Benny’s Bistro

Benny’s is one of our favorite places to eat dinner when we’re in Helena. The food is first class, creative menu with both full dinners and a wide selection of small plates. The prices are very reasonable especially considering the music that accompanies dinner. Service can be variable though. Tonight our waiter was a young man that didn’t seem to have any idea how to do his job. It took forever to get our wine and he kept forgetting what he was up to, such as bringing a couple of tapas, saying he would be back with small plates so we could share, and then forgetting to come back. The slow service did allow us to enjoy the fine music longer however.

One of our favorite dinner spots. Great ambiance. Makes me feel like I’m in the city. Food is very fresh and delicious. I like that the menu has periodic changes, and the nightly specials have always been a hit. Wine, beer, and dessert selections are great. Reasonable prices.
Dinner at Benny’s is always relaxing, and I never feel like I’m being rushed.

I’m a fan. Four of us stopped for lunch on Columbus Day, on the way to the airport. We were in a big hurry to ensure we made our flight, and the service was amazing. Our server took our order quickly, provided great recommendations, and was very patient with our maybe-​less-​than-​courteous-​rush. The food was great. The Thai Green Curry was excellent.

This is my favorite lunch spot, bar none. If you are thinking of having lunch here, stop reading here and just do it. Get a sandwich with a side salad or tomato soup! 5 stars for lunch! Oh and the iced tea is fantastic.
Dinner…is a slightly different story. I’ve never had dinner here until recently. The ambiance was nice, not very busy. We were seated by the kitchen. I told the waiter about my dairy allergy, and he basically told me nothing I was looking at had dairy. Red flag. The waiter should check, not assume, since they aren’t making the food. I was nervous after that. I ordered the pork and beans dinner, my husband ordered the fish Special. The intro focaccia and salad was good. My entrée came and while the pork was good, the veggie side had butter in it. I spit it out to avoid problems, and told the waiter. He apologized, offered no remedy, then I could hear him go back and all the chef (after the fact) if it had dairy. The chef was like «ooh yeah, lots of butter.» The waiter should have asked before the food was made, not assume. The bean thing on the side was bland, tasted like canned beans on lettuce with no dressing.
Towards the end of the meal, I was actually done, the waiter brought out a veggie side just cooked in oil. It was good, and I appreciated it, but super late and could have been avoided by asking the chef in the first place.
The whole time we were eating some other staff members were just sitting around eating and gossiping and flirting right next to us at the kitchen bar. It wasn’t very professional. So, the service was disappointing, the food was pretty good and a bit overpriced for what it was, I give it 3 stars for dinner. Given the dairy issue, I doubt I’d come back for dinner.

Seriously amazing, as per usual! Would recommend to anyone, for a romantic, upscale dinner date, or a casual lunch. Yum.

After having many fine lunches at Benny’s, I was very disappointed with my recent visit for dinner a week ago. There was no music despite the fact that I have been assured there would be jazz piano that evening.
As for the food, the crêpe appetizer was overly bland. My chicken curry dish was almost tasteless.
I have been hoping for a special evening. I was disappointed. In fairness, the lunches have been quite good.

Wonderful dining experience, friendly staff and amazing crème brûlée! Would certainly go again.

Good!
Prices seem a little high for what it is, (sandwiches are $ 15), but it’s locally sourced and pretty tasty.
Their cobbler deserts are pretty sinful too.
They have beer and wine which is really nice too.

