Benchmark Wine Bar - Canberra

We dropped in for lunch midweek and had the degustation menu with matching wines. Great meal and good knowledgable service. One of the best meals we have had in... read more We dropped in for lunch midweek and had the degustation menu with matching wines. Great meal and good knowledgable service. One of the best meals we have had in Canberra.

Our group of 4 spent $600 on the degustation menu, 2 out of 4 vomited that evening (and 1 wished to). We were in agreeance as to which section of the menu didn'... read more Our group of 4 spent $600 on the degustation menu, 2 out of 4 vomited that evening (and 1 wished to). We were in agreeance as to which section of the menu didn't sit well. The restaurant was contacted re this and our claim was promotly dismissed. Because of the restaurant's attitude to ourfood poisoning I am writing this review to warn other patrons.

I have been told I should go here since I arrive din Canberra in 2008. So I finally made it after 8 years - and wow, I have been missing great food and service.... read more I have been told I should go here since I arrive din Canberra in 2008. So I finally made it after 8 years - and wow, I have been missing great food and service. The waiter, English accent I think, was very welcoming, and efficient with a good knowledge of the menu and wine list (after, it is a wine bar). We had a number of dishes to share. Only two comments/suggestions - we were not showing/offered the daily list until we ordered dessert and saw that there was a menu for the night. The other is that there was a dish that I did not note had King Brown on them - King Brown what??? Turns out my eagle eyed dining companion saw them on the place just as I was about to eat one - a mushroom - which I am allergic to - the menu did make it difficult to read and make the connection. It could have become a very messy restaurant very quickly. I intend to make this the first place I eat on my next trip to Canberra to explore the wine list ad the menu further.  MUST EAT HERE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

What a relaxed and inviting spot! The service was excellent, and the staff were wonderful. And that gnocchi—it's officially my new favorite dish! read more What a relaxed and inviting spot! The service was excellent, and the staff were wonderful. And that gnocchi—it's officially my new favorite dish!

This restaurant and bar is excellent, excelling in every aspect. They offer a wonderful selection of appetizers, mouthwatering main courses, and delightful dess... read more This restaurant and bar is excellent, excelling in every aspect. They offer a wonderful selection of appetizers, mouthwatering main courses, and delightful desserts. Be sure to try the appetizers, such as oysters, prosciutto-wrapped scallops, and sashimi—each one is delicious, light, and bursting with flavor. The waitstaff are friendly and eager to provide recommendations, and they can craft drinks tailored to your preferences. Don’t hesitate to challenge them to create something special for you; you’ll be pleasantly surprised. The atmosphere is very relaxed, and the location is conveniently situated at the corner of Northbourne Avenue and Rudd Street.