Erica Neils
This is possibly my new favorite restaurant in the Flathead Valley. Farm to table, nose to tail, seasonal food, prepared beautifully with excellent flavor. Be advised this is a place for a dining experience. If you are someone who likes to be in and out in an hour this is not for you. Plan to spend 2 hours or more leisurely enjoying the ambiance and tasty cocktails and food. My first time I had the pork Milanese which was phenomenal and a tasty s’mores desert. Today we went for their Dim Sum Brunch which carries on the tradition of the old owners. I believe this was their first attempt at it, and I hope they continue. I got distracted and forgot to take pictures of the third course or the mooncake before I bit into it. My uncle is celiac and both visits they have been very accommodating and gave separate allergy menus that list common allergens.
… moreSarah Terman
Walking through the door I was gobsmacked by the whimsy and charm of the dinning room. The food was even better, locally sourced, and a true work of art. We got the whitefish, the mushrooms, and the apple pie. Prices are ridiculously reasonable. The ginger cocktail was refreshing and delicious. Our server was amazing and knowledgeable. Stop reading this and please go check it out yourself!
… moreKim Greene
Here we go! We loved our meal. Their sourdough bread is better than Fleur in Whitefish (wish they sold it by the loaf ). Onto our spectacular dinner! Lentil salad topped with a bison steak! O M G….perfect seasoning, honestly some of which I can’t describe-/but all DELICIOUS! Would’ve loved to meet chef, a table visit -/ as they weren’t busy when we arrived ….reviews on Yelp are old and not reflective of new owners…server, McCall was awesome and Alex, bartender was great! Did I mention we had tap beer and tap lines were def clean??? Super refreshing and just a matter of time before you can’t get a reservation! Bravo
… moreMary Cloud Vander Ark
If you love food, don’t sleep on Bonfire. Montana foodies, you’ve been dreaming of this place. Get the Bonfire to start; trust me, you’ll love this mixologist. And the FOOD! Gourmet eats at a reasonable price. This is what we’ve been missing. Thank you, Ashley! You were the bomb.
… moreMaggie Chrobak
The best food in Montana! The chef Derik made the best food, and drinks ever. The service was spectacular. All the food is farm to table and locally sourced. 10000/100 would recommend. The bison, white fish, chicken, beef, asparagus everything was the best. Not one thing on the menu I didn’t hate. ( bought one of each thing on the menu) Shoutout to the staff they did amazing and made sure we weren’t missing one thing!
… moreWini Schlatter
Restaurant Review: Montana Bonfire in Woods Bay – A Fiery Love Letter to Montana Flavor
Let’s talk about Bonfire in Woods Bay, just south of Bigfork, Montana—a rustic-chic culinary hideaway where the Flathead Lake breeze meets fierce kitchen creativity. At the heart of this delicious operation is Chef Derrick Wcislak, a culinary wizard who treats each plate like a love poem to the land, water, and farmers of Montana.
Let’s just say it upfront: This man’s vegetables are having more fun than most people on vacation.
Start with the crispy mushrooms—oh, the mushrooms! Drenched in a whiskey and onion glaze that’s probably illegal in some states (because it’s that addictive), with just-charred green onions and bursts of sweet peas playing backup singers in this symphony of umami. I would fight a bear for another plate.
Then came the Roasted Garlic Scapes—which, if you’ve never had them, are what garlic dreams of becoming when it grows up. Add a rich pancetta vinaigrette, a perfectly jammy soft-boiled egg, and the salty crunch of brown butter breadcrumbs, and suddenly you’re contemplating how to quit your job and become a full-time scape enthusiast.
And just when we thought things couldn’t get more delightfully Montana, Chef Derrick drops the mic with a whole fried Whitefish, caught locally, cooked whole, skin gloriously crispy, meat flaking off like it’s showing off. He crowns it with roasted shallots, preserved turnip greens, almonds, and a scattering of fresh chives, and suddenly—you’re not just eating dinner, you’re being blessed by the lake itself.
Chef Derrick’s style is one part wizard, one part woodsman, and all heart. He honors the local ingredients while sending them to culinary grad school—his food is wild, warm, and just a little bit wicked in the best way.
So here’s to Bonfire—come hungry, leave enchanted, and maybe write your own ode to a mushroom. You won’t be the first.
… moreVictoria Palmiter
Stopped in because it was close to where we’re staying. Did not have reservation but they able to seat us anyway. The menu was eclectic but doable for my picky husband. Our bartender was friendly and made us a couple of fabulous drinks. I ordered the mushrooms and lamb meatballs. They were fabulous. My husband had the bison steak. Sooo good! Oh and the dessert we had was sinful. I don’t recall the name exactly but I believe it was a moderation on a s’more with huckleberries. Yummy
… moreAlessandra Freitas
I was here yesterday and my husband and I really loved the food. I gave 4 stars because the service wasn’t that good and we decide to drive back to the area just to try another dish. Definitely, this was the best choice! Great service, atmosphere and the best food! This was the best cheesecake ever! Today I can give 10 stars for everything! I hope i can come back in the future!
… moreAshley Albright
I was honestly really impressed with this place. The atmosphere is really neat – there’s a bar or you can sit at the community tables. The entrees had huge portions. The first night I had the brisket and my husband had the fried Korean chicken. Both very delicious but we couldn’t finish either of our meals. The next night we ordered the Carbonara and two sides (mashed potatoes- best I have had and brussel sprouts). It was perfect amount of food for two people! The Carbonara was absolutely amazing! I highly recommend. I also had the huckleberry 75, which was also yummy. The service the second night was great compared to the first (for some reason, we had two waitresses). Loved this place!
… moreWilliam Vanek
Culinary delight in Woods Bay, Montana. We started with the mushrooms which were delightful. Wife had the bison cooked perfectly. I had the lamb, and was a treat. Great service by local folks. Farm to table is a difficult concept to compete locally and these guys do it to perfection. If you’re a foodie I strongly recommend this establishment!
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