looking forward to coming back. Highly recommend! read more

I came here on a Saturday night at 7pm with a reservation but it wasn't too busy so you could probably also walk in. The seating/restaurant is outside kind of like a patio setting, and the ambience is very cute and rustic. There were multiple tables open, so the waiter let us choose where to sit which was very sweet. - roasted sweet potato and brussels sprouts: 9.8/10. AMAZING. It sounds simple, but the way they season, dress, and cook this is absolutely delicious especially with their little additional toppings (cranberries and pumpkin seeds). I would come back here just to eat this. The portion is also very generous. - roasted citrus half chicken: 8.1/10. The chicken was HUGE, delicious, and juicy, but I'm not sure I enjoyed the other things accompanying the chicken (kennebec steak fries and baby spinach did not complement the chicken well or were maybe under seasoned). - short rib rigatoni: 8.0/10. Plenty of short rib and well cooked pasta! Yummy, but I wouldn't get this again. read more

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

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Wow! This was such a find in the heart of Santa Ana. First off, it is an outdoor venue. The decor is modern and relaxed with a cool vibe. There is a bar with a screen TV to hang out at. Reservations preferred as it is on the smaller side, and has a seated time limit of 90 minutes (plenty of time to enjoy your meal). There is a parking lot a block away that is worth it. Now for the food and service. Our server was Julissa and she was outstanding! She was happy, energetic and confident. She could make recommendations that were helpful and knew the ingredients and menu options effortlessly. Absolutely enjoyed our time with her - thank you Julissa! For starters we had the Korean BBQ Tacos - 10/10 with a beautifully seasoned meat on a large radish and tangy cabbage slaw. You get 4 of them. So good! For our meals we choose the Roasted Sweet Potato and Brussel Sprouts with cranberries and a spicy chipotle sauce. My friend loved it! I had the Crispy Airline Chicken over asparagus and pees in a creamy sauce. 9/10. It was good but I would've liked to have an added taste such as sun-dried tomatoes or artichoke hearts to give it a bit more texture and punch. For desert we had their most popular dish - Brown Butter Cake (10/10) - it did not disappoint. A spongy, soft, round cake with crushed pecan pieces, vanilla gelato, drizzled with caramel. A nice palate ending. I could see having this with a warm cup of coffee or tea. As a side note, since it is outside there were some small flies around occasionally but that can't be helped - just a heads up. Overall, it was excellent and I was already telling others about the wonderful experience we had here. Thanks Benchmark - see you soon! read more

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Joseph was AMAZING! that's how service should be. He was so nice and attentive to even my dog thank you so much! read more

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This is a cute little outdoor restaurant tucked in a residential neighborhood. The vibe is chic yet cozy and fairly quiet, but the food and drinks were not or miss. We came for brunch and ordered the smoked salmon flatbread, French toast, kimchi fried rice, and chicken tinga skillet. My favorites are the French toast and kimchi fried rice. The French toast is huge and great for sharing. The kimchi fried rice is flavorful with strong gochujang flavors. and the steak on top is tender. I didn't really enjoy the smoked salmon flatbread. There was very little caviar and the flatbread had a weird texture, almost like a banh xeo. The espresso martini was a huge miss. It did not have the rich espresso flavor and tasted like coffee flavored rubbing alcohol. I'll stick to wine if I come here again. read more

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Our server took his time to answer all of our questions and make sure we had everything we needed. They don't have any special coffee like lattes which seems weird for a spot that's so popular for brunch. There's a coffee shop across the street and they let you bring their coffee into the restaurant. The kimchi fried rice was good but the French toast was pretty dry. The outdoor seating area is really cute tho. read more

Benchmark - Kimchi fried rice, dulce de leche French toast - New American Near Me - Santa Ana, California

(4.5) Super cute must-try spot in Santa Ana! I've been here a few times now for both dinner and brunch. The ambiance and vibe is sooo pretty and it's the perfect spot to get-together with your girls or to have a date night. Most recently I came with my girls on a Saturday afternoon. A lot of us either got the crispy chicken sandwich or the burger. Both were good but not mind blowing. We all enjoyed the appetizers/shareables though! I'd definitely come back to get the French toast and smoked salmon flatbread. Overall, I do prefer their dinner menu choices, though, over brunch. Service was great! We had a reservation for a large party of 15 and the staff were really nice and attentive. FYI - originally I was trying to reserve their private dining room (they call it the garage) but it was all booked up on the day that I wanted. So the event coordinator helped me make a standard reservation instead. I was told that for standard reservations, they can only host up to 15 guests. Luckily I had that exact number. Anything more than that will require a private dining room reservation! Parking: they have a very small back lot and street parking is available. BUT, I suggest parking at Ebell! It's a much bigger lot with many spaces, free, and less than one block away. :) super easy! read more