Benny’s was recommended to us so we checked out the menu online, decided on an early dinner, and arrived at 5:30. There were two tables filled and while the place was gradually filling in, there was no reason for the slow pace of service. Maybe I’m just used to a fast city pace. We’d been wondering if we’d be underdressed, but it’s relatively casual. I mean, there’s paper table coverings. We’d heard that this was a fancy-​ish place and the prices are a bit higher, but it’s fine to come wearing shorts :-)
Our waiter stumbled through the night’s specials, rambling on and on awkwardly. It felt gimmicky and uncomfortable. The menu had several spelling typos and we were a bit confused by the Beef Blue burger we ordered, which listed bacon as an ingredient, but also stated it was $ 2 to add bacon. End result, there’s no bacon as standard, so add it if you want it.
Our waiter brought complimentary focaccia bread that was pretty tasty. I was a bit confused since it was listed on the menu as an appetizer at $ 2, but apparently they serve a complimentary plate? We ate it all and it actually tasted better without the oil and vinegar masking the flavor of the bread itself. It wasn’t overly oily, as focaccia bread can sometimes be, and it took the edge off our hunger.
The burgers themselves were delicious and presented beautifully. The blue cheese was crumbled and slowly melting on the patty. I ordered mine without the spicy mayo (which my other half said was more like thousand island) but I think the blue cheese had some kick because my burger definitely had a spicy afterkick. The meat was cooked to my liking and the flavors blended well. The housemade potato bun was good. After living in the bay area, I’ve been ruined by overpriced food and burgers that cost $ 15 without any sides, so I was thrilled to find a tasty (if small) salad served with the burger and a small crostini. It would have been nice if the toppings (lettuce and tomato) were a bit more generous, but I was pleasantly full and satisfied at the end of the meal.
Our waiter accommodated my other half’s request for no dressing on the salad, since it came with vinegairette, and thoughtfully offered another dressing. My honey said the ranch he got instead was excellent. The waiter was super attentive about filling our water glasses, but it took him quite a long time to come get our order after we were seated and given menus, and then it took a while for him to come clear our plates.
All in all, it was a fine eating experience, and the burger was delicious.

Meh. Food is mediocre at best. Very pricey for the portions and flavors. If you’re sitting down already — order the shrimp and grits.

I love lunch and dinner at Benny’s. Always jazzy and delicious. They change up their dinner menu pretty often so the cooks can try new things and so the diners can enjoy a different part of the world. Once I went and it was a ‘Night in Germany,’ the next time it was a southern dish, all wonderful! It’s a little pricey but everything is local so it’s worth the extra bucks.
You gotta try the Shrimp and Grits on the tapas menu!

This is a lovely place. Clean and friendly.
I was hoping for a delicious sandwich to take with me, as I was alone and needed to get on the road… my Rubin Panini was such a disappointment! $ 10 for a very thin (hardly any meat) ho-​hum sandwich. For 10.00, I expected Wow! I did get a little bag of tortilla chips with it, but the flavors didn’t go together at all. Disappointed.: (

I REALLY wanted to enjoy my lunch here. I tried their Southwest Chicken Panini which, by their description, I was very excited about. Unfortunately it was super dry and not particularly tasty. I had trouble getting past the unbelievably dry bread… The promised sauces within the sandwich were minimal and did little to help make the meal a bit more moist. I felt like I was gulping down water just to choke down the sandwich. I would have sent back the meal, but the server never asked how my meal was until it was far too late (and I hate to be THAT guy).
Nice staff though. :-/

