Anyone who has met me knows I love Montana. And I was an early adopter, buying a ski place there long before the pandemic and the series “Yellowstone” made Montana the “it” state. In fact, I have a dog named Montana, and my Airstream is permanently registered there….they do that kind of stuff.
I shot film in Montana and would have turned out a huckleberry-filled Christmas movie if Covid didn’t shut everything down….time to head back now that the food scene is more interesting than ever.
Bozeman
- Blackbird Kitchen: Nominated for Outstanding Restaurant
- Wild Crumb: Nominated for Outstanding Bakery
- Shan (Jarrett Wrisley): Nominated for Best Chef – Mountain
- Brett Evje and Michael Ochser: Outstanding Restaurateur J. W. Heist Steakhouse and Plonk.
While in Bozeman, try the new bathhouse and sauna experience at Umvelt or soak in the renovated Bozeman Hot Springs.
Missoula
- Pangea (Brandon Cunningham): Nominated for Best Chef – Mountain. While you’re there, celebrate the 50th anniversary of A River Runs Through It by exploring Missoula-based fly fishing shops like Blackfoot River Outfitters, or check out the new Missoula Art Museum exhibit highlighting Indigenous land stewardship and storytelling by Salish and Kootenai journalist and photographer Tailyr Irvine
Hamilton
- Ember (Brandon Dearden): Nominated for Best Chef – Mountain. While you’re there, head south to ski powder at Lost Trail, which now offers RFID scanners.
Whitefish
- Herb and Omni (Earl James Reynolds): Nominated for Best Chef – Mountain. While you’re there, head down the road to Blacktail Mountain Ski Area for small-town skiing.
Red Lodge
- One Legged Magpie: Nominated for Outstanding Wine and Other Beverages Program. While you’re there, stop by the Greycliff Mill for the iconic cheese cave.
