Did you know you can get escargot in the Flathead? Or order a bloody mary that constitutes a full-on meal? Our area might not be known for its culinary anomalies, but for the more adventurous eaters, we’ve dug a few out just for you. Our staff photographer Nicole and I had the opportunity to go on a self-guided food tour last month and talk with some of the best chefs in the valley. They gave us a behind the scenes look at these epic creations that are basically edible art. The creativity, skill, and passion of each dish is what put them on this list, and we’re excited to keep exploring the Flathead’s eccentric eats.
70MM Dosa
Namaste Montana
NamasteMontana.com | @NamasteMontana
An ode to Hyderabad's vibrant film industry, Namaste’s three foot wide dosa is served with a tantalizing array of accompaniments. The dosa itself is made by soaking rice and lentils overnight, grinding them, and inducing a fermentation process. Afterwards, the dosa is grilled, sometimes stuffed, and left for dipping with three sauces. The sambar lentil dipping sauce is served with eggplant, tomato, and onion while the tamarind chicken has more of a kick with green and red chilis. Instead of a traditional peanut sauce, Namaste uses coconut chickpea flour and blends in a subtle hint of ginger for their third and final dipping sauce.
Loaded Bloody Mary
Sitting Duck
SittingDuckMt.com | @SittingDuckMT
This might be the most expensive bloody mary you’ve ever had, but for good reason. If you think this is just a bougie cocktail, think again because the Sitting Duck’s award winning “The Works Bloody Mary” is a whole meal. Topped with jumbo shrimp, bacon, a quarter pound double slider, eggroll, and garnished like asparagus and celery, it’s a wonder they can even fit this much into a cup!
Buzz Button
Indah Sushi
IndahSushi.com | @IndahSushi_Restaurant
Traditionally, electric daisies—or buzz buttons as they’re called at Indah Sushi—were used to cure toothaches. These edible flowers release an alkaloid called Spilanthol that causes a tingling sensation in the mouth. In the culinary world, chefs can have a hard time incorporating them into their dishes, as the analgesic effect can be a bold invitation to patrons. But Indah Sushi has always had a proclivity towards the daring. You can find buzz button flakes on the Good Juju roll, or if you prefer your buzz button in a beverage, order the aptly named Electric Feel. Their pro-tip is to try your food first, then take the buzz button to experience a true flavor explosion.
Escargot
Whitefish Lake Restaurant
WhitefishLakeRestaurant.com | @WhitefishLakeRestaurant
When diners at Whitefish Lake Restaurant ask where he gets the escargot, Chef Eric says, “From the lake.” But those snails aren’t the kind you’d want to eat, so thank goodness Chef Eric is only joking. The dish is served with artichoke hearts, garlic butter, and melted brie, and a small bonus is that snail tongs are unnecessary. For reasons that are obvious if you decide to visit, the dish hasn’t changed since the restaurant’s inception, and staff intend for it to stay that way.
Three and Six Penny
The Bird and Billy Coffee House
TheBirdAndBilly.com | @TheBirdAndBilly
Seemingly simple, yet this is truly a unique coffee experience for enthusiasts of the art of the brew. The three and six penny is the brainchild of the Nuila family, owners of Bird and Billy. In the style of mate, coffee grounds of choice are brewed at the bottom of the cup and savored through a filtered straw. Just enough cane sugar brings out the flavor while the heavy cream adds richness. Since a special straw is needed, this drink is better savored “for here”, but filtered straws are also available for purchase!
Foie Gras Pie
Herb and Omni
HerbAndOmni.com | @Herb.And.Omni
How kind of Chef Earl Reynolds at Herb & Omni to include us in the sacred space of his youth through his James Beard nominated food. The Foie Gras Pie is loaded with childhood memories of an A&W root beer float after huckleberry picking in the Hungry Horse Reservoir. The vanilla parsnip coulis, root beer gelée and huckleberry preserves on brioche merge beautifully in Chef Earl’s signature dish.
Specialty Milkshakes
Clydesdale Creamery
ClydesdaleCreamery.com | @Clydesdale_Creamery
A delicious photo-op, Clydesdale Creamery’s epic milkshakes are basically miracles in a jar (because how are they suspending gravity like that)! Depending on the flavor, these sweet treats come topped with cake, cookies, candy, smores, waffles, sprinkles, donuts, cinnamon rolls, whipped cream, and sometimes, all of the above. Keep your eye out for seasonal specials for occasions like St Patrick's Day, Valentine's Day, Halloween, or Christmas.
Beer Burros
Montana Luxe Events
MontanaLuxeEvents.com | @MontanaLuxeEvents
This is our honorable mention as it isn’t a comestible per se, but rather a creative mode of transportation for drinks. Picture this. You’re at a party, and rather than grabbing your beer out of a cooler, a miniature donkey struts up and offers you a cold one. Part entertainment, part caterer, beer burros are just about the cutest way to serve up a beverage. While donkeys are their most popular option, Montana Luxe Event has mini-highland cows that can do the job too!