Shockingly expensive for what we got
We came here with four adults and one 8-year-old child while trying to catch the ferry back toward Seattle. We had originally tried to eat at the gastropub just two doors down, but it was completely packed with a 45-minute to 1-hour wait. Meanwhile, Base Camp had only 2-3 occupied tables out of maybe 10-12, so because we were short on time, we decided to eat here instead.
Unfortunately, I wish we had waited or gone somewhere else.
Here's what we ordered:
- Two alcohol flights -- $16 each
- Dungeness crab dip -- $18
- Chicken wings -- $20
- Hot honey apple butter flatbread -- $16
- Garlic butter steak bites -- $20
- Cider-braised pulled pork tacos -- $21
- Mac and cheese -- $18
- Kids' cheeseburger -- $13
Our bill was $176 before tip. After a $25 tip and a 3% credit-card fee that we didn't notice until afterward, we spent a little over $200 for five people -- more than $40 per person, including our 8-year-old. My eyeballs practically popped out of my head when I saw the total.
There were definitely some positives. I really like the concept of sourcing ingredients locally, and they even have a map showing where their ingredients come from. Our server was friendly. The chicken wings were really good, the fries with the kids' cheeseburger were also very good, and the cheeseburger itself was probably one of the better things we ordered.
But for these prices, I expected considerably more.
The $20 garlic butter steak bites were extremely chewy. Some pieces felt like I was chewing forever. The $18 mac and cheese was nothing special and honestly tasted like something I could make better at home. The $18 Dungeness crab dip was a very small appetizer and didn't feel worth the price. And the $21 pulled pork tacos were just two average-sized tacos.
The portions in general were surprisingly small. Even when we asked for plates for all the shared food, we were given tiny appetizer-sized plates, maybe six inches across. Trying to actually eat off them without food falling off the sides was awkward. Full-sized plates would have made much more sense.
The atmosphere wasn't particularly enjoyable either. The music was louder than I would want for a restaurant, and the speaker system sounded distorted and very bass-heavy. Instead of being pleasant background music, it was distracting and made the dining experience less comfortable. The alternative-style music selection also wasn't to my taste, although obviously that's subjective. A lower volume and clearer sound system would have made the atmosphere much nicer.
I don't mind paying premium prices for a genuinely great meal. But this simply did not feel like a $200 meal. We ate at another pub the previous day and spent around $100 for all five of us, and we left much more satisfied.
In retrospect, seeing only 2-3 tables occupied here while the gastropub two doors down was completely packed probably should have been our clue.
I really wanted to like Base Camp because I appreciate the local-sourcing concept, and the wings were legitimately good. But between the small portions, very high prices, chewy steak bites, mediocre mac and cheese, unpleasant sound system, and $200+ final cost, I can't justify more than two stars.
If we're back in Port Angeles, we'll be eating somewhere else. read more