Culinary
By Lisa Machac
There is something about October in Park County that makes me want to get in the car and go for a drive. The crowds have thinned out, the aspens are turning, and, suddenly, a meal feels like a very good excuse to explore. So, this month, I'm encouraging you to chase the fall foliage and make a few delicious stops along the way.
First up is The Good Food Place in Gardiner, which is open through the end of October. This 100% gluten free to-go restaurant is the creation of Daniel Kosel. The food is built around Asian Hawaiian fusion with regional flavors. Try the Huckleberry Chicken Stir Fry or Mahalo Poke, grab a seat in the picnic gazebo or take your meal into the park, and you'll quickly understand why this little spot is one of my favorite culinary discoveries in Montana.
Next, if you haven’t been in a while, it’s time to take a short trip to the Fireside Room at Sage Lodge. I love this drive in the fall, when the valley is glowing with color and Emigrant Peak is looking especially spectacular. The Fireside Room is a great place to take in the view from the lobby while enjoying a meal, with favorites like Steak Frites, Coconut Curry Gnocchi, and Grilled Pork Chop. It's the kind of place that makes a beautiful fall drive feel like an actual occasion. And, starting this week, Sage Lodge will be offering cooking classes for locals and guests for $55 per person. The hour long classes take place on select Wednesdays from October through April and are a fun way to spend a fall or winter afternoon.
Finally, I'm excited to share that I'm opening “a little social”, an intimate community event space available to rent for parties, workshops, meetings, and gatherings. I'll be using the space for my own supper clubs and wine tastings, but I'm especially hoping that burgeoning chefs and home cooks will use it to host their own food related events. I love creating opportunities for people to gather around food, and I'm excited to have another little place where that can happen.
As we head into the quieter months, I hope you'll keep exploring Park County and supporting the businesses that make this place special. Take the scenic route, try somewhere new, and invite a friend. 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.