Benchmark - Oakland

This pizza and pasta restaurant on 9th Street is a hidden gem. Housed in a quirky old building with charming interior details, it offers a diverse lunch menu fi... read more This pizza and pasta restaurant on 9th Street is a hidden gem. Housed in a quirky old building with charming interior details, it offers a diverse lunch menu filled with appetizers, main dishes, and cocktails. Everyone in our large group was pleased with their meal, especially the butternut squash soup and the pizzas. The service was outstanding, and although it may not be the cheapest option, the quality of the food makes it a great value. I wholeheartedly recommend this spot for a delightful lunch experience.

I thoroughly enjoyed my experience with the fried sage pizza topped with sausage; it was incredibly delicious! The pizza is generous in size, easily serving 2 t... read more I thoroughly enjoyed my experience with the fried sage pizza topped with sausage; it was incredibly delicious! The pizza is generous in size, easily serving 2 to 3 people, and the large Caesar salad makes an excellent starter for the same group. The service was attentive and friendly. The bar atmosphere contributes to the charm of this cozy restaurant, so I suggest making reservations. While street parking is limited, it's just a short 2-block walk from the Oakland Courtyard Marriott hotel.

The staff is welcoming, and the food is fantastic, with the added bonus of outdoor seating. We went there for lunch specifically to sample the chicken sandwich,... read more The staff is welcoming, and the food is fantastic, with the added bonus of outdoor seating. We went there for lunch specifically to sample the chicken sandwich, and it did not disappoint! The brioche bun is hard to resist, and the crunchy purple cabbage slaw with just a hint of mayo truly enhanced the flavors. A great tip: be sure to try the house-made hot sauce with your sandwich! The pizza had a deliciously chewy crust that I really appreciated, complemented by a nice char. We ordered the roasted sage pizza, and it was amazing! This restaurant is a great addition to the neighborhood.

Awesome Pizza place in Old Oakland. Shot up to near the top of my favorite wood-fired pizzas in the area. Crisp thin crust with just enough chew. Sauce was brig... read more Awesome Pizza place in Old Oakland. Shot up to near the top of my favorite wood-fired pizzas in the area. Crisp thin crust with just enough chew. Sauce was bright and fresh. Kids love the homemade lime cordial soda. Salami calabrian chili pizza was spicy and flavorful. Lemon ricotta donuts were a great finish and they serve my favorite brand coffee, Red Bay.

Tasty, but everything's small. The pizza is for one to one and a half people, and costs $20. It's pretty good though. I had the benchmark with sausage. Cocktail... read more Tasty, but everything's small. The pizza is for one to one and a half people, and costs $20. It's pretty good though. I had the benchmark with sausage. Cocktail was also good, as were brussel sprouts... Just... Much less food than I thought i was buying.