Bozeman

Western Cafe, Bozeman, 10/26/23

~ hsnixon ~ 5 Comments
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 →

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

~ hsnixon ~ 4 Comments
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 →

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

~ hsnixon ~ 3 Comments
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 →