The Benjamin Hollywood — Restaurant in Los Angeles

Step into The Benjamin and be enveloped by a sophisticated ambiance. The bar, a focal point of the restaurant, is an arrangement of polished wood and sparkling glassware, a testament to their commitment to both style and substance.

I had the pleasure of planting myself at the bar where the bartenders were more than just drink mixers; they were crafting cocktails with precision and grace. Befriending them was the best decision of the night—not only for the conversation but for the complimentary homemade chocolate squares that appeared at the end of the meal. But more on that later.

Let’s start with the hamachi crudo, a dish that could easily be the poster child for "fresh." The delicate, thin slices of yellowtail draped in passion fruit paired with dapple dandy pluot and thai basil, which provided a refreshing herbaceous counterpoint. The crudo was a burst of bright flavors—like a summer breeze in edible form.

Next up, the gem salad with its little gem lettuce was crisp and full of life. Each leaf cradling the soft herbs and thinly sliced radishes with a champagne dijon vinaigrette.

Then came the benjamin burger. This is the epitome of a restaurant burger that every place should aspire to replicate. The new school american cheese melted like a velvet blanket over the beef, while the carmelized onion added a sweetness that balanced the pickles. My only gripe? More pickles, please! The fries, served with a side of ketchup and aioli, were magnificent—warm, golden, crispy.

As for dessert, the homemade chocolates were a sweet surprise, a gesture that was as endearing as it was delicious. It was the kind of chocolate that makes you close your eyes and smile.

Let’s not forget the cocktails. The old forester bourbon, served as a classic old fashioned, housed just the right amount of sweetness, a hint of bitterness, and that unmistakable bourbon warmth. The el tesoro blanco, a twist on a classic margarita, was a refreshing and flavorful cocktail tempered by the tang of lime and the subtle salinity of the rim.

The service? A-plus, first class. The staff was attentive without hovering, polite without pretense, and abundant enough that you never had to wait for anything. It's clear that The Benjamin takes pride in not just the food but in creating an experience that makes you feel valued...

I've found my Cheers. From the moment I walk in to The Benjamin's art deco, New York vibe, through the end of the evening goodbyes, this place hits on all cylinders. The friendly doorman, welcoming host, and well trained attentive servers and staff are only surpassed by the flavorful food options. I have been fortunate enough to get in several times and am asked constantly by friends, family, and clients when we can go together as I over share what my family style meals at The Benjamin have been. Here are some of my favorites:

Drinks: Ben's Martini, Mescal Daisy (think mezcal martini), and the margarita have hit my table repeatedly. As have their extensive list of after dinner drinks/digestifs. Looking forward to exploring the wine list next.

Dinner: -Parker house rolls. I want to take the butter home! -Deviled eggs are a must. The crispy capers are the cherry on top of this dish. And if there are more than three of you dining, you can order an extra egg so no one is left out. -Gem salad is my go to, but the wedge is running a close second. -I've had every main - the burger with full grilled onion slice on the bottom finishes every bite with delight, the waygu with a peppercorn sauce that I want to dunk the Parker house rolls into, the branzino with its crispy skin, and the chicken with an herb chimichurri I wish I could bottle, all are executed to perfection. *Twice baked potato. Add lardon. Can't stop ordering this.

Dessert: There have been two options: chocolate chip cookies that melt in the middle and pair finely with the fresh whipped cream they are served with and carrot cake. And while I will eat a chocolate chip cookie any day of the week, don't sleep on that carrot cake.

Whether solo at the bar, or with a group of five, I can't get enough. Go to The Benjamin with a big appetite, a few friends, and share the menu. Let me know if I can join you!

**Update: The Benjamin continues to hit. The food, the drinks, the scene all combine for a wonderful night out. And they've added chicken wings to the menu that we ate too...

Had heard about The Benjamin from some friends and saw some pictures of the food and decided we had to give this a try. Off the Resy to ATTEMPT to find a reservation that wasn’t either 5PM or 10PM…this took a while. Finally was able to find an 8PM opening and jumped on it! The outside doorman was very pleasant and greeted us as we arrived and lead us in.

First impression, the space is very nice and kind of has a speak-easy vibe. Dim lighting with tight spaces where tables were. The hostess took us to our table and they are definitely using every possible inch to get tables in. The first option would have had me sitting in the persons lap next to me so I asked we could switch to another more open area table and they accommodated happily.

Next we peruse the menu to see many tasty options though we had already agreed one of us (there are two of us) had to get to burger. The waiter arrived, another pleasant experience to take our order. We grabbed some drinks from the seasonal menu and awaited our food. The drinks were VERY tasty and I would happily enjoy more of them.

Our food arrived and while I got the burger she got another dish which was delicious! Apologies I cannot remember what it was called but it was a tasty meat dish with brussel sprouts. Highly recommend both the burger and meat dish.

Long story short, this is a very nice date spot that serves up a feeling of old Hollywood speak easy with modern flavors that definitely worth a second visit. A word of caution, your bill can EASILY creep up there with two drink, appetizers and entree so be prepared. Also I am a bigger guy (6’8” 300lb) so be aware their tables of two are very tightly packed. So come with a bigger group and get a booth if possible. That’s what I...