Camper - Menlo Park, California

Salim Ali Khan

Camper in Menlo Park, CA, got to be the place for our work/team dinner, and it was an experience to remember. Despite making a last-minute reservation for their private dining room (requiring a contract to secure), the team at Camper went above and beyond to accommodate us. With a group that included many vegetarians, they made thoughtful modifications to their prix fixe menu, and we truly appreciated their flexibility. A big shoutout to Jairo, our fantastic host, and to the entire team for delivering a seamless and enjoyable evening.

Camper's commitment to their farm-to-fork mission is evident in the quality of the ingredients, which shine through in every dish. Here's a closer look at what we enjoyed:

Starters
Salad of Tender Lettuces: This fresh and vibrant dish combined crisp radishes, sweet apple slices, crunchy sunflower seeds, and perfectly toasted croutons, all tossed in a tangy Banyul's vinaigrette. A simple yet beautifully executed dish that refreshed our palates and set the tone for the meal.

Chickpea Panisse: The star of the evening for many. This dish featured crispy chickpea cakes paired with twice-cooked carrots, a bold and herbaceous zhoug, mustard greens, and a creamy cashew mole sauce. The flavors were beautifully balanced, making it a standout dish that highlighted Camper's creativity and finesse.

Main Courses
Kimchi Fried Calrose Rice: A delight for vegetarians, this dish brought together perfectly cooked rice with earthy trumpet mushrooms and a topping of citrusy yuzu furikake. Every bite was bursting with flavor, making it a memorable part of the meal.

Santa Maria-Style Marinated Tri-Tip Steak: The tri-tip steak was a masterpiece. Cooked to perfection, it was served with savory lobster mushrooms, peppery watercress and creamy cranberry beans, offering a satisfying and hearty option for the meat lovers at the table.

Dessert
We ended the evening on a high note with Camper S'mores--a nostalgic yet elevated dessert that combined familiar flavors with sophisticated presentation. It was indulgent, fun, and the perfect sweet finish to our meal.

Parking and Accessibility
Parking wasn't too difficult to find as there's a lot close to the restaurant. However, the tree branches in front of the property obscure the restaurant's name from plain sight--a minor inconvenience for an otherwise fantastic experience.

The private dining experience at Camper was exceptional. The thoughtfully crafted dishes, fresh ingredients, and stellar service made for an unforgettable evening. Whether you're hosting a team dinner or looking for an impressive dining spot, Camper delivers on all fronts. Highly recommended!

Sanjay Subhedar

Hope neighborhood restaurant. Has a nice big bar with seating. Two rooms at the back that are good for private parties. We had the sour dough Brea and the corn bread and the Burrata salad as appetizers. Those days when we got free bread on the table are gone. We shared the Halibut and Wagyu Burger. And S’mores for desert. Sonia our server was very good.

Norris Liu

Food and service were excellent at this global inspired fresh gourmet spot in Menlo Park. Met Chef Marcus while he served his creations at a Secret Sea Cove dinner by Outstanding in the Field and decided to visit his local spot. The menu is a curated selection of traditional European and Asian dishes constructed with fresh local produce and served with a twist that exhibits the chef's personality. Who can ever say no to fresh handmade pasta, coastal seafood, and produce from local farms?

I highly encourage you to sample their various dishes if you are in the area.

Adam Rogers

Great little spot in Menlo Park. Like most small neighborhoods in NorCal there is a lot going on around the restaurant including other eateries. The atmosphere is great and the food was excellent. The Japanese Old Fashioned was very good (although $20 although standard is ridiculous). The cornbread starter was great along with the beets. They also had a afforato for desert which I would recommend but use the chocolate gelato instead of the vanilla.

Smitha K

The food was delicious! Tried the black spaghetti with crab, and it was nothing like I’ve tried before. The kimchi fried rice with its crispiness was also a hit. Highly recommend. On the expensive side. With a drink, appetizer and a main, expect to spend $100+ per person.

Matty Ferguson

We had a great experience at Camper! We decided to go out on a whim and are so glad we tried this place. We will definitely be coming back and making it a go to date night. The chicken was delicious and had so much flavor. The rigatoni was simple but had the perfect amount of flavor combinations. Highly recommend!!

Seerat singh

My recent visit to Camper in Menlo Park left much to be desired. Despite arriving five minutes early for our 8:45 PM reservation, we felt hurried and rushed throughout our meal. We were informed upon seating that the kitchen was closing in five minutes. We had made the reservation online. It would’ve been helpful if no reservations were available online for booking five minutes before the kitchen closes.

Our server seemed impatient when seated, pushing us to order quickly. This rushed service continued as our courses arrived promptly, one after another, not allowing us to enjoy each dish fully.
The food itself was, unfortunately, subpar. While the presentation was pleasant, the flavors did not meet expectations for a restaurant of Camper's reputation. The dishes lacked depth and complexity; some components were undercooked or underseasoned.

To add to our disappointment, the server hovered near our table as we finished our meal, making us uncomfortable and pressured to leave. This feeling persisted even when we attempted to settle the bill, as the server stood close by, seemingly eager for us to go.
Our dining experience lasted 41 minutes from a glass of wine, two appetizers, two entrées and one dessert.

Overall, the experience at Camper fell short of what we had hoped for. The rushed atmosphere and mediocre food detracted from what should have been a relaxing dining experience. I would unfortunately not recommend Camper based on this visit for those seeking a leisurely meal with quality cuisine.

Radhika R

Honestly, the food from this place was just gross. The cornbread tasted like it had been cooked in a pan that's never been cleaned - just tasted of old grease. Utterly disgusting. Don't want to know what state this kitchen is in. The corn agnolotti - oh my goodness. The sauce had the appearance of... and I don't say this lightly... vomit. And the filling inside the pasta was thin and runny. Genuinely hope I'm not going to be sick.