Benchmark Pizzeria

Pizza restaurant · Thousand Oaks

Benchmark Pizzeria

Pizza restaurant · Thousand Oaks

3

1568 Oak View Ave, Kensington, CA 94706

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Benchmark Pizzeria by Benchmark Pizzeria
Benchmark Pizzeria by Benchmark Pizzeria
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Benchmark Pizzeria by null
Benchmark Pizzeria by null
Benchmark Pizzeria by null
Benchmark Pizzeria by null
Benchmark Pizzeria by null
Benchmark Pizzeria by null
Benchmark Pizzeria by null
Benchmark Pizzeria by null
Benchmark Pizzeria by null
Benchmark Pizzeria by null
Benchmark Pizzeria by null
Benchmark Pizzeria by null
Benchmark Pizzeria by null
Benchmark Pizzeria by null
Benchmark Pizzeria by null
Benchmark Pizzeria by null
Benchmark Pizzeria by null
Benchmark Pizzeria by null
Benchmark Pizzeria by null
Benchmark Pizzeria by null
Benchmark Pizzeria by null
Benchmark Pizzeria by null
Benchmark Pizzeria by null
Benchmark Pizzeria by null
Benchmark Pizzeria by null
Benchmark Pizzeria by null
Benchmark Pizzeria by null
Benchmark Pizzeria by null
Benchmark Pizzeria by null
Benchmark Pizzeria by null
Benchmark Pizzeria by null
Benchmark Pizzeria by null
Benchmark Pizzeria by null
Benchmark Pizzeria by null
Benchmark Pizzeria by null
Benchmark Pizzeria by null
Benchmark Pizzeria by null
Benchmark Pizzeria by null
Benchmark Pizzeria by null
Benchmark Pizzeria by null
Benchmark Pizzeria by null
Benchmark Pizzeria by null
Benchmark Pizzeria by null

Highlights

Rustic pick for artisanal Neapolitan pies, starters, pastas & soft-serve ice cream plus beer & wine.  

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1568 Oak View Ave, Kensington, CA 94706 Get directions

benchmarkpizzeria.com
@benchmark_pizzeria510

$$ · Menu

Information

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1568 Oak View Ave, Kensington, CA 94706 Get directions

+1 510 368 2855
benchmarkpizzeria.com
@benchmark_pizzeria510
𝕏
@Benchmark_Pizza

$$ · Menu

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dine in
takeout
delivery
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reservations
outdoor seating

Last updated

Mar 4, 2025

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@eater

"Among the several wood-fired pizza options in the East Bay, Benchmark is one of the best. The crust is superb even when reheated, and the wide selection of local veggies and herbs that adorn the pizzas is impressive. Any pizzeria that tops pizza with fried sage is doing something correctly, and Benchmark is one of those places. The shop also serves excellent antipasti and pastas." - Dianne de Guzman, Noah Cho

17 Saucy Pizzerias to Love in the East Bay
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@eater

"Benchmark Pizzeria, a small East Bay wood-fire pizza restaurant, owned by Melissa and Peter Swanson, encountered an issue with Groupon reactivating an old coupon without their consent. The restaurant, known for its ingredient-focused, Cal-Italian style pizza, had a previous negative experience with Groupon customers who did not fully appreciate the restaurant's offerings. The involuntary reactivation led to angry customers demanding half-price meals and created additional stress for the restaurant, which is already struggling during the pandemic." - Luke Tsai

Groupon Reactivated an Eight-Year-Old Coupon Without This East Bay Pizzeria’s Consent - Eater SF
View Postcard for Benchmark Pizzeria
@eater

"Benchmark’s original Kensington location is offering its full menu of pizzas, pastas, and other Cal-Italian dishes for takeout 4:30–9 p.m. Soft-serve ice cream and bottles of wine are also available. Order online, call 510-647-9724 to set up curbside pickup, or get delivery via Caviar." - Luke Tsai

East Bay Restaurants Open for Takeout and Delivery During the Coronavirus Shutdown - Eater SF
View Postcard for Benchmark Pizzeria

rodolfo ramirez

Google
Delicious pizza, fast service, great cocktails and the bread pudding was perfect to end on. Happy to finally find a great tasting pizza that doesn't leave you feelings bloated after eating it.

J. Stephen Lee

Google
Came here around 5 on a Friday. Was lucky enough to get a table outside before a really long line formed. Be aware in case you’re planning to eat here. All the food we got (Caesar salad, spicy carrots, two pizzas, ice cream) was great. The service was a little slow but made sense given how busy they were.

DrPfeiffer

Google
We thoroughly enjoyed the carrot salad (!! fabulous ingredients) and pizzas — everything fresh & well prepared. Service was attentive and since we came midday on a week day, we had plenty of seating to choose from. Looking forward to returning some day.

Nikhil Shankar

Google
Excellent pizza, cute atmosphere, and good service. The Neopolitan pizza (i.e., The Benchmark) was excellent as was the caesar salad. Been here twice — the first time the pizza crust was a bit hard, so I wish they would make it fluffier Italian-style, but the second time it was more on-point. Would go again!

