Camp West — Restaurant in Seattle

I recommend Camp West for their amazing service and good (but not quite excellent) food.

My partner and I arrived on a Friday around 7:30 pm. Even though the place seemed very busy, the host was very friendly and welcoming, which we always appreciate, and we were seated promptly. Within a minute or two of being seated, our server arrived to bring us water, and they were super welcoming, friendly, and attentive for the duration of our stay!

In contrast to the excellent service, the food was hit and miss.

We ordered beer on tap and an appetizer, the fried ravioli. Our beer arrived quickly, and soon after, the appetizer. The ravioli tasted great, but was served with a pesto sauce that was actually mild and only okay.

For an entree, we ordered the Lumberjack burger. It was served with tots and side of ranch, was cooked medium, and the peppers and sauce combinations were great! Overall, it was an excellent burger that hit the spot, and I strongly recommend it!

We also ordered the Seared Rainbow Trout Fillet, and this entree was a big letdown. One the up side, the fillet had no bones, tasted excellent, and the cooked veggies also tasted excellent. HOWEVER, on the down side, the trout was served in a large bowl and ended up floating in the sauce used to cook the veggies. We were expecting seared fish served with veggies, not fish soup, and the fish texture became more and more soupy over time. The texture and look was actually kinda gross. Even though the food tasted good, I definitely DO NOT recommend the trout. This fish dish should be reimagined with the veggies served separately, or it should be renamed trout soup!

Overall, I would definitely visit Camp West again because of the excellent burger...

Disappointing Experience - Poor Unprofessional Management Overshadows Everything Else

We’ve been to Camp West twice now, and unfortunately, both visits were disappointing for different reasons. On our first visit, we waited over 45 minutes for our orders, only to be served two completely raw burgers that were inedible. We decided to give it another shot, hoping for a better experience, but unfortunately, it was the behavior of the manager that ruined it this time around.

While the food and service itself were not terrible (our bartender, waitress, and bar back were all fantastic—friendly, prompt, and doing their best), the manager’s treatment of her staff was hard to ignore. We overheard her scolding an employee as soon as we walked in, and shortly after, she was rude to the bartender in front of customers. It was clear that the staff was uncomfortable, and the manager’s bad attitude created a toxic atmosphere that affected the whole vibe of the place.

It’s one thing for food and service to be lacking, but when the work environment is nothing but bad vibes, it really makes you question whether you want to return. It’s heartbreaking to see employees trying their best in such a negative environment, and honestly, they deserve better.

We won’t be coming back. If you're thinking of trying it out, just be aware that the manager’s behavior could really overshadow your experience. Everyone deserves to be treated with respect, especially in the workplace. I hope the staff finds a better place to work soon.

I do hope, this review brings some change and professionalism to this establishment. If you need to chat with your employees, please for the love of food & hospitality do...

I have never been to Tacoma's Camp Bar, which is the older sibling of Camp West, so I did not know what to expect. When you walk in, you are greeted with camp chairs, antlers on the wall, and even a figure reclining in a hammock! The camp theme is more cabin retreat in Leavenworth rather than REI high-performance gear in the Enchantments! Though, some might find the camp-themed decor and accoutrement...ahem...campy, I actually found it quite charming and creative. For example, our charcuterie platter came in a Plano tackle box (the refreshingly herby capocollo or "gabagool" was my favorite) and our table water came in a stylish Stanley thermos. For an opening cocktail, I ordered the One-eyed Squirrel...gin with a splash of both lime and cucumber accompanied by an eyeball garnish! I appreciated its simplicity and refreshing flavors, and I kept the eye! I then ordered the gluten-free crunchy chicken sandwich with gluten-free bun. The oversized chicken crunches loudly in your mouth and then quickly melts into an incredible umami blend. I bet even people who can properly digest gluten will enjoy this sandwich! It paired well with the tater tots and house-made dill-infused ranch dressing, creating a complimentary crunch-earthy combo. My dinner companion had the steelhead, and I almost but not quite regretted my choice because the fish was prepared so well! Juicy and moist that also went well with the fingerling potatoes. For those who have mourned the loss of West 5, worry not! This is a worthy successor managed by an old-school West Seattle restauranteur, well on its way to becoming a...