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Had reservation but no table was available. They had us wait. 10 min passed and we see a guy set up a wobbly table in the corner RIGHT IN FRONT of their kitchen. Note this is January. Cold night. No heater around. Owner Pedro said that is only table unless we wanna wait who knows how long. Will never return. Waste of our time. read more

I came for happy hour for a girl dinner and I was a bit scared after reading the recent reviews but I enjoyed it. Our waiter was very kind and checked up on us at the perfect times. The tables are outdoor so bring a jacket just in case. I love that there are lots of string lights and plants because it adds warmth to the seating area. Food Consensus: We ordered the shishito peppers, Parmesan fries, artichoke fondue + pretzels, short rib rigatoni, little gem Caesar salad, and streak frites. For drinks, I ordered the guava Paloma. I'd order the shishito peppers and artichoke fondue + pretzels again. The shishito peppers and pork belly were nice and flavorful. I also just have a predilection for spicy foods. I love the surprise element of shishito peppers because you never know which one will be spicy. The artichoke wasn't very present in the dip but the pretzels were to die for. Perfectly crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. I think all the other dishes were decent! Those 2 just happen to be the standouts to me. I would recommend coming during happy hour! read more

Benchmark - New American Near Me - Santa Ana, California

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Love the atmosphere of the space, but we all know you're here for the food. And I have to say. They could serve this food to me in a cardboard box and I would still give a 5 stars. Every single bite was delicious. Great flavors, great textures and great ingredients. The staff was very friendly and service was quick too. Absolutely recommend read more

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Wow! Never have i ever had to wait 10 minutes for a menu. I get being short staffed but you don't turn around, seat another couple and give them water right off and ignore us. Never have a feel more blackballed in a restaurant- hire more people so if someone calls out you are not losing customers before they can even order a drink. I was looking forward to trying this place out but now I'll never set foot in there again- epic fail! read more

It was my friend's birthday, and we had the best time! The food and atmosphere were absolutely amazing, and the staff even joined in to celebrate with us -- so kind and thoughtful. Parking was a bit tricky, but everything else was perfect. I'd definitely love to go back! read more

Benchmark - Beautiful place ~ - New American Near Me - Santa Ana, California

We've been trying to get here for a while since it's outside our normal zone but I'm so glad we finally got here. The food was excellent and it was surprisingly warm and cozy on a rainy night. I was going to cancel our rez with the rain, but they have it well heated and dry in the main room and we had a beautiful night. The service was great and we would definitely get back here to try more dishes. read more

Recently had dinner at Benchmark for a friend's birthday. Our server Tiffany, who also is one of the bartenders, was amazing and such a hoot! The food and drinks are always divine. They do change out some items depending on the season but you really can't go wrong with what you ordered. This time around we ordered burrata + zucchini flatbread (AMAZING, please keep this on the menu) and parmesan herb fries for the table. - though we didn't get it this time, the shishito + crispy pork belly is also yummy. We also ordered the roasted sweet potatoes + Brussels sprouts, miso glazed salmon, shrimp + broccoli risotto, and crispy chicken linguine. No notes, all very delicious! Drinks were good, per usual. They use spirit-infused sake and are all crafted cocktails. Ambiance is super cute! Love the outdoor setting and all the lantern lights. Benchmark is perfect for dinner with friends or date night. Highly recommend! read more

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My boyfriend and I tried happy hour at Benchmark for the first time today, and it was such a great experience. Our server, Joseph was amazing..so helpful, knowledgeable, funny, and attentive. He gave us some recommendations that we ended up ordering, and everything was delicious. The food and drinks were great, but Joseph truly made the experience even more special. We'll definitely be back especially for brunch! read more

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Very ambient with excellent food. The atmosphere reminds me of restaurants I went to in Bali.

