Bigfork eateries deliever with 'Taste'

By JACOB DORAN / Bigfork Eagle

The Taste of Bigfork delivered no small offering on Sunday, with 22 restaurants and chefs serving up some of their most popular delicacies.

It was my first experience at the Taste, and I had no idea what to expect. I had in mind a small sample of this and a tiny portion of that—just enough to whet my appetite and make me want to frequent those restaurants.

What I didn't expect was that several of the stops on my list would serve a large enough portion to make it nearly impossible for me to take in all 22 restaurants—some of them with multiple offerings—without slowing to snail's pace less than halfway through.

Besides the literal taste explosion delivered by restaurants like Flathead Lake Lodge, Swan River Inn and others, the chefs and servers were friendly and accommodating. Most of these were restaurants at which I had never eaten before, and which I can honestly say that I have every intention of returning to.

One of the highlights of my trip around town was Invite, to which I had not yet had the pleasure of being introduced. The cooks were great, and the the mini Invite Burgers and pulled pork sandwiches were to die for—just like I used to eat them back in Iowa, where I grew up. Not surprisingly, these guys served 150 burgers and 120 pulled pork sandwiches in about three hours.

When it comes to service, I can render nothing but accolades for the the staff and volunteers at Saddlehorn or chefs Lorraine Brown and Brian Lezyinski of Flathead Lake Lodge, who prepared Cascabel rubbed buffalo with roasted peppers and verde sauce over creamy polenta. These guys were having a good time, and they made sure I had a good time too.

I could easily list another dozen places, but suffice it to say that I was not disappointed with Taste Of Bigfork. It was a great time, great food, and a host of great people who helped to familiarize me with some of the towns most inviting dining establishments, to which I will definitely be returning and bringing guests.

As for the fundraiser, volunteers sold all 300 tickets and could easily have sold more. If talk around town was any indication, that will be on the agenda for next year.

At the conclusion of the event, which tapered off about an hour early, the previously bustling Electric Avenue became deserted. Only the cleanup crew and a few stragglers who were too full to go home remained. Neither supporters or volunteers could eat another bite, and that was probably good, because several of the restaurants had run out of food—a sign of another successful Taste of Bigfork.