Chris Hiller

Google
We had a large group and the place was packed. They shuffled things around for us and we're seated in 15 min. Food came out and tasted great. Pizza dough and toppings very flavorful, crust wasn't crispy if you are into that sort of thing. Pasta dish looked very fresh and tasted the best of all our dishes. Meatball with polenta and collard greens was 👌 as well.

Sharlie

Google
The crispy sage pizza and the salami calabrian pizzas are to die for. The Caesar Salad was one of the best I’ve had, plenty of cheese and dressing evenly distributed. Top notch service.

Michael Tong

Google
solid pizza, a bit on the pricey side, but overall you’ll have a good time! would recommend the soft serve with olive oil and black sea salt for dessert fyi their hours on their menu say 420-9”ish” so they might close early, we left at 8pm and they were pretty empty pictured: benchmark (classic) pizza, sausage and radicchio, lemon pistachio

Alice Hou

Google
We tried the Benchmark Pizza with Tomato, Mozzarella, Basil, and Extra Virgin Olive Oil, as well as the Sausage Pizza with Tomato Sauce, Fresh Mozzarella, Red Onions, Yellow Gypsy Peppers, and Grana. Both were incredibly delicious, showcasing fantastic flavors. The indoor seating is limited, but the cozy atmosphere adds to the charm of the experience.

Yan Z.

Yelp
stopped by here around 5pm on a whim and were seated immediately. coming from SF with its plethora of pizza and pasta options, i was shocked that this was one of the best italian meals i've had in the bay. we shared: * cucumber farro salad: sooo good. the melon was perfectly ripe and the olive oil on top was some of the best i've ever had. * spaghetti arriabbata: i could not get enough of the sauce! it was so spicy yet well balanced. one of the best tomato-based pastas i've had anywhere including italy. * benchmark pizza: normally i don't go for a margherita pizza but all the ingredients were perfect. the mozzarella especially was out of this world. the neapolitan-style crust was super light and chewy. * wild mushroom pizza: this had a lot of potential but none of the flavors really stood out. i felt like it needed more acidity. that said it was still tasty af. * non-alcoholic aperol spritz: i've been missing aperol spritzes and this really hit the spot! herbacious and refreshing without being overly sweet. the ambiance is super cute and rustic with tons of outdoor seating as well as some indoor tables.

Lynn N.

Yelp
I have been meaning to try Benchmark Pizza for a while after hearing it was one of the best rated in the Bay Area! We came here and were immediately seated. The place is cozy, but there is enough room inside and outside. I also noticed there were a lot of children, so this is definitely a family-friendly restaurant! We ordered two pizzas based off our servers recommendation, the new mushroom one and the fried sage. The mushroom pizza had a nice earthy flavor, and the sauce was oily without being heavy. It was very soft in the center because of the sauce, but it had a nice outer crust. The fried sage had a thick layer of cheese and the meatball complimented well with the fried sage itself. Overall, I do like the outer crusts, but I feel the bottom could be crispier, and the sauces themselves were more on the heavy side. I'm glad I was able to come and try their well-rated pizzas though!

paula c.

Yelp
A true neighborhood gem, Benchmark is a gathering place for local Italians and Italian-food appreciators who come for their simple menu of high quality food and great drinks. Driving by on any given evening you'll see clusters of diners sitting at the outside tables, regardless of temperature but especially on a balmy evening. The inside dining area is small but feels equally suited for a date night or a couple families meeting up for dinner. Staff have always been efficient and friendly with service. But the food...that's what really matters. And that's why I keep returning and craving a Benchmark dinner. The fried brown butter sage pizza is something that must be ordered. It won't disappoint and you will be thinking about it days later! Other menu items on our regular order include: Strozzapretti Bolognese (priest-strangler pasta), Chopped salad which has the perfect balance of ingredients (large enough to share with the table), meatballs, sausage and pepperoni pizzas, marinated olives, and housemade bread. My recent conversation to plant-based diet has left me still dreaming of the sage pizza but feeling very satisfied with their vegan pizza, loaded with green olives, spinach and cashew-based cheese. On a hot day, add an Aperol spritz and it almost feels like I'm back it Italy

Tracy D.

Yelp
Finally had a chance to eat here. Nice neighborhood eatery we can walk to. We ate outside in a Sunday evening which got busier as the evening progressed. It was nice sitting outside enjoying the good weather. We had pasta, salad and two pizzas - margherita with wine and beer. All tasted really good. Bonus was the soft serve ice cream and sundae. Service was attentive and friendly. Food came out quickly. We'll be back!

Peg S.

Yelp
Great family and neighborhood spot with both indoor/outdoor seating for delicious, tasty pizza, with some interesting flavors (fried sage!) on a nice, slightly charred crust. Top it of off with yummy gelato and soft serve or chocolate chip cookie for the kids!

Theresa S.

