Taste Worth the Trip
A Taste Worth the Trip
the fun Garden Bar downtown, and a few out of town, such as Echo Lake Café and Mountain Lake Lodge. The latest one to come on to the scene in Big Fork is Invite American Kitchen & Bar, pictured here. This one is definitely worth finding and one of my editor’s picks. Owners Andrew and Andrea Kriss have created an ambiance that is cozy and informal, with live music to dine to provided by a solo guitarist. They have coined their cuisine as creative American with a Northwest flare but, with the talents of Executive Chef Ryan Crum, it was world-class scrumptious, the service top-notch and the wine list is one of the best I’ve seen in the Flathead area. Consider this your INVITEation to Big Fork!
An invitation to Big Fork, Montana By: JEANETTE DUNN
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NVITE, A NEW RESTAURANT IN THIS tiny town on the shore of Flathead Lake is one of several great restaurant finds that Big Fork is known for. We love exploring the tiny towns in nearby neighbors, Montana, Oregon, Idaho and Washington, in search of their hidden gems. There are so many great restaurants throughout the area, and we are very fortunate to have eyes and spies all over who are more than happy to let us know about the good ones. We have received so much input about Big Fork that I had to go up there (more than once) to see what the buzz is all about. This small town makes a huge impression when it comes to the arts and dining scene. In summer, it swells with visitors and secondhome owners that love to escape to that “Village by the Bay” with a charm that makes it feel like home. Flathead Lake is 28 miles long, and lakefront living here is one of the
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most picturesque of the West. Its proximity to Glacier National Park, less than an hour away, and the Swan and Mission Mountain ranges make it a destination for outdoor enthusiasts as well. There are too many great restaurants surrounding the lake to mention them all here, but a few not to miss in Big Fork are: Swan River Inn and Café, ShowThyme, La Provence,
GETTING THERE Big Fork is on the northeast shore of Flathead Lake in Mont., a beautiful four-hour drive from Spokane via I-90 East to St. Regis, Mont., then north through a couple of different route options. Find a Montana map to decide on your best route. Downtown Big Fork is about three blocks long. Invite American Kitchen & Bar is located at: 459 Electric Ave. (Go upstairs in the courtyard at this location.) (406) 837-2786 Keep up with the latest restaurant, food, brew and wine news with our blog online at SpokaneSizzle.com—Click on Sizzle’nCuisine Blog