Benjamin On Franklin

Farewelling a colleague brought us to Benjamin on Franklin this Friday lunch. This lovely bohemian style pub might not appeal to everyone, but I found it rather fetching. Decorated with bygone pieces, decked with vintage furniture and art pieces, it has a certain appeal. They also have a beer garden with booths for the warmer weather which is fast approaching.
Service was standard, nothing of note. Their menu offerings includes standard pub favourites such as schnitzels and burgers. Price-​wise, it is on the expensive end, so those on a budget should come on the days with lunchtime specials. I had the grilled barramundi which was nice, the chips and salad made up the sides. I must admit the chips was super crunchy, a highlight of the meal. My colleagues had meals which included pork burgers, a penne pasta (special of day), salt and pepper squid and schnitzels. All looked appetising in its presentation.
There were 13 of us and I was pleased and impressed that all meals came out around the same time, it is definitely a very important point worth commending.
Will come back for the chips!

On of the cool things about Unilocal is that it is encouraging me to go and check out places that I normally wouldn’t visit, particularly if they are a little of out of the way. The Benjamin on Franklin has been around for quite a while but ironically I’d never been here (and in fact I had never known about it despite spending my formative years in Adelaide). So, one evening when I caught up with a friend I decided to go a check it out. Well, it’s a pretty classy little establishment, so it probably isn’t the type of place I would regularly visit. However it has a really nice beer garden out the back, some nice dining rooms, and of course a local selection of beers on tap. That, I’d have to say was the one thing that impressed me about this place because all too often you just get the standard offerings and don’t have the opportunity to try something new.

Love this place, its really cool.
Went to the cocktail party NYE — great fun and well set up with fantastic music
Food is sensational and well priced
The staff are very attentive and friendly, no very common in most hotels of this age
I highly recommend you go here for a drink or 2 or some delicious food.

I’m always impressed with this place. It’s gorgeous inside and out. Food is good and it’s just consistent. I love it and will always recommend it =)

This is a very nice place for a pub.
Their high tea was very nice. Sandwiches are made to perfection, cut into quarter sized squares. Horseradish, tomato and roast beef was my favourite.
The pastries were good, I must admit I prefer savoury pastries though.
The vegetarian frittata was amazing. I loved it. A great amount of veggies but it was still light.
Décor is very nice and for high tea we were all dressed in smart attire.
Was a lovely afternoon for a high tea.
Some of our party needed gluten a free diet and they were well catered for with multiple options

BANG ON!
souled out sundays! cool Djs in their awesome beer garden
the food is amazing!
cool place in a quieter part of the city.
easy parking

A friend of mine recently had an engagement party here, and yes, I whole heartedly agree that the renovation is beautiful.
But.
And it’s a big one.
People who like big butts wouldn’t even care for the size of this but.
But the staff. There’s honestly no excuse. We had a pretty on the ball guy behind the bar. But other than that, the staff couldn’t care less, they were rude and had zero time for the bride and the groom to be. Arriving early to do bits and pieces I was made to feel wholly unwelcome, and one of the ladies was a bit standoffish that people needed to be let on a few hours before the party to set up. Not something sprung on her that day. Pretty common.
Honestly I’m not even going to go into details, it’s hospitality.
If you don’t like people, get a new job.
The food was okay, we just had platters, but they were good platters.
This place will be amazing.
When they get new staff.

What beautiful old pub. I real must see and experience the historical collectables on the main dining rooms.
Food was lovely. I had the beef ribs which just melted in your mouth serviced with good old fashioned coleslaw. This combination worked extremely well.

I had an excellent time here!
I booked a space in the beer garden in advance for a social get together and it went very smoothly. I was able to book the whole thing over email (which is awesome, as far as I’m concerned) but I’d say it would be quite easy to do on the phone as well. There was no booking fee and I was given a list of group platters in advance so we could organise to have them if we chose.
I love the set up of the place, the whole pub is decorated beautifully and artistically inside and out. It is definitely one of the nicest beer gardens I have ever seen. The vibe of the place is quite classy, but it still feels like a pub. Not overly pretensious or self aware and I felt quite at ease there.
The staff were really delightful and took good care of us throughout the night. They made good recommendations for drinks and checked up on us to see that things were going well, made sure we knew when the kitchen would be closing and all that jazz.
Can’t wait to go back!

Benjamin surprised me and my family the weeknight we went here to eat. I’d been here once before for drinks and the food menu hadn’t looked too inspiring on that occasion so we had moved on.
I was originally thinking about giving this place four stars but then I had to remember; it’s essentially a pub, not a restaurant. Everything here is put together that well that you’d be forgiven for thinking it was a restaurant with a front bar tacked on. For the slightly-​more-​than-​average-​pub-​pricing the standard of service and the food quality here is really top notch.
The by the glass wine list is really well weighted and there’ll be something from SA for everyone in there, all top rated, reasonable priced picks too. Someone with a good amount of knowledge has put this together. The boutique beer list is lengthy and has everyone covered too; it’s not quite Wheatsheaf exhaustive but it’s well and truly enough.
The meals though were great. My mum and wife had their fish of the day (Salmon if I remember) and they both remarked that it was a good quality cut and cooked perfectly. My brother had a steak on mash and was impressed too.
There was a fire roaring and people quietly enjoying a few drinks in the lounge next to us as we ate.
All in all a great setting, great wine and beer selection and solid, well priced food. I’d highly recommend the Benjamin for the start of a night out — cocktails, wine, and finger food or for a casual, chilled out meal or meet up point with a few drinks on a weeknight.