Yelp
I can see why locals come here. The food is good. The pasta was fresh with a nice bite and a light lemony sauce. We enjoyed the pizza. It had a chewy crust and really yummy cheese and a light tomato sauce. However the center was a bit soggy. The meatball put it over the top. Made me wish I had ordered the meatballs and polenta entree instead. Loved the spicy margarita. I could tell it was made with fresh squeezed lime juice, none of that sickly sweet and sour mix. The best part of the meal was the huge chopped salad. It came lightly dressed in a tangy vinaigrette. Perfectly boiled eggs. Fresh crunch greens. Just enough cheese and almonds. Superb! The room could use something to deaden the sound. We could hear every utensil on every plate and the conversations of the other guests. I'm sure that's fun for the regulars. Not so much for us. But that's what you get in a tiny room with tall ceilings. It's also quite pricey for a pizzeria with self-serve silverware in a cup on the table no white tablecloths. Our server was very nice and quite attentive. Parking was easy and free. I might go back.

Matt W.

Yelp
My first time here. Thinking about this amazing pizza makes me want to belt out my favorite song from my favorite band... while driving of course. I am the egg man They are the egg men I am the walrus Goo goo g'joob Last week a friend and I shared a Benchmark Pizza with Tomato, Mozzarella, Basil, Extra Virgin Olive Oil and Meatball Pizza with Tomato, Mozzarella, Grana, Meatballs, Parsley. Perfect is the only way to describe the crust. Crunchy, chewy, smoky and flavorful. It stood up just fine to the sauce and toppings. The Meatball Pizza was my favorite. Super tasty meatballs that complimented the sauce and cheese. I'll take two next time. The place is popular so Matt suggests you go early. I can hardly wait to go back.

Sanna A.

Yelp
We went for dinner to this pizza place in Kensington, which is basically next to Berkeley. It was quite busy around 5 pm. It was our first time here and it was pretty good. We tried 2 different salads and 2 different pizzas. All were very delicious. My favorite was the spicy carrot salad. So good! A must try. Please be aware it does contain nuts. This place is perfect for a date night or casual meet up with some friends.

Gina G.

Yelp
With the holidays quickly approaching, if you're looking to cozy up for date night or an evening with friends/family in town, Benchmark Pizzeria is calling your name. Nestled in the equally as cozy community of Kensington, you'll find other gems here as well like the Sunday farmer's market, the charming Semifreddi's Bakery (opened in 1984!) and another local fan favorite, the Kensington Pub. Benchmark is well known for their delicious pizzas, comforting pastas, hearty salads/soups and yes, their organic soft serve to round out the menu! Highlights when ordering are always a pizza & pasta to split, with seasonal pasta favorites including the Strozzapreti Bolognese and Cacio e Pepe. Pizza wise, one really can't go wrong with traditional options and also fall/winter options like the Delicata Squash and Sage Pizza, all served "Neo-Neopolitan in style, 11-12 inches". My latest order was the Benchmark (Tomato, Mozzarella, Basil, Extra Virgin Olive Oil, $20) with a side of their homemade Caesar dressing to dip the crust in..amazing pro tip from the awesome servers! The pizzas are perfect for sharing or like me last Friday, simply just for one. The Caesar in general is also always a must, brimming top of bowl with fresh grated Grana. We typically always like to order a side of their house made bread & salted butter to start, which compliments any Antipasti quite nicely. Benchmark now has house & specialty cocktails to accompany their awesome selection of beer/wine. I love a good Spritz or Lambrusco, a sparkling red I only enjoy ordering here! Going down the sweet train, you have to make an express stop to try their Buffalo Milk soft serve with (any topping of choice) and Sea Salt Chocolate Chip Cookie on the side to dip in. We usually get the caramel sauce because we're huge fans, but truly anything atop buffalo's milk is a win in my book! Fun fact: Benchmark has now opened a grab-and-go down the street! If you make it to the Sunday Kensington Farmer's Market, they offer morning quarter pizza slices to go and other fun breakfast treats/sandwiches, frozen pizzas, boxed items from their restaurant, and even sides of that super yummy Caesar dressing! Don't sleep on Benchmark this season ~ you're in for a big win!

Shelby S.

Yelp
Nice neighborhood spot with a large variety of pizzas. Really enjoyed both the Fried Sage Pizza and the Nduja and Eggplant Pizza. They've got both indoor and outdoor seating and very friendly vibes. We didn't feel rushed and service was very kind.

Theresa R.

Yelp
Learned of this place as one of the "best pizzerias" and had to check it out and support local. We had their chopped salad, spicy carrot salad, a Benchmark and a Delegata pizza with sausage added. We also had to try their chocolate chip cookies, for dessert. The carrot salad was fun and fresh with just a little bite to it, not too spicy. The chopped salad was a meal in itself and an absolute rainbow of lettuces, radicchio, apples and pomegranate seeds with blue cheese bites. It was a bowl of happiness and good will! Oh and it had a just barely hard cooked egg that had the creamiest yolk, and felt like a delicacy to eat. Pizzas were thin crust and blistered, with toppings that complimented each other beautifully. The Benchmark was a margarite pizza with fresh mozzarella and the Delicata had squash and fennel with other types of cheeses which combined with the added sausage were crave worthy. We will definitely be back to this place. I can hardly wait to try the pasta dishes. The waitress was great. Efficient, friendly and helpful. We had one cookies to-go that slipped out of it's packaging onto the floor and she was kind enough to replace it for us, which I appreciated. If you love pizza, you need to check this one off as a favorite. It's worth the drive if you're not a local, honestly.

