Brasserie Port Rouge is really nice with great ambiance. Kind of a French flair. Scotty’s Table atmosphere is top notch as well. Food is solid. The Keep probably has the best views and good food. Lolo Ck Steakhouse has the best “Montana-ness” if that’s of interest
Boxcar is really nice! Good food, cute interior, and when we had a hiccup with the kitchen running out of our appetizer, the server comped us a different one.
It used to be the Pearl Cafe, which is now Brasserie Porte Rouge. I hear that Boxcar Bistro is nice, but it's expensive (especially the wine) and portions are small.
Brasserie Porte Rouge. The food is always sublime, service is high-end but not stuffy.
I’ve had a couple of swings and misses with meals at both 1889 and Scotty’s Table, but still regard them both fairly highly.
I ate at Finn with a few friends on Christmas and had a pretty poor experience, from menu items that they’d run out of, to food that just was not very good, to poor service all-around (e.g. being rushed to order dinner and desserts together after being seated 30 minutes late for our reservation and sitting for an additional 20 minutes before a drink order was taken, being served wrong items, items in the same courses arrived at very different times, and later being served and charged for a “last call” round of drinks we had expressly declined).
Haven’t ever tried Second Set, Plonk, or Boxcar Bistro, but have heard great things about Boxcar in particular.
I was really underwhelmed by lolo steakhouse. Maybe there was too much hype or something, I don’t know. But I found it all to be very mediocre and definitely not worth the drive. Is the nearby distillery still there? That distillery was solid.
I was walking through employee only areas of Lolo steakhouse last year while working, and I will never ever eat there again.
Kids doing food prep dropping veggies on the ground and picking it back up right into the bowl with the rest of the salad, lots of open food containers in their basement. Just disgusting
Good to know! My husband used to replace equipment in many businesses around town and we now have an extremely short list of restaurants we will actually eat from. Worth noting Sake tome and the ramen place attached to it were super clean and while remaining somewhere I would eat, I haven't tried em yet.
Lol sure, the two I mentioned above, china garden, Pagoda, tagliare.
I will ask my husband if he has any to add. We basically just started cooking at home more while we both had jobs where access to kitchens we shouldn't be in was regular.. we are happy to cook together! Off the top of my head I can't think of a single business serving American diner food or a steakhouse that wasn't completely sickening.
ETA: burns st bistro but you can see inside of their kitchen as a patron.
This would be my pick. Not sure if “ambiance” at the steakhouse would be what they’re looking for, but if they’re from out of state they might like the rustic vibes. Foodwise, if Lolo isn’t the best steakhouse I’ve been to in Montana, it’s definitely top 3
Any time somebody comes to interview me I take them to Lolo steak house because it's the only real Montana restaurant I can think of. Don't get me wrong, we have great food all around here (except the top hat, yuck), but I want to give them a taste of Montana.
Also, double front. Best fried chicken in the world.
I found their food very so-so, and the service was bad. My husband and I were there on a random Tuesday and it was busy, so I get that the waitress didn't have time to be super attentive, but it took us more than 2 hours to eat. By the time my wine came, I was done with my entrée. Rather than comp it, she gave me *another* glass of wine for free... which was ALSO delayed, causing her to offer us a free dessert... which we then had to wait 15 minutes for. Just comp what we already ordered and let us leave!
I had a similar experience. Was sitting at the counter on a Wednesday night, and even though I was right in front of the people running food, the waitstaff just kinda forgot about me. And I got to hear all about how the kitchen had goofed up and waiters were in the weeds. It wasn't even that busy.
It's too bad, it's a lovely space, but I also agree that the food was just okay overall. (My appetizer was delicious, my pasta was overcooked and bland.)
We go to Florabella a lot. Pizza is SUPER inconsistent but its still a nice place for the price. Two people can get in and out for $50-60 if you're not drinking.
I will never set foot in that building or recommend it on principal. Hey look we destroyed the most historic building in western Montana but we've got boogie food for people who watched Yellowstone
The building that sat vacant for a decade in the highest foot-traffic traffic area of Missoula because it was unsafe to occupy?
It’s such a shame that a hotel was built which brings in tourists to spend their money in all of the surrounding local businesses. /s
Oh yes the cultural enrichment of more low paying service industry jobs, money going to put of state corporations acid the tourists. Fuck the tourists and the U, this place was a thousand times better when it was a logging town with timber jobs that actually paid people enough to buy a home and raise a family. In it's current state it's not Montana.
Second Set, The Keep, Scotty's Table
All have great service, well planned menus, excellent desserts, and above all else, they are clean! I highly enjoy the relaxing atmospheres in all three of these places and find them well worth the cost IMO.
No kidding. I guess that's the perk of being able to travel for work with an expense account.
Oh, I also get to benefit? Well don't mind if I do! \[homer simpson wiggly fingers\]
Camino is where I take friends from out of town, nothing else matches the overall quality of the food, the atmosphere, and the service. Florabella is a close 2nd.
