Sadly, a mere average experience compared to when they operated as a full restaurant. Automatic 18% gratuity was a surprise for a 3-person party on a buffet (Mother's Day) especially when plate were left at the table long after returning to the buffet.

Everything was awesome and as I fondly remember all the memories of dining at this high class treat. The brunch was plentiful and deliciously varied and the staff was attentive and engaging. The decor was tastefully and graciously pleasing for children and adults. My attending family wants this to be a family tradition. Guests chose eggs from a basket, and I got the one with chocolate and my meal was paid for - an extra special Easter blessing. Whenever this vendor is on, tou have to go!!!!

We had a totally lovely Easter brunch here! Everyone was delighted with the food, the mimosas, the super-friendly service, and of course, the adorable Easter Bunny. It was really a great time and we hope to be back next year!

Well the Benson more than beat our expectations. It was a real special experience for us for Christmas dinner. We actually got the private table in the wine room. What a treat! Wait staff could have been better and the voices off the pre-fixed menu were yummy. We had all the choices covered between us all and everything was spectacular.

Thanks for such a great evening.

This was my wife's and my first dining experience at the Weston Benson Hotel. We prefer buffet dining, so we eagerly made reservations. The food, table service and ambiance were superb. Denise was especially attentive, informative and pleasant. She mentioned the other holidays when the Benson uses the Rosewood room and, while there, we made reservations for Thanksgiving dinner at 4:30 PM. Although we prefer a buffet, we decided to experience dining from a list of entrees. We hope that it will be equally satisfying.

Last Christmas, we dined at another prominent downtown Portland hotel where a buffet was served. It, too, was very delicious; however, what set apart our Mother's Day dining experience from our Christmas experience was the attentiveness of your staff, especially Denise. Everyone was A-1. By contrast, I would rate our Christmas buffet experience as a "D". Credit goes to your restaurant and hotel management for their attention to detail and for a total focus on hospitality. You did a fine job and we will be back!

The risotto was bland, the scallops too soft and prime rib sat with a tablespoon of powdered mashed potatoes. The dessert tasted like it came from Walmart, could not eat more than first bite.

The main floor of the hotel has such character. The downstairs where we dined is so not the same! It seems to be an afterthought. The meal was fine and staff were very nice.

We really enjoyed our Christmas dinner at the Benson. It was very nicely decorated with a musician softly playing a guitar, the waiter was very friendly, and did a great job making us feel welcome and special. The pace of the dinner was relaxed and we didn't feel rushed and we were able to relax and really enjoy our special dinner.

I remember coming here with my parents many years ago for holiday dinners. I wasn't disappointed at all and look forward to starting this traditional with my family.

This was supposed to be a special Christmas Day dining out experience. Well, it was an experience, but not in a good way. To begin with, we would have preferred to eat later than 5:30 but we were given to understand that 5:30 was the latest available time. We were there until nearly 7 and at no time was the dining room more than half full. As a result there was zero energy in the room. Most of the diners were senior citizens (including us). Wait staff veered from overly friendly and poorly trained, to barely acknowledging the diners and poorly trained. Food was a big disappointment. My mushroom truffle soup arrived with a full pat of butter floating on top of a skim of truffle oil in a soup cup. The soup was so cold that the pat of butter didn't melt. That made it easy to fish out of the soup, but the wait staff left it on my bread plate for the entire dinner. So unappetizing. I had the ricotta and wild rice crepes entree. They arrived on a cold plate, having clearly been put through the oven to be warmed up so that the crepes were crispy like a cannelloni shell on the edges and chewy/soggy in the middle. The wild rice stuffing was undercooked--hard bits of wild rice, miniscule ricotta cheese if any, and lots of pepper. There was no sauce at all. The Brussels sprouts were likewise cold, but had been over roasted at some point in too much oil, and the entire plate of food was doused in more black pepper. That was my $33 dinner: a cup of cold mushroom soup, 2 bad crepes and a handful of Brussels sprouts, and a square of gingerbread with canned cranberry relish on the side. On the other hand, for $35, my partner had two big slabs of some kind of pork roast, with a big slice of some bread-y dressing loaf, gravy, and a mound of over-cooked kale. He also got a small handful of the kind of mixed greens lettuce that comes in a bag, and an anemic chocolate mousse with store bought sugar cookies. I'd go on but I'm out of space. Should have settled for pretzels in the bar.