A business lunch on Monday… Not normally a recipe for successful dining. We’d reached time for a break shortly after midday and, as it was near and I’d had a reasonably good Christmas lunch there a couple of years ago, I suggested the Benjemin.
For those that haven’t visited, it seems to have developed a bit of a reputation for a great location but average service and food.
Let’s deal with location first. At the west end of Franklin Street, it’s not somewhere that you’re likely to stumble across by accident, not overflowing with kerb appeal, it isn’t until you go inside that the wow factor hits. Ignoring the tacky but probably necessary gaming room off to one side, you get one of the best pub layouts in Adelaide with an eclectic mix of drinking and dining areas that seem to have just grown organically without any coherent theme or design. It shouldn’t work, but it does — brilliantly. Interior designers probably hate this place and need to go and lay down in a darkened room for a while after visiting. I head for the lounge area — a small number of tables, comfy armchairs, open fire — an old-​fashioned club feel, love it.
Service? I can’t really comment, I can see that there may be an issue, there was only one member of staff covering the bar and serving at table but, as we had the place pretty much to ourselves, this wasn’t a problem — service was attentive, knowledgeable and quick.
They have a reasonable wine list and a terrific range of beers — try the Haighs chocolate stout if they still carry it when you visit.
I’ve left the most important part, the food, until last. I was impressed. I went for the Argentinian burger from the regular menu, the rest of the group all went with the Salmon on the daily special board. The burger was an interesting variation on the norm; perfectly cooked, chargrilled and medium — nice and pink in the middle. The only criticism was that it didn’t hold together very well which suggests a lower than normal fat content. Served with a piquant but not overpoweringly hot salsa and lemon mayo in a pitta bread pocket — a great idea as a regular burger bun would have been very messy indeed. The salmon, I was assured by my party, was also of a very high standard.
Nagging doubt about how they would have coped with a rush of customers but I’ll certainly be returning.

I attended a ‘cocktail’ night upstairs in a function room. The décor is gorgeous. Very stylish. I want the chandelier. Bad. We also had a balcony just to ourselves. As a space for small functions it is perfect.
The problem I had was with the food and service. The bartender himself was doing as much as he could with the resources he had but it was just a shambles.
Cocktails had to be made downstairs which would be fine if we weren’t there for a cocktail night. 45 people all trying at once to order a cocktail that had to be brought up from downstairs was just chaos. Not to mention trying to get the drinks (after an unreasonable wait) to the person who had actually ordered them. People ended up with the wrong drinks, some went missing and most people just switched to wine and beer.
Having said that — the drinks themselves were sensational. We tried every single one on the menu and I would recommend them all. They were unique and well thought out combinations and the names on the menu were cute. Though I am never a fan of the word ‘bitch’ on a menu no matter how good the pun.
The food was meant to be platters. The first 2 were spring rolls that sat barely touched for hours until people simply got too hungry waiting for an alternative. The vol au vents were awful. Like putting a lump of cardboard in your mouth. Then respite — a platter of scrumptious prawns. But alas, there were not many on the plate and people inhaled them the minute they came out. The little party pies were okay. I asked the waitress if there was a difference between the different looking pies and she said it was just decoration. Wrong! One was chicken, one was beef. If you don’t know the answer say so. Then some cheese and dips which was alright.
The complimentary coffee machine was not working and staff got quite annoyed at being asked if it was going to be fixed. Eventually we were told if we want coffee to order and pay for it.
Having said all of that, I did have a really good night. If you are thinking of having a function there, order more food than you think you will need. And don’t bother if you intend on drinking cocktails all night.

We ended up here because The Franklin (up the road) was closed. You know those bar staff that do the bare minimum? If not, you’ll find a few of them here. I’m not super demanding or needy, I just expect service. Not outstanding service, just regular service where I don’t have to ask for everything.
Anyway, we were seated, explained he specials and given menus. The waiter wasn’t bad and left with an appropriately cheeky «I’ll let you know about the dessert specials after your meal». I modified and ordered the only vegan dish on the menu — mushroom risotto (surprise!!), mates ordered roo schnitzel and mussels.
My risotto (or should I say: bowl of pepper with a side of rice) was average. The roo was over cooked and chargrilled asparagus was limp and also over cooked. The meal was drowning in the jus and seemed a bit amateur. The schnitzel was fine, as we’re the mussels. It seemed like the head chef had the night off and the apprentice was left to hold down the forte.
Our dishes were finally cleared and we didn’t hear anything else from the waiter until a few minutes to 9pm when we were told to order our dessert or not at all. Where were those scripting dessert specials? No idea.
The décor is beautiful, the renovation is truly spectacular. Hopefully the service and food will catch up soon.