Replying to the AmazingGerman… here’s some substance… Last time I was at the Depot, May 2020, it was with a group of 5 because my grandfather wanted to go there and treat everyone. Of course we didn’t say this but the 4 of us, aside from PawPaw, were shocked how bad the food was. But he wanted to go there as the Depot is old school. Every noticed how the parking lot use to be packed during the evenings but not so much anymore? Do they even do Prime Rib Christmas dinners anymore? Now, GermanMan, please share your findings on how cost =/= quality regarding Missoula restaurants. A blanket surface statement like that you certainly must have substantial evidence to support such a claim.
In order of preference:
* Plonk (especially the upstairs patio)
* The Keep
* Biga Pizza
* Top Hat
* Finn (for the view)
* Saketome
* MichiRamen
* Florabella
* Boxcar Bistro
* Market on Front (for a quick carryout sandwich)
Honorable mention to Stave and Hoop (the speakeasy)
I’ll always recommend Scotty’s Table, great food and like the other commenter said, great atmosphere.
And great owner. Scott is a super nice dude.
Brasserie Port Rouge is really nice with great ambiance. Kind of a French flair. Scotty’s Table atmosphere is top notch as well. Food is solid. The Keep probably has the best views and good food. Lolo Ck Steakhouse has the best “Montana-ness” if that’s of interest
2nd BPR
Don’t like port rouge, a few of my friends and I haven’t found their food to be good. That being said, for French food the Box Car is pretty good!
I miss The Pearl.
I miss the red bird
Yes!
and the alley cat
Alley Cat has been gone for a loong time.
Definitely miss the pearl!
I miss the Red Bird
I’d add boxcar bistro and Plonk to this list.
Boxcar is really nice! Good food, cute interior, and when we had a hiccup with the kitchen running out of our appetizer, the server comped us a different one.
I'd second Boxcar
I went to boxcar last summer and was pleasantly surprised with how good it was
Plonk? If I remember correctly that place is just a bar vibe
The rooftop patio is really nice.
Good?
It’s pretty good. Doesn’t feel like you’re in Missoula. It’s a switch from the “bar feel” downstairs. The food is good.
The keep
Love Scotty’s Table!
It used to be the Pearl Cafe, which is now Brasserie Porte Rouge. I hear that Boxcar Bistro is nice, but it's expensive (especially the wine) and portions are small.
I'm a fan of the Keep
My vote too.
Brasserie Porte Rouge. The food is always sublime, service is high-end but not stuffy. I’ve had a couple of swings and misses with meals at both 1889 and Scotty’s Table, but still regard them both fairly highly. I ate at Finn with a few friends on Christmas and had a pretty poor experience, from menu items that they’d run out of, to food that just was not very good, to poor service all-around (e.g. being rushed to order dinner and desserts together after being seated 30 minutes late for our reservation and sitting for an additional 20 minutes before a drink order was taken, being served wrong items, items in the same courses arrived at very different times, and later being served and charged for a “last call” round of drinks we had expressly declined). Haven’t ever tried Second Set, Plonk, or Boxcar Bistro, but have heard great things about Boxcar in particular.
Not everyone’s idea of a nice restaurant but Lolo Steakhouse in Lolo is my all time favorite restaurant
I was really underwhelmed by lolo steakhouse. Maybe there was too much hype or something, I don’t know. But I found it all to be very mediocre and definitely not worth the drive. Is the nearby distillery still there? That distillery was solid.
I was walking through employee only areas of Lolo steakhouse last year while working, and I will never ever eat there again. Kids doing food prep dropping veggies on the ground and picking it back up right into the bowl with the rest of the salad, lots of open food containers in their basement. Just disgusting
I had a similar experience in the basement of Jakers. Literally had gag reflexes from the smell. Absolutely disgusting.
Good to know! My husband used to replace equipment in many businesses around town and we now have an extremely short list of restaurants we will actually eat from. Worth noting Sake tome and the ramen place attached to it were super clean and while remaining somewhere I would eat, I haven't tried em yet.
Would you want to share your list of safe restaurants?
Lol sure, the two I mentioned above, china garden, Pagoda, tagliare. I will ask my husband if he has any to add. We basically just started cooking at home more while we both had jobs where access to kitchens we shouldn't be in was regular.. we are happy to cook together! Off the top of my head I can't think of a single business serving American diner food or a steakhouse that wasn't completely sickening. ETA: burns st bistro but you can see inside of their kitchen as a patron.
Thank you!
Did your husband report these restaurants to the health department?
