Restaurant in Montana (Missoula, Bozeman, Helena: home, wedding, to buy)

[chef82]

I am looking to open a fine dining restaurant in MT. I have lived in Bozeman for a few years and am somewhat familiar with the state. Several cities I am considering would be Big Sky, Missoula, or Helena. If anyone has any thoughts or ideas I would like to hear them. The phrase "fine dining", I think, has been misused. This restaurant would be Contemporary American with French Influence, similar to those in Napa Valley, Las Vegas, and New York......all places that I have worked before.

[Stephan_K]

You know what I really miss and haven't seen in NW MT... a good Italian cuisine restaurant. Man could i go for a good seafood linguine in a white cream sauce, some pasta fagioli and a damn good marinara ! Or maybe some cod or chicken franchese with some risotto and a wicked bowl of wedding soup. All cooked by someone else for a change ! I'm getting sick and tired of having to cook this myself.

Ooo Ooo Ooo... or some home made seafood ravioli in a lobster cream sauce !!!! HOLY CRAP am I getting hungry again. And I just finished dinner !

How about some bad ass sausage soup... Italian stuffed shrimp ?! A kick ass Parmigiana !!!!!

OK... I have to stop this madness now.

[chef82]

Lobster Ravioli with Poached Hawaiian Blue Prawns, Ginger Foam and Asparagus 'Confit', or Fuyu Persimmon Carpaccio with Micro Celery Salad and Fresh Horseradish Root, or Sea Hokkaido Sea Scallops with Saffron Israeli Couscous, Citrus foam and Roasted Green Zebra Tomatoes, or Butter poached Crayfish with Fava Beans and Fiddlehead Ferns and Pomme Maximme. This is the type of food I enjoy cooking. Let me know.

[Stephan_K]

When are you coming over ?????? How's tomorrow at 5 ?

[bigtrees]

Fine dining in Montana?

I'm picturing a couple guys sitting around a campfire eating freeze dried lamb and mash potatoes in the middle of the Bob Marshall.

[Stephan_K]

Camp fires, deer sticks, jerky, smoked salmon and grilled trout is the finest of all dining to me, especially while traveling the Bob . This is the kind of fine dining we get to enjoy all the time without a doubt.

Sometimes I just need a break from all that good stuff and have to go sit down in a restaurant somewhere to enjoy something different ! Well the wife does more so than me and make me go... She doesn't have to twist my arm much either . But since I have to go I like to indulge !

[rickers]

Originally Posted by chef82

Lobster Ravioli with Poached Hawaiian Blue Prawns, Ginger Foam and Asparagus 'Confit', or Fuyu Persimmon Carpaccio with Micro Celery Salad and Fresh Horseradish Root, or Sea Hokkaido Sea Scallops with Saffron Israeli Couscous, Citrus foam and Roasted Green Zebra Tomatoes, or Butter poached Crayfish with Fava Beans and Fiddlehead Ferns and Pomme Maximme. This is the type of food I enjoy cooking. Let me know.

I really think that Montana won't support a restaurant like that at this time. Many of the folks here just wouldn't know what to order and wouldn't have the money to pay the bill for that grade of cuisine. We need southern style BBQ joints and Mexican restaurants more than fine dining places.

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[grizzfan]

Missoula has several resturants that might fit your capabilities but I have no idea whether they are hiring:

The Keep - formerly Shadow's Keep - my favorite place.
Pearl - haven't been there for a couple of years but has outstanding cuisine.
Red Bird - Again, haven't been there in years but has great reputation.
The Depot - fine food available but too noisey for my.
Ciao Mambo - Italian mostly but, again, noisey.
Blue Canyon - Part of the Hilton Garden Inn - great kitchen.

That's a start. Good luck.

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[Kristynwy]

Originally Posted by rickers

I really think that Montana won't support a restaurant like that at this time. Many of the folks here just wouldn't know what to order and wouldn't have the money to pay the bill for that grade of cuisine. We need southern style BBQ joints and Mexican restaurants more than fine dining places.

Yes and No, everyone has individual financial circumstances and taste for different restaurants. So not necessarily....

[bigtrees]

Do you guys ever drool over the freeze dried food they sell in sporting good stores? I sure do. I'll read the dishes before going on a camping trip and sure wish I could bring myself to buy some.

But then I look at the price tag and see $12.99 or $14.99 or $18.99 and think the food really isn't worth that much. But it'd be nice!