Toni M.

Yelp
Sometimes things just work out, as if they were meant to be. This afternoon I called Benchmark to order a pizza w/ corn and cherry tomatoes. I adore pizzas w/ corn and ordinarily get them at the Cheeseboard. I also ordered a large Caesar salad. Those who have been following my reviews know I have been disconsolate since Pollara Pizzeria closed down on 4th Street so the owners could be w/family on the East Coast, taking w/ them my favorite Caesar salad 2 or 3 years ago. I have tried unsuccessfully to find one as good. Some have come close, the best being from 2 Local Girls in Oakland, but that's a bit far to go very often, although as often as I have a Caesar it might be OK. I reread my Benchmark review recently and that reminded me how much I loved their Caesar. It's been a while since we were last there, although I forget how long. Since my last review, I'm pretty sure. I ordered for pick up at 6 today. Just as I came to the stop sign at the Colusa Circle someone was pulling out of a parking space near the pizzeria. That's what I mean about things working out. I walked in and gave my name and they brought out my pizza and salad and I paid. The young people working there were so sweet! Robert even opened the door for me as I left. I got in the car and pulled out of the space. Another car pulled right in and I imagined they felt as fortunate as I had. When I got home I was going to sit down at eat my pizza, then realized it wasn't warm enough. I put my pizza stone in the oven and started it preheating to 400° and poured myself a glass of wine. I mixed the salad together. The garlic in the dressing smelled amazing! When the oven was at temperature I put in half the pizza, set the timer for 5 minutes and then got lost in a sports column and missed the timer going off by almost 5 minutes. No harm. It wasn't overdone and was delicious. The salad was good, although not as transcendent as Pollara's or as I remember Benchmark's was. I will certainly order it again. I was very hopeful it would fill the void, but it didn't.

Joc V.

Yelp
I fell in love with the fried sage pizza...there was a hint of lemon that cut the richness of that brown butter. The pasta was fresh, and the Bolognese sauce was meaty and creamy. Finish your meal with the Benchmark sundae and butterscotch sauce. Service was friendly but efficient. Score yourself an outdoor table and enjoy the small town feel of Kensington.

Rex B.

Yelp
10s across the boards.bRigatoni with Summer Ragu it was light and flavorful. Then we had the Vegan Pizza (creamy cashew cream, spinach, lemon, and castelvetrano olives) all the ingredients complemented each other and the pizza crust. Then ended the night with the butterscotch soft serve sundae. Chefs kiss! We are coming back!!! Service was amazing too :)

Emmeline W.

Yelp
Right next to Semifreddi's (my go-to for granola) in Kensington Circle. My bf came across this spot on recommendation from a neighbor and were drawn by the unorthodox toppings. Try it before saying anything!! We picked up two for a get-together at home. For the size of the pizzas, their pickup time is extraordinarily fast-- only about 10-15 mins (about the time it took for us to drive here, we just left asap LOL). Staff were friendly. FRIED SAGE PIZZA: My bf's favorite of the two :-) I can't say that we've had fried sage before-- definitely interesting! So smoky, earthy, and a little spicy, goes well with the milder mozzarella. The brown butter adds another rich layer of nuttiness to everything. The crust has a lovely chew while still crunchy on the outside (though, I wish there were more topping-- the crust made up maybe 1/3 of the entire pizza lol) CHERRY TOMATO & CORN PIZZA: This is like corn salsa, but on pizza. Peep the tiny bits of onion :P I haven't seen a lot of corn pizzas outside of Taiwan so this was a pleasant surprise. Bits of rosemary added a fun, aromatic twist. Both were devoured immediately, with high praise from all guests. Would definitely recommend Benchmark if you're looking for unique pizzas that stand out from the rest.

Ted N.

Yelp
This is one of the worst pizzas around. They smear a little tomato sauce on it and one basil leaf and then charge an outrageous price. They didn't even manage to slice it into equal size pieces. And the oil soaked through the box! I really don't understand why people patronize this place. Complete ripoff. Avoid.

Amy C.

Yelp
Kid approved!! Strozzapretti leftovers for the win. Great and very friendly service. Soft serve is delicious.

Matthew C.

Yelp
NEXT LEVEL. What if you could combine the friendliness and welcoming vibe of a neighborhood pizzeria...with world-class food and drinks? Benchmark has done it and we never tire of their pizza and excellent service. Best pizzas include salami, pistachio and...oh my gosh, the fried sage! The chopped salad is NOT your usual boring salad. We're addicted to them as takeaway, but really, the magic happens when you dine in to really take in the relaxed but energetic atmosphere on the Colusa circle. Special kudos for the lovely cocktails, including traditional and N/A options. And don't sleep on the cookies!

rowdy m.

Yelp
If one loves bread, cheese and other toppings it's hard to screw up a pizza. We had the sausage/yellow pepper, caesar salad and petite sirah. The wine was quite good, the salad, a generous portion, however the pizza was, so-so. It wasn't bad, it just tasted like bread with items on it. I prefer Little Star or Cheeseboard and doubt if I will return, but again, pizza, like art, is subjective and my taste buds have a mind of their own. The service was quite slow but all servers were lovely. It'll do in a pinch.