Honestly, this place was the "land that time forgot." Service and food were good, however I will not return, nor recommend this place to friends.

It is so nice that the Benson is once again using the London Grill for special occasions like Christmas dinner. The decorations, ambiance and music made for a special event.

I knew the hotel had closed the London Grill some time ago, but hoped that some semblance of it's ambiance and service and food remained, especially for Christmas dinner. It was not to be. Both of us ordered the Prime Rib, appropriate to the season. I had the mushroom soup for an opener; my partner had the salad (only two choices). No rave reviews there, soup bland, salad ok. Entree was uneventful except to say the quality of the prime rib was very good. The mashed potatoes must have come out of a box and were over-watered. The sauce for the meat had been prepared with cornstarch or some kind of thickener; what's wrong with au jus? To complete the plate were two slices of sweet potato treated as an after thought. Dessert could have saved some of the joy the day usually brings. My chocolate mousse with peppermint candy shards was acceptable only to the degree that it could have been worse. We cannot remember what my partner had for dessert, so that must say something. The intent of the servers was well-placed but the execution was so wanting. Refilling our coffee called for picking up our cup at the rim with bare fingers. All in all, training of the servers could be stepped up. Reaching across the front of the diner is a no-no. Being too talkative and palsy is a no-no. And, finally, turning the lights lower by couple of clicks would have done wonders for the ambiance. I am going to try to forget this experience and remember the glory days of the old London Grill.

I have dinned at the Benson several times for brunch and historically it has always been very good. This time though, you changed the style of your tables and chairs and they just are elegant like before. It looks more like a "banquet room" The waiter we had was very poor service. He made us feel as though everything we asked for was a pain. Again, we have had some outstanding servers at your restaurant in the past and this time was just very disappointing in every way possible.

Easter brunch was fantastic/ great choices, excellent food!

not much service. had to ask for coffee, etc by stopping whoever walked by our table. food was less than outstanding. lamb was very tough. overall it was just so-so.

My 4th year for Easter brunch, food is always good, really like the Ambiance (nice music, Ice sculptures & floral arrangements in such beautiful hotel). The only detractor was having to sit behind one of the servers working an omelet table and having a number on the table (seemed a bit impersonal ) also the servers this time around did not in seem to be sync with what the dinners, This left me feeling a little awkward (for example clearing plates from the table is fine but not replacing silverware, napkins or refreshing drinks while going between course left me begging for service and waiting helplessly for utensils before I could enjoy the next course. I'm planning to come back again next year. I hope they will be on top of their game.

Went here for Easter brunch and couldn't eat enough. Wide array of food choices; the braised beef was a favorite. Plenty of fruit, desserts, and champagne! Sure to please anyone.

Food is great, I especially like their oysters. Too bad it's a one-time thingy, you can tell some servers are part-timers, otherwise they could hire a better or more professional meat carvery.

Great service. and great brunch.

Don't think we'll do this again. It was ok, but didn't co pare with the brunch we used to have at the Benson

HIGHLY RECOMMEND!! ALWAYS A DELIGHT TO DINE IN THIS HISTORIC HOTEL!

The menu could be expanded but the quality and presentation is top notch.
My wife and mother think they had the best seafood they have ever tasted.

Always love The Benson's restaurant options.

Could use a bit of sprucing up as it feels like the 70's..in the basement...could be quite lovely with some new inspiration..staff was very friendly however..

The London Grill is great. We were there for Thanksgiving. We had the same waiter we have had for the last 5 years. We is wonderful. The food was delicious.