Michelle D.
Yelp
During my short visit to Montana, I made a list of restaurants I wanted to try, and this place has got to be on the list, given all the raves on the internet whenever I search for what to eat in Billings. They are closed on Sundays, but to my luck, I have a free Wednesday! So I dropped by for lunch.
The restaurant has a cozy, clean, and minimalist interior. The booths are separated by partitions, giving each table a sense of privacy.
The menu consists of elevated fusion food with a touch from all around. There's some Italian influence with Beef Bolognese and Risotto. There's also some Asian influence with Sticky Pork Belly Bowl and General Tso Cauliflower; Eastern European with Beef Stroganoff and Pork Schnitzel; and various American classics like Mac and Cheese, Chicken Pot Pie, Burgers, etc. They also have changing daily specials.
I went for the Steak Risotto. Perfect portion! I've been to many restaurants that consider themselves fancy with the goal of less food for a higher price. I'm so glad this place is the opposite. Generous, satisfying portions! That's what we like! The steak was laid atop mushroom, herbs, and parmesan risotto and topped with an arugula salad tossed in lemon vinaigrette and crispy fried onions. While the steak was boldly (and deliciously) seasoned, the risotto had a milder taste to balance it. Apparently, the meat was heavily marinated in tamari and Worcestershire sauce before cooking, giving it a darker color. At the same time, I'm glad they picked a meatier, leaner cut to balance out the density of the risotto. Thus, here we have comfort food that is light enough. The salad adds not only color but, more importantly, texture and acidity to the dish. The presentation may not be as fancy as everything stacked on top of each other on a plate, but it was a very hearty and comforting lunch.
Everything on the dessert menu looks good, but I have to go with the sticky toffee pudding. It's probably my favorite thing to order in a restaurant. As expected from a sticky toffee pudding, the whole plate exploded with sweetness. The cake was a smidge bit on the dry side but soaked up the sauce beautifully. A lovely way to end lunch, indeed.
The service was excellent. The staff were amicable and accommodating. If I'm back in Billings, I would love to return.