Where do I find myself for dinner one random Sunday night, having vowed never to eat there again? The Benjamin on Franklin of course. Take two.
Before placing my order I asked the manager to check with the kitchen as to what they could knock up for me. This wasn’t necessary, he knew of three vegan options: a salad, a stir fry or tempura vegetables. I went the stir fry. (I was really pleased that they were more organised this time around and actually had a few set vegan options; thought not on the menu.)
So how was this veggie stir fry? Average I am afraid. It was a big bowl of saucy stir fried vegetables. No rice. No noodles. Just fatally crispy vermicelli noodles placed tall on top as a garnish /​texture. It was good value, don’t get me wrong. But it needed something to break it up. Three quarters through and I couldn’t handle anymore. It was rich and salty, and really needed a pile of rice to soak up the sea of sauce. They tried, I suppose.
++++ VEGAN FRIENDLINESS — Better than last visit. They have (had?) three options: a vegetable stir fry, tempura vegetables and a summer salad.

I was not expecting Benjamin on Franklin to be as good as this! The décor in the pub area is very cool — fantastically shabby chaise longue, lots of old photos on the wall. Wine list extensive, so they get extra points for that.
The restaurant area is lovely too — and the food is incredible! My partner and I both had the Spinach & Ricotta Ravioli with sage and lemon butter and baby spinach — to die for! Wow!
We’ll definitely be back ;)

I’m a sucker for puns and this place automatically won me over with it’s name. And then you walk inside…
This has to be the most decadent, beautiful, and straight up swanky place in town. I’ll begin with the décor because it’s my favourite part. The front bar is full of different vintage chairs, which follows back to an open fire that reminds me of the Griffindor common room. Further back you will walk through a very posh looking room where you will need to look up at the amazing art innovation of glasses individually strung in a ripple pattern above the dining area. And to put the cherry on the already amazing place, the outside area is the cutest haven I have ever been to. Fake grass, cute white tables and chairs with red flowers donning them, and some booths filed with beautiful plants and cushions. So much detail has gone into the design of this place and I very much appreciate every bit of it.
The food is also divine. I suggest trying their burger, which is delicious and is accompanied by some darn good chips. I haven’t been there to drink and party yet but it’s definitely on my to do list.

Another fan of this hotel right here.
The best thing about this place for me is the service. Oh my, I don’t think I’ve ever had better service than I’ve had here. And I know it wasn’t a fluke as it’s like that everytime.
Since the renovations, the place looks amazing. I loved it here before, but now I love it even more.

The first time I came here after it got renovated, I didn’t order for about half an hour; I was too busy admiring how fabulous it all looked!
The beer garden is quite possibly one of my favourite spots in Adelaide. I mean, the furniture is adorable, the booths (which apparently you have to book and pay a deposit for) look spectacular, the dining room and front bar look like a scene out of Gossip Girl.
What I love most is the extravagant crystals hanging from the ceiling — just beautiful. The previous two reviews pretty much said it all — the décor is just amazingly romantic and detailed, you feel like a million dollars sitting out there all decked out in that mad beer garden.
This place is filled with suits, by the way. Oh, and the staff are all so adorably fashionable! One waitress had half her head shaved, thick eyeliner, bright red lipstick, black ballet flats and a mini black tutu on. Fabulous.

Benjamin on Franklin is perhaps the most extravagantly rennovated hotel in the city of Adelaide.
No expense has been spared on chandeliers, ornate furniture and a bejazzled bar. They even have an english tea garden complete with individual foutoned and flywired booths and a bowling green decked with pettite picknic tables set with red roses.
Needless to say Benjiman’s resonates with the young proffessional crowd, who flock in droves on friday nights, still in work attire and who mingle seamlessly with the furnitue.
However, somewhat surprisingly, the staff at Benjamin on Franklin, are somewhat left of centre in terms of appearance and it is rare to see a waiter or bar person there who does not have some sort of piercing or chunk shaved out of their hair.
I must say it is quite delightful to sit down to dine within an ambiance of 18^th century English opulance, only to be served by a punk.

I officially know what all of the fuss is about.
After the Benjamin on Franklin Hotel got renovated last year there was a great deal of carry-​on, hoo-​hah and general bulderdash. Being a stubborn cow I tend to do the opposite of what people say, so of course I didn’t go. And this is just another example of a pig-​headed fool learning a tough lesson, because this could be the best looking bar in Adelaide.
If you haven’t gone get in your car right now. I mean call a cab, you pisshead. Sitting out in the beer garden is like being proposed to on a beautiful tropical island. It’s romantic and relaxed and glorious. I drank a glass of wine with my boyfriend in there last night and felt like some gorgeous dame being wooed on The Bachelorette.
Am I exaggerating? See for yourself. The service: amazing, the dining room: amazing, the front bar: amazing, the atrium lighting and crystal installation: amazing.
I’m going to have my thirtieth birthday in that beer garden. In fact, I’m going to get my Wall Street on and just permanantly occupy the damn place. You’ll see what I mean.