Dinner service:
Service: Showed up without a reservation, and had a table for two within 3 minutes. Extras included live piano music, with no hat. The kitchen staff all work well together, the servers compliment them well. The wait staff was professional. I don’t think anyone missed a beat.
Atmosphere: Relaxed is encouraged. The dining room is nice, clean. The clientele seem generally reserved, and conversations are generally quiet. Fresh flowers complement your meal, a nice touch. The lighting is clever; there was, one stray lightbulb out, a detail I found odd considering a well maintained dining room. I was glad to score a table right by the piano without a reservation; personally, I would avoid the tables in the lower dining room, as these don’t allow a view of the kitchen, but are farther from the piano. The bathrooms are clean, but are heated with space heaters, a callback to the charm of older buildings. The piano actually was a nice surprise, if not a bit overpowering for a smaller dining room. I didn’t mind because the singer duo did have talent; other diners may want to consider how they like music when dining. But we always go for the food first.
Menu/​Kitchen: Excellent. Unique flavors that really work. Quality ingredients from local suppliers gives each unique flavor profile a huge advantage over the competition. I also appreciate the kitchen at every level here; and I praise all restaurants with open kitchens. This brings the customer into the process, and as an avid foodie, I love the visual interaction. We ordered from the tapas menu, which is a great way to sample all the flavors, without overdoing things. There is a slight premium for doing this, but it’s worth it. A few of the entrée items are available on the tapas menu. I enjoyed the experience of multiple courses. It looks like there is also an extensive wine list for those that like the grape juice; I stuck to the local Scottish ale on tap, and recommend it. I will have to try a burger the next time around, but this seems more like a lunch item, and a relatively expensive compromise conserving the extraordinary items that are available. Like: Smoked turkey? Yes. Duck Gillette? Yes. Local smoked trout? Yup. We also tried the dessert sampler, and I recommend you do as well.
The ideal customer: One who enjoys good food and flavor and isn’t afraid to experiment with new and clever ideas that really work. Quality food is emphasized here, so be prepared to pay for it; it’s worth it. There may be some lulls between courses, but this is ideal in preparation for the next, and do have another drink. As usual, persons with sensitivities to certain foods or who are generally impatience are best to just avoid eating out altogether. You’re spending your money to be here, so as always; relax, be the experience, and if you’re in a big hurry, plan to come back when you have time to enjoy the meal. This would make a great restaurant to for your first date.
Prices: It’s expensive, but I was being a true pig; with beers, tapas, dessert, and a healthy tip, I paid $ 60 for two. Remember, you’re paying for a unique idea too. And Benny’s Bistro has some great ideas.
Experience: I passed on the entrees… And headed straight to tapas… great choice for someone like me who likes to be all over the menu. As the variety kept coming, everything was flavorful, and cooked to a high standard. I wanted more of each portion, put this is the nature of tapas style eating. I like what Benny’s is, and what it brings to Helena; I certainly felt as though I should be somewhere else, which is what makes this gem even more special.
Will I return?: Yes, and I will recommend highly to others.

Get there around 130pm, and half the lunch items are gone. The menu outside of that for lunch is very sparse.
I had my sandwich, the included potato chips, after waiting some 10min+ minutes of no service. Paid my bill and left.
Perhaps Dinner is better? But for lunch, go elsewhere.

Absolutely outstanding! On every level.
We arrived early for dinner on a Wednesday in February and there wasn’t many people. We were able to park right outside the front door and get a table instantly.
Due to there being very few customers, we were pampered by our waitress who attended to our every need. I have no idea if it’s like this when they’re busy but I like to think it is.
It’s a very warm dining atmosphere with brick walls, and instruments hanging for decorations. The tables are white tablecloth with sheets of bright white paper to protect the cloth underneath. Chair are comfortable… room temperature was perfect. Very comfortable.
I had a wonderful glass of house Cab that was better than most bottles I order. We started by selecting 5 tapas then ordered our entrees which turned out to be way too much food.
In my opinion, have the group stick to tapas and possibly a cup of their outstanding tomato soup. It’s thick and very good. I didn’t try the bread sticks they brought out but the rest of my group gobbled them down.
The chicken picatta is wonderful. As is the beef stroganoff. The tuna was delicious as was the squash ravioli.
Desesrts are on the small side compared with other restaurants now days and that’s perfect as far as I’m concerned. I can’t stand over the top HUGE desserts. Carrot cake… GREAT! Crème Brulee… GREAT!
Bathroom? Clean!
Put this on your place to visit with a group and just start going through the tapas.
Enjoy!