Alice H.

Yelp
We tried the Benchmark Pizza with Tomato, Mozzarella, Basil, and Extra Virgin Olive Oil, as well as the Sausage Pizza with Tomato Sauce, Fresh Mozzarella, Red Onions, Yellow Gypsy Peppers, and Grana. Both were incredibly delicious, showcasing fantastic flavors. The indoor seating is limited, but the cozy atmosphere adds to the charm of the experience.

Kelsey L.

Yelp
This place is so cute and the food was delicious! We were seated right away inside and ordered promptly. The portion sizes are generous and the food is phenomenal. The pizza was cooked to perfection. I've never had a wood fired pizza crust cooked like this. It's so soft and chewy and not hard and crunchy like I usually get. I loved the salad as well. It was so fresh and the dressing was delightful. The salad was huge! I shared this with my mom and we had leftovers to take of both the pizza & salad. By the time we left, the restaurant was PACKED. I will definitely be coming back here for more deliciousness!

D E.

Yelp
Such a great little place! I grew up not too far from Kensington and always associated the town's location with only the top of the hill/Arlington. Who knew it trickled all the way down to Colusa? Not this dummy, who paid no attention to Benchmark's address and drove up and up and up (Moeser), thinking it was over by Inn Kensington somewhere. (I don't need no stinkin' Waze! It's gotta be over that way!) It was not. So I sheepishly plugged the address into my gps and back down, down, down the hill I went. Detour complete, we arrived shortly after opening, got a parking spot right across the street, were seated immediately, watched the restaurant quickly fill up, and enjoyed a fantastic meal. We've been back several times since (sans scenic route) and it's always been the same: food is delicious; parking and seating are easy as long as you get there when the restaurant opens or soon after. We've been there on multiple non-holiday weekdays when the restaurant has filled up before 5pm. Anyway, my apologies for digression. Time to get to the food. Everything has always been excellent, I don't think there's ever been something we haven't liked, from the antipasti to the pizzas to the pastas to the desserts. We tend to start with a caesar (a small is big enough to share among 3-4 people if you're ordering a bunch of other stuff) and whatever farro bowl they have. (The soups are also always good.) The pizzas are great, with wonderful crisp-yet-chewy crusts. (There's never any of that wet, soggy middle-of-the-pizza nonsense!) Pastas are always perfectly al dente. And as much as I enjoy the pizza here, I absolutely love their pastas. I particularly liked the cacio e pepe they offered one time. While it could have used a bit more pepper, I enjoyed the addition of spinach (which cut the richness) and breadcrumbs (which added a nice bit of crunch/texture). We also make sure to always leave room for dessert. (Okay, that's a lie--we're always full after dinner but end up ordering dessert anyway.) The fior de latte soft serve with olive oil and sea salt is simple (and may sound odd to some), yet divine. (Beretta in SF is where I learned to love these flavors together. Their panna gelato with evoo and sea salt is amazing.) The chocolate sauce is also good; haven't tried the butterscotch yet! We've also gotten their (croissant) bread pudding a couple times. I tend to not like bread pudding (I think it's usually too dry), but Benchmark must soak the croissants well, because I enjoy the texture here. Going to Benchmark is always a treat!

BellaLissa B.

Yelp
We had wanted to try this place for a while now. I had never heard of Kensington, CA. but it's right there! We'd had a long day and it was rainy and about 7:30 pm so we didn't know what to expect. Our waiter Walter was soft-spoken, knowledgeable, very helpful, and had great timing. He was totally in sync, and really comfortable dealing with him. We ordered the shredded carrot salad as an appetizer, delicious, fresh, and delightful. I had a glass of house red wine and my partner had a bottle of ginger ale which he enjoyed, my wine was fine. The pizza we got was very simple and we enjoyed it, ate everything up, and the ambiance was truly great especially after a busy day on the road doing errands and in busy traffic. The owner and staff were friendly and really on the mark. We will go back soon.

Michael M.

Yelp
Our experience at Benchmark left much to be desired. Despite being told there would be a 10-15 minute wait, my party and I were left waiting for 45 minutes without being seated. What's worse is that during this time, multiple groups who arrived after us were promptly seated. When we approached the host to inquire about our status, he seemed disinterested and claimed he hadn't called our name, despite taking it initially. The lack of communication and disregard for our time was unacceptable. It's evident that there are serious flaws in their reservation and seating process, and the dismissive attitude of the host only exacerbated the issue. Such poor customer service leaves a lasting negative impression, and I cannot recommend this restaurant based on my experience."

Deirdre P.

Yelp
I'm gonna say it- the sage brown butter pizza is the best pizza in the bay. So good! We also had the farro asparagus salad and it was delicious. Will be back

Wendell T.

