PROFILED BY DE GROOTS MEDIA
In the heart of Canberra’s CBD, just outside the Novotel, is the capital’s leader in wine knowledge serving over 100 wines by the glass and over 400 by the bottle. Their European-inspired cuisine is designed to complement the wines on offer, and the helpful and informative sommeliers are always ready for the trickiest questions. Benchmark also hosts a number of local, interstate and overseas wine evenings, where winemakers and wine lovers alike can mingle, sniff, sip and sample one of Australia’s widest range of oenological delights.
However, foodies are also catered for at Benchmark. They have a number of well-priced and well-designed set menus for functions and parties, which include wines carefully selected to match each dish. Their menu changes seasonally, to take advantage of the freshest produce, and can be ordered a la carte or sampled with a degustation menu – enjoyed with or without wine for each course. Benchmark’s light tapas menu may be more suited to the polished and trendy interior, and features delights such as chorizo with tzatziki or keftethes with a tomato and basil sauce, and coriander and lime calamari. And if you haven’t had enough wine, Benchmark also stocks a wide range of fortifieds, dessert wines and liqueurs if you’d prefer to drink dessert!
Russell Buzby, December 2008
DETAILS
Wine lovers should leave the car at home before taking on the Britannica-sized wine list at this sophisticated city bar.
There’s a staggering choice of styles, vintages and regions, but the really great news for both the connoisseurs and the curious is that around 100 of them are available by the glass.
FOOD & BEVERAGE
Plenty of wine is best enjoyed with plenty of food, so Benchmark has three menus to choose from depending on your appetite; order all-day snacks from the bar, have lunch or dinner to the tune of the a la carte menu or tackle the five course degustation. Greek Born chef Avraam Tsitiridis masterfully handles European flavours in a seasonal menu of simple, well constructed dishes. Starters may include a ragout of Queensland scallops and artichokes tossed with angel hair, followed by roasted eye fillet with a trio of peppers and sweet potato gratin. Sweet-tooths should head for the mango and passionfruit trifle (served with a selection of melon liqueurs if the wine hasn’t gotten to you yet), or if you’re still going on your gewurztraminer and beaujolais, try out the excellent cheese platter for two.
Degustation
Coffin Bay Oyster Natural with Champagne Vinaigrette
Pan fried meredith goat's cheese with semi dried tomatoes and an oregano balsamic syrup
Pan seared QLD scallops on roasted pork belly with a salsa vierge and aromatic herb oil
White farmed rabbit stifatho with slow cooked onions and bayleaves
Chargrilled eye fillet on a black truffle rosti and wilted leaves with grant burge shiraz jus
Tahitian vanilla bean creme brulee
$70 per person (without wine)- $105 per person (with wine – 110ml per course)
Benchmark specialise in matching food with wine, so when choosing the degustation let them recommend each wine with each course – enjoy the journey!
FUNCTIONS
Benchmark Wine Bar can accommodate a maximum of 70 guests dining. This capacity varies according to table configuration and layout. 120 guests for cocktail functions. Outdoor Seating catering up to 50 people.
SET MENUS (Available On Request)
There is a choice of 2 set menus with set prices respectively. A choice of cocktail menus and canapés is also available.
Set Menu 1
Two courses with wine $45.00
Set Menu 2
Three courses with wine $55.00 (min 10 people)
Cocktail Menu 1
$35 per person
Assiette de Charcuterie -Assorted European smallgoods and cold cuts with condiments and fresh seasonal seafood.
COCKTAIL MENU 2- $55 per person
Assiette de Charcuterie -Assorted European smallgoods and cold cuts with condiments and fresh seasonal seafood.
Assorted Australian and imported cheeses served with muscatel grapes and quince paste. Platters of patisseries and sweets.
Personal Statement
Australia Wine List of the Year Awards 2004 -3 glasses Winner - Tucker Seabrook
Top 10 Destinations in Australia For Food & Wine Benchmark Wine Bar ACT - Vinum Europas Weinmagazin
Australian Gourmet Traveller 2004 Restaurant Guide 2004/2005/2006 Benchmark Wine Bar - Highly Recommneded
Sydney Morning Herald Good Food Guide 2005/2006/2007/2008
Best European Restaurant 2005/2006 Restaurant and Catering Awards
