Benicia Restaurant Tips by atufft

Union Hotel: Old Hotel, Satisfying Chef's Work

The Union Hotel building is a historic monument. The inside of the building is all wood craft, and the outside authentic from the period. Yet, the hotel has changed hands several times, and in the past the restaurant was only so-so. The menu and quality of food has improved in recent years. The menu is varied, which is typical in a California restaurant, but the main entres are predominantly Italian pasta dishes. My dad had fresh made ravioli, while I had a crab caneloni dish. The wine list is mostly local, with a lot on the low end of the price/quality choice. The beer list is good, with a couple of good draft choices, and a very good bottle choice. The Union Hotel devotes an entire page to the many types of Martini's available now. The opportunity to sit outside on a pleasant sunny day in Benicia had a lot to do with our choice of restaurant for lunch. We found only three, although all three are quite competitive with each other in quality, the Union Hotel wins the class contest for having cloth napkins, fine China and flatware, and formalized table service. I can't rate this as a wild and shockingly great culinary experience, but I wouldn't hesitate to return for another meal here. For lunch, the heavy outdoor furniture were an easy place to leash the dog while my dad and I talked and ate. Breakfast brunch, lunch, and dinner are served, and price/quality ratio is reasonable.

Favorite Dish: It had been many years since I had eaten at the Union Hotel, and the last time was at night. I recommend trying whatever looks good. Based on what we ate, chances are other menu items will also be good.

Comparison: more expensive than average

Price: US$21-30

Rating: 4

Theme: Eclectic/International