Culinary
By Lisa Machac
When I started Table Talk, I worried I'd run out of things to report. This county is such a hospitality hub that it keeps giving me plenty of material. I think it's a great time to start expanding outside of Livingston and into the rest of Park County, so this edition includes a couple of spots beyond town limits.
First up, let's talk about my favorite addition to our already thriving bar and dining scene. John Potenberg and Isabelle Davis recently opened a new wine bar where Uncorked used to be. John has been an integral part of The Gourmet Cellar for a long time now, and he's brought that same care to revitalizing the spot next door into a welcoming place to gather, with design touches that feel elevated and cozy at once. Caviste offers a substantial yet welcoming wine list, regional beers, and non-alcoholic beverages. The food menu is full of delicious pairings meant to be shared and savored.
I'm also excited about another recent discovery that I learned about in Edible Bozeman. After reading their recent feature on Crazy's in Clyde Park, I had a great chat with owner Matt Chambers. Crazy's operates as an “artist-run cafe” during the day, and Matt books visiting chefs for supper club dinners that often include extra programming like artwork displays and book readings. Check out the article in Edible Bozeman, and mark your calendars for Crazy's upcoming events.
Finally, I want to highlight Cooke City Coffee. If you've been to Cooke City lately, you might already know about this spot, but it's new to me. I stopped in on a recent trip with my mom, who shares my love of reading, and we were delighted to find that this small coffee shop doubles as a bookstore featuring regional authors and other writing focused on our beautiful state. The coffee was delicious, the bagels hit the spot, and the staff was super friendly. My favorite part was browsing the books while waiting for my breakfast. If you’re headed to Cooke City before the weather turns, stop in for coffee and a few good reads to keep you company during the cold months ahead.
I hope you'll all start venturing out now that tourist season has wrapped up. Restaurants enjoy a boom in the summer, and the shoulder seasons and winter can be a rough transition to a slower pace. When you're deciding whether to cook at home or head to your local restaurant, I encourage you to choose the restaurant. It makes a real difference and helps keep everyone going through the year. As always, if you have restaurant tips, restaurant news, or you'd like to be featured in Table Talk, send me an email at hello@smallplatehospitality.com. In the meantime, please support our local businesses and leave a generous tip for your servers.