Beni’s California Cuisine — Restaurant in Anderson

If you live in the North State you MUST eat at Beni's! We've been in Redding for 3 1/2 years and in reality, Redding is a good food desert. There are few good restaurants and none that are great since Moonstone and Norm's closed. We almost didn't dine out because the pickens are slim and we have been going to the same places repeatedly. I heard about Beni's from a media report and suggested we try it.

DO NOT be swayed by the outside of Beni's. The inside has been remodeled and refreshed. It's the food that is the main attraction, anyway. The chef worked at two well known Redding restaurants and decided to open his own place. That's a brave move and I applaud him for starting in a smaller, reasonable lease priced location. His reputation will build and when his current lease is up I'm certain he will get a better location.

My wife had the ravioli, and she is a high bar when it comes to pasta. "It's the best ravioli I've had since we moved to California. That means she liked it better than places in Sac, Healdsburg, Napa, and San Fran, to name a few.

I had a burger and fries. It was a perfect medium rare, and the fries were crisp, not salty, and hot. We split the lava cake. Loved it! I'm not sure where he gets his vanilla ice cream, but it was excellent.

The value for the prices was better than anything in Redding.

And lastly. Amber, our hostess/server. She is a buddle of energy and happiness. She was attentive but not hovering. She gave insight on the menu choices and got our order (I'm high maintenance!) right the first time. Amber gave us the background on Beni and it was obvious she has enormous respect for him, his cooking, his plan, and leadership. She was seeking in future tense when she told us how long the lease was and what he planned if Beni's was successful in Anderson.

Try Beni's...you will not be disappointed! We'll go back and be loyal diners as he builds his brand...

We found this little spot and decided to give it a shot. Im so happy we did! Wife got cheese ravioli, mother in law got the chicken sandwich and I had the chicken fettuccine . First, I tried the dressing that came with the salad. Ive never had anything quite like it and it was amazing You can tell the food is fresh and homemade (yes, even the pastas) and made with love, its so good! Hands down best fettuccine I've had in a long time. We also ordered garlic bread and garlic fries. This was special to me. I like garlic bread and fries, but most Places, when you order those things, its just bread or fries smothered in butter and with enough garlic that its all you can taste .. these were made right! Yes, you taste garlic and butter, as a seasoning, the flavor is there, but you also taste the other ingredients as well. Friendly staff, waiter (i cant remember his name!) Was fast, friendly and made sure we were taken care of. Great experience,...

So… I thought I knew what brunch was. I thought I’d seen it all - eggs, bacon, a mimosa or two. But then came Beni… and now I realize I’ve been living a lie.

My family and I wandered in on a random Tuesday, expecting a decent meal. What we got was a full-blown flavor intervention. Let’s talk about that lemon shrimp risotto - I’m still emotionally recovering. Creamy, citrusy, perfectly cooked shrimp - each bite was like being hugged by a gourmet angel. I honestly considered standing up and applauding mid-bite.

And the French toast with chutney?? Who even thinks of that? Beni, apparently. The chutney was so good I was this close to asking if I could bathe in it.

Bottom line: Beni is a culinary rockstar. If you’re not brunching at Beni’s, you’re just eating breakfast. And frankly,...