Campfire RestaurantEST. 2016

Campfire, an innovative new dining and cocktail concept in the heart of Carlsbad, CA captures and celebrates the spirit of the campfire by utilizing live fire cooking techniques and creating an environment in which friends and loved ones gather together to share great food and drink. An original concept comprised of a vast 6,000 square foot indoor/outdoor space aimed at engaging guests and inciting conversations among strangers, Campfire is designed by award-winning firm Bells and Whistles, diners can expect whimsical references throughout - a welcoming space to enjoy classic cocktails and honest rustic food, all reminiscent of the camping experience. 

A market-driven menu pays homage to the freshest bounty of each season. Using ancient and primitive live-fire cooking methods inspired by the idea of sharing food with friends around the fire, Campfire's ever-evolving menu is centered on the communal dining experience, placing a strong emphasis on locally sourced and sustainable seafood and meats alongside vegetables coming from some of the city’s most well-respected purveyors. Harnessing the potential of the custom 12-foot hearth powered by a Grillworks grill (affectionately referred to as Grace) in the heart of the restaurant, the menu utilizes wood, charcoal, embers and ash to create technique-driven yet deceptively simple dishes that let the ingredients speak for themselves, each with their own story to tell. 

The food at Campfire is complemented by an innovative stream of beverages crafted to create a palatable synergy between bar and kitchen. With an emphasis on classic cocktail techniques and quality spirits and liqueurs along with freshly squeezed citrus and locally grown produce, the beverage program is seamlessly aligned with the culinary vision, focusing on the seasonality of the ingredients available. As with the dining menu, guests can expect a multi-sensory experience produced by the hints of smoke emanating from live fire cooking techniques, reminiscent of the great outdoors.

With a keen attention to detail applied to every aspect of the restaurant’s cocktail and culinary direction, Bells & Whistles placed a similarly strong emphasis in its design approach on instilling a sense of camaraderie throughout the space. Transforming the former auto repair shop anchored by a WWII era Quonset hut-style corrugated metal arch from nearby Camp Pendleton, the designers set out to preserve the historic integrity of the space while infusing the existing structure with a fresh, modernist edge. Incorporating vintage relics sourced from all corners of the country, Bells & Whistles charted their course with the intention of harkening a sense of nostalgia in guests - evoking memories spent camping along the California coastline. Mindfully sourcing inspiration from the natural attributes of the nearby ocean and its surroundings, the designers pulled from the camping narrative to infuse the restaurant with of-the-moment yet equally antiquated elements aiming to subtly transcend guests to an experience reminiscent of the age-old camping culture. From a handcrafted banquette made by local artisans Bradley Mountain to an outdoor 12-foot custom tipi for the children, Bells & Whistles created a blueprint designed in a manner intended to encourage interaction and synergy among guests from all walks of life. Whether enjoying a cocktail at the 25-seat copper bar, sitting down in the dynamic gathering space marked by a custom carved three-dimensional mural depicting a mountainous landscape, or catching a glimpse into the glass-encased bustling kitchen, each guest is invited to gather around and celebrate the spirit of the Campfire.