Yelp
I don't typically write reviews unless something was exceptionally good or exceptionally bad. Our waiter who when he did show up to take our order was pleasant enough. My partner who doesn't consume cheese requested that our pizza be made cheese free on half of the pizza. The waiter said we can't honor requests like that, which was fine by us because every establishment is different. So we ordered two pizzas at $27 a piece, one with cheese and the other without. We also ordered appetizers. The issue for us was not the food. The food was fantastic. The issue for us is that our waiter never came back once to check on us. He at one point looked at our table as he was walking by but we never saw him again. My partner eventually got up and went to the front to ask how do we pay our bill? We wanted dessert but no one ever came back to the table. Eventually a bus boy came by to clear the table. We then had to go back and ask for a box for leftovers since we had ordered two pizzas. By the way, even though the service was exceptionally poor, I still let a 25% tip because the bus boy was pleasant when clearing our table. Please hire additional staff for the floor or have an experienced waiter give a lesson on how to properly serve customers. We had already spent $82 and would have spent more if our server had bothered to come back to our table.

Jenna T.

Yelp
Who knew this little neighborhood existed?! So glad to find this place. Probably the best salad and pizzas I've had. The fried sage pizza was beyond words! Def can't wait to come back here. Everything was devoured, so good. Their house wine wasn't bad at all either, not dry. Def can't wait to try more of their pizzas and try some of their pastas. Don't miss out on this place, it'll be one of your biggest regrets haha

Isaac C.

Yelp
Benchmark is a small and chill pizzeria in the most unassuming place. As a pizzeria, it's only right that their pizza is amazing. Each pizza crust is cooked to perfection with no shortage of popping gluten! We tried both the benchmark (margarita) and Calabrian Bomba. Our favorite of the two was definitely the Calabrian Bomba because of the extra kick and the surprisingly good eggplant on the pizza. The chopped salad was a super flavorful combination of greens, chickpeas, an egg, and their vinaigrette sauce. It's a must have appetizer! The cookie was great, but wasn't able to be warmed. But this isnt a reason to avoid this cool spot in the hill!

Sophia H.

Yelp
Stopped in after seeing Benchmark on Check Please and I'm so glad we gave them a try! The service was great, they were attentive and speedy. The food and drinks were perfection. The pizzas weren't greasy and the drinks were well made. Love that they have outdoor seating for those nice days/nights. Will definitely be coming back!

Mary K.

Yelp
Best pizza I've been to in a while! Great service and atmosphere. Had chocolate chip cookie and sundae!

Arlene C.

Yelp
Tucked on one side of Colusa Circle in Kensington is an Italian Pizzeria. It's rare that I hear an Italian accent, so I was anticipating an authentic meal. I was not disappointed. The thin crust is very tasty, I eat all of it! You can't go wrong with any of their pizzas or the salads. We got the Calabrian Bomba pizza, Strozzapreti Bolognese, Chopped Salad. They give you a lot of salad, so it's good to share. They don't drown their pasta which is nice and Al dente. There are tables outside that give a sunset view.

Loba Q.

Yelp
If I could give them minus 1 I would. Bad service with bad food but got the ego of the best restaurant In town. Will never ever venture there again.Charging us cover for people that didn't show up is not ok!

Michael H.

Yelp
Great pizza place, friendly wait staff, good food, and fun atmosphere. I would come back here again!

Liztastic C.

Yelp
Sage pizza. Handmade pasta. Amazing salads and veggie sides. Inventive cocktails. Cool staff. Strauss soft serve. Small, local business. So much to love.

Kensington ..

Yelp
Benchmark Pizzeria has been a keystone of Colusa Circle and it's where we kicked off our first dine-in experience of 2023. With our initial bite, we instantly remembered the first time we tried their fried sage and brown butter pizza. It's been on the menu for years and there's a good reason it's a mainstay for Benchmark. Enthusiasts argue over what makes for a great pizza, but for me, it will always be about the dough! Excitedly, Benchmark makes theirs daily, allowing it to rise for 48 hours before topping it and cooking it in their wood-burning oven. Within what seemed like just minutes after ordering, our server returned with simple perfection - a mouthwatering pizza with just enough char to remind you of the magic that comes from 700°F. Fresh mozzarella highlighted a perfect chewy texture and the brown butter and garlic added body to each delicious bite. The fried sage provided a surprising crunch and elevated the experience without taking away from their light and slightly sour, homemade dough. Unsurprisingly, key ingredients such as cheese, pasta, and condiments are also all made in-house. Opened in 2012 by restaurant industry veterans Melissa & Peter Swanson, Benchmark is dedicated to local and sustainable produce and meat that is nitrate and hormone-free. Stanley Tucci's show "Searching for Italy," introduced us to strozzapreti, the macabrely- nicknamed "priest strangler" pasta based on a story of gluttonous priests so enthralled by its shape and taste that they ate too quickly and choked themselves. We were excited to find Strozzapreti Bolognese on Benchmark's menu, which arrived perfectly al dente in a traditional meat sauce. We are happy to report that we ate slowly enough to avoid choking. Benchmark also features a robust wine selection and fun seasonal cocktails. I was tempted to try the Nitrum Martini made up of Mosswood rum, Nitro coffee, vanilla syrup, and whipped cream, but I did a double-take at the message on the chalkboard above the counter displaying $18 for the house wine. Accustomed to post-pandemic inflation and the need for restaurants to increase prices to protect their margins, surely this was the price for a single glass, or at most a half carafe, right? Nope, $18 got us a full bottle of Montepulciano D'abruzzo, a great Italian table wine perfect for a casual night out of pizza and pasta. We ended our lovely family dinner with the Benchmark Sundae, a not-so-basic vanilla ice cream sundae with chocolate sauce, sunflower seeds, whipped cream, and a cherry on top. Admittedly, I left curious about the other soft serve options including a Fior di Latte (Buffalo Milk cheese) and a Chocolate Vegan Oat Milk. All came highly recommended, but we ran out of room. Next time! Just like all restaurants during the pandemic, Benchmark initially struggled to find a way to survive during such a challenging time. One of their solutions involved expanding their space to include a charming, heated outdoor dining area which turns out to be the perfect place to catch a bay area sunset and a slice of pizza or two or three. Another great idea was to open up a retail location just a few doors down that offers Italian groceries and convenient grab-and-go paninis and salads. Benchmark is aptly named because it has indeed found its standard in excellence and is an ideal way to balance the Bay Area's natural bounty with the inspiration of traditional Italian pizza.