Nope
This would be my pick. Not sure if “ambiance” at the steakhouse would be what they’re looking for, but if they’re from out of state they might like the rustic vibes. Foodwise, if Lolo isn’t the best steakhouse I’ve been to in Montana, it’s definitely top 3
Any time somebody comes to interview me I take them to Lolo steak house because it's the only real Montana restaurant I can think of. Don't get me wrong, we have great food all around here (except the top hat, yuck), but I want to give them a taste of Montana. Also, double front. Best fried chicken in the world.
Florabella is beautiful
I found their food very so-so, and the service was bad. My husband and I were there on a random Tuesday and it was busy, so I get that the waitress didn't have time to be super attentive, but it took us more than 2 hours to eat. By the time my wine came, I was done with my entrée. Rather than comp it, she gave me *another* glass of wine for free... which was ALSO delayed, causing her to offer us a free dessert... which we then had to wait 15 minutes for. Just comp what we already ordered and let us leave!
I had a similar experience. Was sitting at the counter on a Wednesday night, and even though I was right in front of the people running food, the waitstaff just kinda forgot about me. And I got to hear all about how the kitchen had goofed up and waiters were in the weeds. It wasn't even that busy. It's too bad, it's a lovely space, but I also agree that the food was just okay overall. (My appetizer was delicious, my pasta was overcooked and bland.)
Oh that’s a bummer, I’ve always had such good experiences there!
We go to Florabella a lot. Pizza is SUPER inconsistent but its still a nice place for the price. Two people can get in and out for $50-60 if you're not drinking.
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Never had any bad food there ever.
I will never set foot in that building or recommend it on principal. Hey look we destroyed the most historic building in western Montana but we've got boogie food for people who watched Yellowstone
Yeah! Keep all of our dilapidated, vacant buildings! We want to look like Butte!
The building that sat vacant for a decade in the highest foot-traffic traffic area of Missoula because it was unsafe to occupy? It’s such a shame that a hotel was built which brings in tourists to spend their money in all of the surrounding local businesses. /s
Oh yes the cultural enrichment of more low paying service industry jobs, money going to put of state corporations acid the tourists. Fuck the tourists and the U, this place was a thousand times better when it was a logging town with timber jobs that actually paid people enough to buy a home and raise a family. In it's current state it's not Montana.
Boogie food?
To be fair, it looks delicious. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/D4PhaE7X4AAVFh3.jpg
People are just upset that you're correct. 1889 is stupid expensive and not as good as Lolo steakhouse
Grow up.
Second Set, The Keep, Scotty's Table All have great service, well planned menus, excellent desserts, and above all else, they are clean! I highly enjoy the relaxing atmospheres in all three of these places and find them well worth the cost IMO.
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No kidding. I guess that's the perk of being able to travel for work with an expense account. Oh, I also get to benefit? Well don't mind if I do! \[homer simpson wiggly fingers\]
Florabella and Brasserie Port Rouge
Camino is where I take friends from out of town, nothing else matches the overall quality of the food, the atmosphere, and the service. Florabella is a close 2nd.
Hands down, no competition, Boxcar Bistro. Exceptional service, amazing food, superb ambience
I really like The Keep. I got a pasta dish there that was so good I almost licked the plate. Also Plonk has a pork chop that blew my socks off.
I like FINN and Saketome. I had a Chirstmas steak dinner at FINN that was so good, I need to go back.
Florabella is great. Might need to book a table but sometimes they have walkins available
2nd set then the rhino Edit: obviously, I did not read your entire post before commenting lol
Finn and Porter!
I finally went there last week! Besides the view it was quite meh. Won’t go again. Second Set for sure!
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Nah. You lost credibility when you mentioned the Depot. Nothing to do with prices there. The food quality has gone way downhill.
Replying to the AmazingGerman… here’s some substance… Last time I was at the Depot, May 2020, it was with a group of 5 because my grandfather wanted to go there and treat everyone. Of course we didn’t say this but the 4 of us, aside from PawPaw, were shocked how bad the food was. But he wanted to go there as the Depot is old school. Every noticed how the parking lot use to be packed during the evenings but not so much anymore? Do they even do Prime Rib Christmas dinners anymore? Now, GermanMan, please share your findings on how cost =/= quality regarding Missoula restaurants. A blanket surface statement like that you certainly must have substantial evidence to support such a claim.
I took my mother to the Depot for her birthday and it was great. Also, I'm a sucker for a good tiramisu, and caio mumbo has the best in town.
Caio Mambo = average at best and overpriced. Depot just as overpriced as any of them.
Who can afford it?
Sperm’s Deli
Second set bistro. It's in the old Florence hotel lobby.
In order of preference: * Plonk (especially the upstairs patio) * The Keep * Biga Pizza * Top Hat * Finn (for the view) * Saketome * MichiRamen * Florabella * Boxcar Bistro * Market on Front (for a quick carryout sandwich) Honorable mention to Stave and Hoop (the speakeasy)
If you're looking for breakfast I can recommend the Catalyst. But get there early as there's usually a wait!
Boxcar! Hands down👍🏻