Luke Benchmark

8.8 Highly Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  8      Service  9      Value  9     

After hearing many great reviews from family and friends, my partner and I decided to try it, and all I can say is we'll be going back again very very soon!

We started off with the dozen oyster tasting plate, which were incredible! I know next time we'll both be ordering our own dozen. My partner then had the pork belly for entree while I had the quail, both of which were delicious. For our main course my partner had the eye-fillet which was cooked to perfection and I had the rack of lamb. And we finished off our lovely meal sharing the chocolate fondant which was amazing!

This was by far the best meal that we have had for a long time in the sutherland shire. The service was great, and the waitstaff were friendly, helpful and helped to create a lovely warm atmosphere. Overall we had a wonderful evening and only have good things to say about this restaurant!

May 26, 2012 

8.5 Highly Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  8      Service  9      Value  8     

We went to this restaurant last Friday night after too many friends of late had been talking about a little restaurant in Sylvania that we just had to try it. I just love oysters and was delighted to see an entire section dedicated to them! My partner isn't usually an oyster fan, but after trying some of the hot ones from my taster plate, he ordered his own 1/2 dozen sampler before our next course.

I had the lamb rack for my main which was delicious and I had no shame in picking up and nibbling off the bone and its sauce was like liquid gold! Service was attentive, warm and friendly. Plenty of great options on the wine list. I now understand what all my friends have been talking about and will be spreading the good word much like they have.

May 24, 2012 

9 Highly Recommended

Food  10      Ambience  9      Service  7      Value  10     

Great food, should be in an other area, not on princes highway, staff can be a bit more attentive, overall we love it, best in the shire.

May 20, 2012 

3.5 Below Average

Food  6      Ambience  6      Service  1      Value  1     

We thought we'd try this restaurant the same night as Matthew S. (May 05,2012 review). Our expectations were high as we couldn't get in the week before. We were sadly disappointed. First the waitress spilt our red wine on our table with the comment 'that happens', but we let that go. After eating an oyster each from the dozen tasting plate, we realized we were served the wrong entree(mixed tasting plate instead of hot tasting plate) and promptly asked for it to be corrected.

The waitress argued that we Had ordered it (even though we don't eat uncooked oysters). We asked to speak to the manager who suggested we return the six uncooked oysters to be changed to cooked. This was a bit difficult as two had already been eaten off the plate, thinking they were the hot oysters we had ordered. After being ignored for 15 minutes and not knowing what was happening, with our entree still sitting in front of us, we called the young waitress over, who said the six hot oysters were coming out but we would be charged for the replaced 1/2 dozen.

This infuriated me, as we had come out for a relaxing night which had turned somewhat into a joke. We had never encountered this level of arrogance in over 30 years of dining out. We should have walked out there and then, however, we persevered and called the senior staff a second time. The entree we ordered was finally rectified. We then went on to finish our meal, though the night had been completely ruined for us. It is important to note that this arrogant crowd did not offer an apology at any stage.

Just as we were about to pay and leave, we heard the commotion from the front desk that turned out to be Matthew S. castigating the senior staff. As it turns out Matthew experienced the same level of arrogance and shocking service as we did. Do yourself a favour and avoid this place!

May 19, 2012 

1.5 Not Recommended

Food  3      Ambience  1      Service  1      Value  1     

This is by far the worst restaurant I have ever been to. I waited for over an hour to get a cold main course, it was then re heated so that the plate was untouchable, and the meal was subsequently tough and tasteless. The staff were inattentive, once our order was taken we were ignored the whole time until I complained, then they were extremely rude after this.

I have never experience such arrogance from a restaurant that is meant to be 1 point off a smh chefs hat, and have never in my life experienced the arrogance of the waitress I dealt with tonight. I was not complaining to get a discount, I was complaining because you ruined my night. Listen to your customers and don't smirk at me when I have already told this to the first waitress.

All this from the "best restaurant in the shire" Please don't waste your time and money going to this over priced, and pretentious establishment.

May 05, 2012 

9 Highly Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  9      Service  9      Value  9     

We've been there twice. Both times, I had the Oyster tasting plate and I can't wait to go back! The service was excellent. The waitress was friendly and attentive. Overall a really great experience.

Apr 17, 2012 

4.8 Average

Food  5      Ambience  5      Service  5      Value  4     

We have heard mixed reviews from friends and thought we would try Luke Benchmark. We tried the popular mixed oyster plate and found it average (not as good as other Oyster bars we have tried). My wife asked the waiter whether she could have the Wagyu beef from the Entree list as a main meal. The waiter said yes but my wife was presented with 2 entree size plates and later charged $50 (which was basically the price of 2 entree sizes).

When we questioned the Manager, she responded with "the waiter is training". I enjoyed the Duck but the presentation was average. We often go to restaurants and are happy to pay and tip well when the food and service is quality. Unfortunately, we found Luke Benchmark to be just another average restaurant in the Shire. A disappointment.

Mar 02, 2012 

8.3 Highly Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  9      Service  8      Value  7     

What a little gem in the shire!. I had an entertainment card so thought I might try it out and there is no doubt that this will become a regular! We started with the damper which was nice and crunchy on the outside and soft in the in centre. We followed with the cold oyster tasting plate which was a flavour explosion with each mouthful and the oxtail gow gee with japanese scallops and ginger and soy sauce. I have never had oxtail but it was so tender and matched the scallops perfectly.

On to main where Humpydoo Barramundi and Duck delighted our palate's. Both were amazing with perfect accompaniment for both.

The service was a lovely but there were only five table being a Monday night. Not too sure how they would fare up on a weekend. I think that this place is worth the money that you pay and is by far one of the best restaurants in the shire.

Feb 20, 2012 

7.8 Recommended

Food  10      Ambience  5      Service  9      Value  7     

We dined here last week and had a great meal, the oyster sampler entree was the best I've ever had. Expensive but unbelievable, the Thai style snapper main meal was superb as was the dessert. I would say this restaurant is the best I've been to in the shire. Highly recommended.

Jan 27, 2012 

7.5 Recommended

Food  7      Ambience  6      Service  9      Value  8     

A non typical location on the princes highway and easily missed on the drive through the shire. I can't help but think this place would get a lot more business if in a different location.

Worth giving a try for the variety of oysters alone. Reasonable selection of modern australian available also. The duck was a little more salty than I am used to but enjoyable all the same. Friendly and attentive service. We will probably go back with friends that we know like oysters.

Jan 22, 2012