Naomi F.

Yelp
We ordered 3 pizzas, all were underbaked. Service was unapologetically slow, dismissive, and unfriendly. We won't be back. Sad, since we live so close.

Jennifer C.

Yelp
A pleasant pizza place with great service and delicious pizza! We got the oak view cocktail which was delicious if you like sweet drinks that taste like juice. The pizza was very good! Super buttery. It would be more filling if you wanted to add a protein on top but other than that it's DELICIOUS. We also got a sea salt Chocolate cookie which was really great, I wonder if you could warm it up though because I think it would have been 100% better warmed up. We also got sundaes and was pleasantly surprised with the sunflower seeds. The whip topping was really good I'm not quite sure what it's made out of but I really enjoyed it. We went on a Wednesday night and there was a lot of people, probably a hometown favorite (we drove 30-40 minutes away). Parking wasn't too hard to find but it is street.

Zia K.

Yelp
We saw Benchmark on Check Please Bay Area and finally had a chance to "check" them out. The pizza here is truly exceptional and some of the best I have ever had. I wish I could replicate dough at home. It is an interesting mix of flours - 00 and others. I'm sure their starter works some magic as well. I like how the bottom of pie is coated with semolina. The pizza is a bit pricey, but the main ingredient, the dough, is hard to replicate anywhere else. It is a fairly minimalist ambiance focused on pizza, which is all that is important to us. The wait staff or attentive enough. I only wish they were closer to us.

Yvette S.

Yelp
A treat of a place. Interesting dishes and cocktails. Friendly service. Some tables outside are quite crooked, but glad they're there just the same.

Kathie T.

Yelp
Delicious, everything we ate. Soup, Brown butter pizza, sausage and mushroom pizza, Chopped salad, it was huge. Dessert vanilla ice cream with olive oil. Wow service was great, place was busy but we were well taken care of. Loved it all. Found them on check please. Can't wait to return. Wish this was my neighborhood joint, I'd be there every night!

Marcy S.

Yelp
Really really great pizza. The sauce! The dough! Yummmmm. I get why this place is always so busy!

C L.

Yelp
Benchmark pizzeria is our family's go to place for good quality pizza and pasta. The quality is always consistent, pizzas made to order. The bolognese is very flavorful and good portion quantity. The chop salad is delicious, also great portion size. Good and fast friendly service. Unassuming place that brings good quality food for a fair price. We go almost every Sunday.

Emily H.

Yelp
Delicious!! Tucked away in an upscale residential area it is on a cool Traffic circle "corner" and you can smell the delicious scent blocks away. (Parking is easy in the neighborhoods). The pizza was simple and delicious. The restaurant was small and cozy, with limited choices- everything done right though! Definitely on the list of top pizza's in the EB for me.

Jefferson L.

Yelp
Not a fan of Benchmark. Here's why: 1. They don't serve actual pizza. 'Actual' pizza has pepperoni on it. There is no pepperoni anywhere to be found on Benchmark's menu. 2. They charge $2 for extra Caesar dressing. I've been dining out and paying my own tab for more than 35 years - at restaurants on five continents. I've never been nickel-and-dimed for extra salad dressing. Would Benchmark reduce the price of their Caesar salad by $2 if I asked for 'light' dressing? I think not. Further, there is no $2 dressing charge listed on the menu. Benchmark just hits you with this sneaky charge on the bill at the end of the evening. 3. Benchmark keeps all their doors open all the time. It's 50° outside at night in the winter. 7 pm at night and all their doors were still open. I had to close the doors myself. Patrons were dining indoors in Patagonia jackets and wool caps. Again, ridiculous. We'll not likely return to Benchmark any time soon. They can nickel-and-dime and chill their other other patrons - all the while not offering actual pizza on their menu. Boo Benchmark!

Michael K.