Unilocalsop’s Fables
«The insouciant iguana»
One snowy and slushy sunny afternoon in early November, an iguana walked into a Helena jazz bistro and tapas bar, accompanied by his erstwhile traveling companion, traditional turkey. They were in town on business and needed a light lunch, so they used Unilocal to locate Benny’s. It was a Wednesday and the bistro was nearly full: people were eating and talking and enjoying their meals with only slightly restrained gusto. Pleased by what they observed, the two seated themselves and waited patiently for their server to arrive.
«I think I’ll get the tomato soup and Greek salad, with iced tea,» said traditional turkey, after studying his menu for a while. ‘It’s a safe bet. I like these things,” and he sat back, ruffled his feathers gently, and smiled.
The insouciant iguana shook his head.
«A safe bet? It’s not Vegas here, it’s Helena! I want to live a little. I want something different! I want … Gypsy soup, French Syrah from Languedoc, and … cobbler! Yes, cobbler.»
«Cobbler?’ gobbled the turkey derisively. «With Gypsy soup? And Syrah? In Helena? My, you do have a little reptilian brain, don’t you! That’s just crazy.»
«I don’t care if it’s crazy,» said the iguana with his trademark nonchalance. «It’s what I want.»
And, lo and behold, there it was on the menu: a soup and cobbler special for under $ 10, and a glass of red wine from Languedoc for $ 8.
And … it was cherry cobbler! And the soup had local yams and celery and other vegetables floating in a flavorful broth, and the wine had an appealing mix of fruit, structure, and spice and the cobbler was bursting with big Montana cherries in a soft, pie-​like crust and it was delicious (
).
And the traditional turkey picked at his salad, sipped his iced tea, and slurped his tomato cream soup and sighed. «This is just what I expected,» he said. And left it at that.
«And *this* is just what I wanted,» affirmed the iguana. «The jackrabbit under the piano is neat, too.»
«Oh,» said the turkey. «That’s a surprise!»
«Not really,» replied the iguana blithely. «Not at Benny’s, it’s not.»
Moral: Adventurous lunches are possible if you don’t have a comfort zone to worry about. Seize the moment, but be cool about it. Just like the insouciant iguana.

The only potential problem is the parking situation. Very limited street parking but some meters and lots within walking distance.
The best tomato soup. Ever.
Lower prices than I expected. Granted, I was there for lunch, but still.

I am back in town and this time i stopped in for dinner. i was not disappointed. This was a good dinner.
You can choose between a full entrée or tapas. I chose tapas and picked an Italian Caesar artichoke and a vegan curry. Both were very good and enough for me to eat. They carry a red wine made from Flathead cherries. i was surprised how good it was and enjoyed it for dinner. This was a red wine made from cherries, rather than grapes. it is hard to find a really good wine on a by the glass menu. This was much better than expected.
All in all, i had a very pleasant evening. This is a place to come back to; i have now had a good lunch and a good dinner. As long as I come back to Helena, i will periodically stop in here.

Super impressed by this place, though I have to admit I have some bias as a good friend of mine is a server here.
I used to live in Helena and had had Benny’s catering, but never made it into the actual restaurant until this past Thanksgiving. I stopped in the Wednesday evening before Turkey Day.
Interior is low key with old jazz instruments (clarinets, saxes, etc) hung on the walls, and an open kitchen facing the dining area.
I had the «locavore» special, which was 4 courses for $ 20, and I believe is offered on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. You get to pick a small appetizer, soup or salad, an entrée, and dessert.
My friend has explained that the restaurant prides itself on using locally source items, but I do wonder a bit about some of the things. .. the appetizer I picked was pan-​fried oysters (ocean oysters apparently from Oregon, though the Rocky Mountain variety would have been more local ;) There were two large oysters, that were delicious.
The Caesar salad was competent, but didn’t blow me away.
For my entrée I had the beef stroganoff. A bit surprised that there were no egg noodles. Instead, the starchy component was provided by mashed potatoes. The entrée was plated interestingly, with a boat-​like dish containing the stroganoff, the mashed potatoes sitting in the middle, and set on top of a another plate. While I was originally disappointed not to have egg noodles, the whole dish worked, and by the end I was wanting more potatoes. The beef was tender and the flavors were delicious.
For dessert I picked the decadent chocolate or something like that. A small piece of chocolate cake, of the denser variety. The cake by itself was mundane, but the raspberry glaze was fantastic.
Not necessarily five star dining, but a nice, sit-​down meal, and a bargain for the price. Highly recommend.