I liked: Chorizo Goat Cheese Flat Bread This was ok: Parmesan Herb Fries Steak Sandwich I did not like: Artichoke Fondue I'm surprised I didn't like this restaurant since I normally like New American. The flat bread was decent but I didn't expect it to be so sweet instead of savory. The fries are mid, the steak itself is good but the sauce is overpowering and the bread was difficult to bite through. The fondue is highly rated but was pretty sour when I had it. We actually thought the restaurant was closed because there's not a lot of people sitting in the front. They had people in the back alcove closer to the parking. Speaking of parking, there aren't a lot of spots and street parking is pretty full as well. Best thing about the restaurant is that the decor is very cute and well put together. If I do come back, I'd want to try the short rib orcchiette. The couple next to us said that was the best thing they had. read more

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Joseph made our Valentine's Day so special. From the moment we sat down, he took great care of my friend and me. bringing over heaters so we could stay cozy and walking us through the menu with such confidence and knowledge. His recommendations were spot on, and you could tell he genuinely wanted us to have the best experience possible. We absolutely loved the environment, the service, and the overall vibe. We'll definitely be coming back and recommending this place to all of our friends. Thank you, Joseph, for making our Galantines memorable read more

Benchmark - New American Near Me - Santa Ana, California

This is an old review. Hubby & I was in the area & I've been wanting to try this place so we came here for dinner on a Sunday night. Weather was nice so we sat outdoors. Service was friendly & attentive. We started off with cocktails & as for food, we shared the ahi tuna served over sesame crackers, roasted citrus half chicken, & I believe it was the crispy pork belly. Everything was flavorful & delicious! Ahi tuna was fresh & perfect bite size. The chicken & pork was tender. Drinks were on point & not too sweet. I def look forward to coming back to try other dishes on the menu. read more

Benchmark - New American Near Me - Santa Ana, California

Came here with a group of 6 including 2 kids for dinner. Wanted a cocktail and the waitress said they only have saki cocktails and she swore the old fashioned tasted very similar to bourbon. Sadly it didn't but they comped it so that was nice. Got a great glass of cab instead. We got the tostadas and the artichoke fondue which were both really good! I got the short rib rigatoni, the others got the fried chicken, burger and the sweet potato and Brussels. All good. Only downsides being 1) service was extremely slow and 2) we were sat outside which was honestly great but it was packed in and they had three space heaters on so it was roasting! Overall a nice dinner but they seems a bit short staffed and service was underwhelming. read more

Cute little place.. it's a converted garage but super trendy and cool. I got the lobster/shrimp enchilada and the French toast. Enchilada was great , seafood was cooked just right and the French toast was good too. Service was friendly/fast and it's in a nice little part of town. Go support this business! read more

Benchmark - French toast and piece of fried chicken - New American Near Me - Santa Ana, California

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This was our second or third time at Benchmark for dinner. All of the seating is outdoor patio, but with surrounding shelter and shading so no direct sun - in SoCal this works well most of the year. Waitstaff were attentive and helpful, even with parking. We both like the miso glazed salmon entree. I tried the sweet potato risotto which was tasty, unusual, and better than expected. The charred cabbage with lemon and chili had lots of flavor. We also tried the margarita mocktail made with sake; lots of tajin keep it interesting. No dish or drink is ever boring! The atmosphere is an added bonus. Recommended read more

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Very cute & nice decor setup & relaxed atmosphere here. I love the way they've repurposed a container for the outside building next to the two outside patio dining areas. Love the outside spaces, makes a lovely weekend brunch experience even better. Great place for gatherings for birthday parties which so many people do enjoy here. Artichoke fondue: 4 stars Bavarian pretzel sticks was nice warm & fluffy but the actual dip was on the salty side. This went well as a dip for the fries that we ordered as well. There should be 4 not 3 sticks of this dish is for sharing. Smoke salmon flatbread: 4.5 stars Very crunchy with a nice lemon drizzle on top of a sprinkle of arugula & smoke salmon . A bit on the burnt side but loved the crunch that this dish had instead of the usual soft bread that flatbread has, which gave it a nice texture. Seasonal sorbet: peach 4 stars Very creamy, I thought would be less creamy since sorbets aren't usually creamy Overall great taste but small serving. Service: 4 stars Good but can be a bit slow. Parking can be a pain here since it's so limited & the surrounding neighborhood doesn't have many parking spots & requires permits to park there. -.5 stars RSVPs are not required but definitely recommended here as it can get crowded. Prices are on the higher side & menu is very limited not much seafood options for brunch & lunch is only served during Friday's. It would be great if there was more vegetarian options as well. -1 star Overall: 3.5 stars If only yelp can have 1/2 stars read more