Yelp
Incredible pizza and salads. The carrot salad was so good hitting all the sweet, sour, salty and spicy notes. Get it, you won't regret it. Then we got the chopped salad that was also very good, but not as good. The bread and butter was really delicious. I'd recommend ordering it. We had the salami pizza and it was so delicious my feet did a little dance after my first bite. Also had a Narsai whiskey cocktail that was strong and tasty. Perfect if you like Manhattans. Service is fast. Perhaps a bit too fast for my taste. If you are there with hungry kids it is perfect. But if you are there for a relaxing meal out, it feels rushed.

Robert A.

Yelp
$20 PIZZA?, THE BOX WAS MOST OF THE VALUE OF THE PIZZA I don't know where our sense of the value of a dollar went but, by Benchmark's prices, it is in the trash. We just moved to this neighborhood and wanted this place to be our hangout. Good luck with people that don't earn their money!

Brent S.

Yelp
I think tonight was my family's last night at Benchmark, which is sad because we have been going there since they first opened. The food is really good but the service has just become too... unpleasant. Since they fully reopened from the pandemic there has been a steady decline in service. They staff really just don't seem to give two s**** about helping customers enjoy their meals. Perhaps American Airlines sells online classes in customer service because that is what it feels like at Benchmark now. Until today's we tolerated what other reviewers have called "lack of charm" for the good food. Tonight our young daughters did not want the same pizzas -- one wanted pepperoni and the other only cheese. OK, easy, we asked for pizza with half pepperoni and half cheese. The waiter said sorry, our policy is we don't do half orders on pizzas. I said, I'm confused. Could you just not put pepperoni on half the pizza? That would be really helpful. He replied, no, that's not our policy. I could see how it could be more difficult to manage and perhaps more expensive to the restaurant if everyone ordered different toppings on each side. We were not asking that. We just wanted a side without toppings. We also were not asking for a discount because we asked for less pepperoni. We would pay full price. He then *helpfully* added that we could easily order two pizzas and they would be happy to make those. It just felt like he would flip the middle finger at us if there weren't other patrons around. So we left and are never coming back. Yes, we go out to eat for the food, but we also go out to eat for a moment to relax. If a chance to chill out is why you go out to eat, you won't find that here.

Tuco G.

Yelp
The servers have always been wanting in tableside charm and manners, but you put up with it because the food is decent and it's a pleasant walk from your front door. Or at least, that's how I used to feel, but after observing the actions of the owner, the last visit I made, will be my final. After running into and observing the owner, I finally understood the disagreeable nature of the servers - the culprit of all the dysfunction so to speak. She is rude and seems to enjoy belittling and humiliating not only her staff, but her customers as well. It's appalling behavior. In fact, it was so upsetting, my extended family, who were regulars, alongside my parents, and who also live nearby, agreed with me and will no longer patronize this business. One just has to read her response to a negative review written here on yelp recently to get an understanding of how she handles conflict. She actually accuses the customer of stealing, PUBLICLY! Unbelievable! I wonder what I might be opening myself up to by writing this, but I feel I need to. I know a bully when I see one. Here are a few tips should you decide you're up for a concentrated heap of condescension after a long hard day of work, or perhaps you just feel like being rushed aggressively through your meal or maybe you feel its about time to be put in your place for being a customer - whatever your preference is: 1. Your food will come out all at once - always - literally doesn't matter to them. The trick here is to place your appetizer/salad order and after the first course is properly underway, proceed to add to your order, the main course. 2. Make sure you do not stay, not even one second after 9pm. All hell will come down on you should you have the misguided notion of wanting to finish your meal, you know, the one you were looking forward to enjoying. In fact, they are so fussy about this that they will not seat anyone after 8:30pm (this of course leaves only 30 mins for dinner). It would be very helpful, for all involved, if they were to stipulate that they will kick you out at 9pm. You know, a proper, yes hostile, but proper warning. They should also change the cutoff time and not seat customers after, say, 7:30pm. And actually POST THOSE RULES onto their website to warn customers in advance. It's all about informed choices. Nothing worse than spending $256, only to be kicked out after they collect your payment midway through dinner. Leaves a sour taste in your mouth. Finally, I leave with a piece of advice for the owner: While it is too late for me and my family. I think it would behoove you to let your customers just enjoy being your customers. Let them eat. Be nice to your staff. Pay them past 9pm if you must. I think it would make for a much more enjoyable dining experience. In fact, more like the fun, laid back, relaxed, friendly and warm dining experience we all enjoy at the pub across the street!

Blanka W.

Yelp
Today was my first time trying out this business . When it was my turn to order, taller man working there asked me what I would like . I didn't know what was good so I asked him to recommend something . He gave me his opinion and moved over to the next customer behind me ! I was shocked ! Did he just seriously left me there hanging without ordering ??? It's a one page menu with small choices , what did he thought I would take an hour to read it ?!? When he was asking the next customer what he wants I tried to interupt by saying " I am ready to order " . He ignored me and continued to take order and payment from the guy behind me ! At that point I was furious , but because I was hungry I bit my tongue and waited in disbelief. Then he came back to me asking if I made my decision. I told him I wanted to order his suggested pizza , but he never gave a chance . Again, blanked stare ... I gave up . Once I had my pizza , which by the way was delicious . I left ....even though food was delicious . Customer service was bitter , unprofessional . No thanks