Bozeman

Western Cafe, Bozeman, 10/26/23

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exterior – 443 E Main St, Bozeman, MT 59715

The Western Cafe specializes in American home cooking, serving breakfast and lunch.  It is in a building that dates to the 1870s and the place feels like it’s been there a while.  There’s most always a line to wait for seating when you enter.  A long counter with classic swivel stools is one side of the 2 rooms, with tables filling the rest of it and the smaller second room.   Behind the counter is the pie container with fresh pies of the day and beside is the bin for their housemade cinnamon rolls. Parking is on the street, country music played in the background and the wood walls are covered with art, memorabilia and kitsch.  They aim for an “old west” ambiance and they capture it.    The line moved quickly and we snagged two seats at the counter for a fun and tasty meal.  It’s not world-class food or cutting edge, but instead good solid and generous meals that I’d partake of regularly if it was in my town. Continue reading →

Los Pinos, Livingston, MT, 10/25/23

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exterior – 102 Rogers Ln, Livingston, MT 59047

Los Pinos is operated by Cristian Ramirez and his nephew Brian.   It’s pretty non-descript and right next to a casino in an old Travel Lodge building, so you might easily pass it by.  Inside it’s a medium-sized place with booths, large tables, a long bar, music in the background and windows to the outside that remind you of where you are but inside it’s nice. You also wouldn’t expect to find good Mexican food in Montana but you can find it here.  They don’t show it online but they also offer a lunch menu with a lot of the dinner options at a cheaper price.  Service was friendly and efficient, as validated by the number of regulars who stopped in for quick and filling lunch.  It was a tasty lunch but not as spicy as I’m used to but a good lunch of well-made Mexican food. Continue reading →

Feast Raw Bar & Bistro, Bozeman, 10/24/23

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exterior – 270 W Kagy Blvd Ste C, Bozeman, MT 59715

Feast Raw Bar and Bistro was the result of a collaboration of longtime chef/restauranteurs Steve Kuntz and Caroline Doern.  Unfortunately Caroline is no longer on the team but Executive Chef Nikki Dupre does a very fine job.  They stress using local ingredients and produce, meat and fish that are harvested in a sustainable manner.  The medium sized place, hidden in a shopping center has lowered lighting, music in the background, lots of interesting light fixtures, some windows to the outside (screened for sunlight), bookcases to divide the small tables and an L-shaped bar that sells only beer and wine.  This one I would definitely put on your list to visit. Continue reading →

Fink’s Delicatessen, Bozeman, 10/24/23

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building – 600 N Wallace Ave #4, Bozeman, MT 59715

Fink’s Delicatessen is a small place serving specialty sandwiches, soups and salads in addition to cured meats and cheeses sold by the pound.  Located in an area that has residential and warehouse buildings, it is in the same building as Wild Crumb the artisan bakery that supplies its breads.  Wild Crumb was opened by twin sisters Lauren Heemstra and Caroline Schwitzer, who is married to Jonathan Finkenauer who opened Fink’s Deli.  Lauren’s sister-in-law is the manager and cheesemonger at Finks – a truly family-owned business.  As you wind your way through the building you find the long room that houses Fink’s  Two refridgerated cases are at the end, one with pre-made sandwiches and salads and one with cheeses.  Bench seating lines one wall and a few small tables are around the various racks of good for sale.  Open every day except Sunday, the cold sandwiches are ready at 8 but the warm ones are available at 10.  They do make the warm ones while you wait and they are large and delicious.  I would be a frequent customer here if I lived closer.  I snapped some photos of the bakery but was way too full to try any of the stuff. Continue reading →

J. W. Heist Steakhouse, Bozeman, 10/23/23

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exterior – 27 E Main St STE B, Bozeman, MT 59715
menu

J. W. Heist Steakhouse was named for the great-grandfather of co-founder Brett Evje, who was a cattle rancher.  The other co-founder, Michael Ochsner is a sommelier, who maintains the wine list.  Opening Jan. 3, 2023, the place is all about wood fire cooking under Chef John Thayer.  It was a fairly large classic steakhouse interior with very low lighting, jazz music in the background, white tableclothes and candles, lots of dark wood, red leather upholstery, brick walls decorated with paintings and animal head mounts.  A large U-shaped bar took up much of one room where you could eat and/or drink.  Interestingly the 2 animal mounts near us were not native Montana breeds.  Service was first rate and the food was pretty good, especially if you’re in a beefy mood. Continue reading →