Lunch at Benchmark
Benchmark is a cozy little place in Park Slope just off the main drag of 4th Avenue. The restaurant has a gorgeous canopy out front and a tiny but cute bar inside, not to mention one of the best prix-fix deals in town. Benchmark offers a three course lunch with options like Lobster Bisque, Braised Beef Short Rib and Pan Seared Crab Cakes for the incredible price of $18. I was eyeing the Lobster Bisque but then I read the full description of the salad and was completely won over. Organic Seasonal Lettuces with crisp yuca, radish confit, goat cheese and truffle vinaigrette.
I can't pass up anything with truffle these days and this dressing was just what I love... strong earthy truffles mixed with big dollops of creamy goat cheese...the perfect pairing. Onto entree the Benchmark Burger with hand cut fries and homemade fixins.
The burger comes with your choice of cheese and they place it directly on the bottom bun of the burger rather than on top of the meat, a practice I don't usually enjoy but here it actually worked. The Gruyere stood up to the bread instead of melting inside like a blue or cheddar and the top bun was used to keep the burger in a salty, buttery hug.
The fries were all different sizes and shapes so I dug out the crisp skinny ones. The only thing I didn't really love was the Spicy Ketchup which had a much more "sweet" flavor than "spicy".
Dessert was probably the most difficult decision of all...there was the White Chocolate Strawberry Bread Pudding (easily would have been Mr. T's choice is he had joined me), their famous Cookie Dough Eggroll with Miso Caramel and Espresso Gelato and finally my choice the Triple Chocolate Martini with Dark, Milk and White Chocolate Custards, Chocolate Cake and Dulce de Leche Ice Cream.
I really don't think you could go wrong with any of the choices here and for only $18 your wallet should still be happily full as well.
Benchmark Restaurant
339 2nd Street between 4th & 5th Avenue
Park Slope, NY 11215
I can't pass up anything with truffle these days and this dressing was just what I love... strong earthy truffles mixed with big dollops of creamy goat cheese...the perfect pairing. Onto entree the Benchmark Burger with hand cut fries and homemade fixins.
The burger comes with your choice of cheese and they place it directly on the bottom bun of the burger rather than on top of the meat, a practice I don't usually enjoy but here it actually worked. The Gruyere stood up to the bread instead of melting inside like a blue or cheddar and the top bun was used to keep the burger in a salty, buttery hug.
The fries were all different sizes and shapes so I dug out the crisp skinny ones. The only thing I didn't really love was the Spicy Ketchup which had a much more "sweet" flavor than "spicy".
Dessert was probably the most difficult decision of all...there was the White Chocolate Strawberry Bread Pudding (easily would have been Mr. T's choice is he had joined me), their famous Cookie Dough Eggroll with Miso Caramel and Espresso Gelato and finally my choice the Triple Chocolate Martini with Dark, Milk and White Chocolate Custards, Chocolate Cake and Dulce de Leche Ice Cream.
I really don't think you could go wrong with any of the choices here and for only $18 your wallet should still be happily full as well.
Benchmark Restaurant
339 2nd Street between 4th & 5th Avenue
Park Slope, NY 11215
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