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Good food Service could've been better. They were not attentive in regard to the way that we wanted our burger cooked, which was well then when it came back out, it wasn't cooked well like we had asked it to be. Why ask if you're not going to actually do what we ordered? Staff also was avoiding of us for whatever reason and I don't want to think that it's because we were black, but for whatever reason, they sure enough were not looking our way almost had to chase down our waiter using another waiter so that we could actually get this order correct and then after that he basically. I don't know I don't know about this place ... wasn't too inviting and that kills tastethe food was all right, but if the staff and the environment aren't great, who cares for the food? read more

Our first time here and we were met by the best server Joseph! Incredibly friendly and recommending the Burger and Short Rib Pasta. Amazing fries!! Highly recommend this spot if you want some fun vibes and service. read more

First, what a quaint little place! Absolutely loved the atmosphere. Our server, Seth was so kind and attentive. The food was amazing! I can't wait to go back and try something different. Great vibes here!!! read more

Benchmark - Enchiladas Suizas--lobster and shrimp. - New American Near Me - Santa Ana, California

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Came for lunch and sat in the sheltered area due to the wind and an event. It was cozy, service was exceptional and the food was delicious!! We will definitely be back! read more

We held our wedding rehearsal dinner at Benchmark and could not have been happier! Even with a rainy evening, the staff was incredibly friendly, attentive, and so accommodating. Our families and friends were blown away by the beautiful space and the food. People were still talking to me about the kbbq tacos served on radishes and the artichoke fondue days later. Everything was delicious, and the atmosphere felt cozy and celebratory in the best way. The private event space was perfect for our group of 20+ and it was nice that we had access to a Bose speaker and had full control over the music played in our space. From start to finish, the Benchmark team made the night feel special and seamless. It truly exceeded our expectations and was the perfect way to kick off our wedding week. We are so grateful to Gaylene, who helped us organize our private event, and the entire staff for their amazing service. read more

We swung by for lunch and left impressed especially with the food. The outdoor setup is chill with string lights and a relaxed patio vibe that makes you want to linger a bit. Food-wise, we sampled a few plates and everything hit the mark. My favorites were the spaghetti alle vongole, and the shishito peppers with pork belly, which had a great bite of smokiness. The rest of the menu seemed well-balanced and satisfying, too. The service felt friendly and effortless, like dining with friends who know the best spots in town. It's casual enough for a weekday lunch but polished enough to feel a little special. Bottom line: great food, nice outdoor ambiance, and a comfortable vibe. I'd definitely go back for more bites and that easygoing patio energy. read more

Benchmark - New American Near Me - Santa Ana, California

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Mark your calendars, and make that reservation to Benchmark, you will not regret it. What a quaint little gem Benchmark is! But don't let their serene atmosphere fool you, this is a popular little spot. We came for brunch with some girlfriends today, and our waiter informed us they had 200 reservations for the day. WOW! The outdoor restaurant is beautiful. Lots of greenery, open space, and a modern rustic feel. Their food comes out gorgeous! I felt almost bad digging into my açaí bowl, but that may have been the best açaí bowl I've ever tasted. My girlfriend ordered their smoked salmon flatbread, which also came out looking so fresh and delicious. I also requested for egg white with no butter, and they still tasted SO good. I am still thinking about Benchmark tonight writing this, to be honest. I cannot wait to return, especially for brunch so I can get their açaí bowl again (give it a try!). Be sure to make reservations, as the place fills up quick. read more

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Tried for the first time this week and was blown away! Everything from the food to the drinks to the ambiance was 10/10. Our server Joseph was great and steered us to some of his favorites and they did not disappoint! The gochujang fried chicken, artichoke fondue, and brussels sprouts were all standouts and must orders for the future. Can't wait to go back and hope to have Joseph taking care of us again. Two things to note, the restaurant is mostly outside so dress for the weather and no hard spirits (but some delicious beer, wine, and sake based cocktails!) read more