Benchmark Restaurant

We enjoyed the three-course tasting menu at Benchmark! Our server Pauline was incredibly helpful in explaining the different dishes and helping us decide what to select. The food was absolutely delicious. So many delicious and unique flavours! I enjoyed the Cornish Hen, the Winter Chicory Salad and the Sticky Toffee Pudding. The sourdough bread was also so incredibly fresh and delicious. This was a fantastic opportunity to try unique dishes at an affordable price while supporting our local students. The future of the Niagara culinary world is bright!

Ordered: 3 Course Tasting Menu French Onion Soup Confit Cornish Hen Bannoffee Soup was to die for, nice sweet & umami. Topped with perfectly torched cheese and chives. Would get again. The Hen was beautifully plated with Sunchokes, parsnip purée & lentils. I have never had sunchokes before and they were delicious, like a fluffy, crisp potato. The plate was very filling, perfect for a cold winter day. The Bannoffee was exceptional, you can tell it was made in house. My Server checked up on me many times and was professional. Keeping in mind Benchmark is a teaching kitchen with student employees. I would recommend Benchmark as a great spot for lunch if you work in the area.

Some issues, but it is a teaching restaurant so that is to be expected while students are learning. Some of the food and service was exceptional and some needed a little bit more work.

A great dining experience. Exceptional atmosphere and ambiance. Have been several times and will go there again.

A lunch with a dear friend was enhanced by this lovely restaurant. Our server, Monika was a total bonus! Highly recommend! 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

This was our first experience at BenchMark and we were simply overly impressed with the dining experience and overall Value!!!

Food was delicious. Service was good. Staff are all students at the college with this restaurant setting being their first time serving on the floor of the restaurant, so it shows. I decided to order the prix fixe menu which was great for the price. I asked for a recommendation from the server who was taking care of me. He recommended the Bibb Lettuce salad, then the Steak Frites, and then the cheesecake. The salad was delicious though a little less dressing would have been better. The Steak Frites was cooked to my temperature request and the fries were perfect. However, when I asked for ketchup and mayonnaise on the side for the fries I was told by the maitre D that they didn't offer it because the chefs wanted the guest to enjoy the dish "as it was intended". I very much disagree with this notion for this particular dish. It's one thing if this was a Michelin rated restaurant with tasting menu but the last time I checked, any french bistro or steak house can offer this with no issue. I think it degrades the idea of hospitality which is what I was hoping for for potential restaurant people. It's been several days but this impression stayed with me so i have to report this. Further didn't help that they brought out the a tart instead of the cheese cake. Not everything in service should be black & white. It would be a disservice to the chef and guests equally.

Best dining experience my friend and I have had in a long while! The meal was outstanding on every count, the staff very attentive! All of this with the gorgeous Niagara Escarpment and bench as a backdrop. A showstopper for sure! Many thanks, we'll be back!

Fantastic concept for the college. More learning institutes should do this. Love the local farm to table and supporting students and local economy. Food is excellent.

Had their 3 course lunch and every bite was delicious and the server was knowledgeable and friendly throughout the meal. Highly recommend this restaurant

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

The servers were liovelybut so nervous. Appetizer order was wrong for one, we were never asked if we's like wine and the shrimp main wasn't booked enough. Some pieces of my steak were as ordered, MR, and some were more rare. When asking what the 2nd of the three desserts were, as I remembered the first two, the waitress had to bring us a menu. In fairness they were first year students.

This was a very enjoyable lunch engagement.. Student servers were courteous and knowledgeable, the food was excellent and served in a timely manner. We did not feel rushed. Also the pricing was very reasonable and the college's wine and beer was excellent. We also purchased two bottles of wine to bring home Will definitely return, in fact we purchased a gift card for our friends for Christmas so they can also enjoy the experience. Thank you !

The best tomato salad we've ever tasted. The "catch of the day" was a smoked fish that was rubbery. I exchanged it for the chicken which was good. They were careful of my foods intollerences (gluten and lactose). The desserts were top notch. The student Servers were excellent. Every seat had a great view of the college vineyard. Parking was free (if you book a day ahead). All in all, it was a great backdrop for our visit together.

Our choice of Benchmark for a birthday luncheon was perfect. We were not in a hurry and looked forward to our first time visit. We wish all the students well on their career paths in the culinary and hospitality fields. We will definitely return for another unhurried special luncheon. Thank you.

It was a marvelous experience, great scenic view from the restaurant, handcrafted beers, and house made wines. Definitely I would recommend this place others.