Rising Sun takes French fare to Kalispell

It’s time to say “au revoir” to one of

Whitefish’s favorite restaurants.

Breaking the hearts of croissant- and

benedict-lovers across town, the Rising Sun Bistro on Wisconsin

Avenue has decided to move their operation south to Kalispell. The

French-style eatery’s last day here was Sept. 25, ending a six-year

run at that location.

They will re-open in October at the

former The Knead Cafe building in Kalispell on Second Avenue West.

The move is being made to give the restaurant more stability.

Jennifer Griffith along with her mother

Sally Racine Truscheit and Peggy Kirby purchased the restaurant in

October 2005. Since then they’ve had five different property

managers. The building was put up for sale recently, and since then

they’ve been on a month-to-month lease.

“The ‘for sale’ sign is bigger than our

sign,” Griffith said. “Our waiters spend more time talking to

customers about whether or not we are for sale than the menu. It

was obvious that if we wanted to stay open and build our product,

we couldn’t stay in this location.”

The owners looked around Whitefish for

a building to call home, but they couldn’t find an appropriate

place with a kitchen.

Then the Knead building fell into their

price range. The Kalispell location will give them the long-term

stability they need to plan weddings and cater events, Griffith

said, as well as continue their booming restaurant business.

They have painted the restaurant the

same blue and yellow as the Whitefish location and will keep the

same home-like atmosphere. The entire staff will move and the menu

won’t change. The new building does have a kitchen about four times

the size of the Whitefish restaurant, which will allow them to

offer even more, including crepes year-round.

Seating at the new building will double

in size to a capacity of 120 and they purchased the beer and wine

license.

Griffith says the move south is bitter

sweet.

“We’ve been here a long time, and we’ve

enjoyed it,” she said, “but it was time to make a business

decision. Our goal is to do really well in Kalispell so we can move

back to Whitefish one day.”

Until then, Bistro lovers can get their

fix through Urban Gourmet. The Bistro will package salads and other

menu items for sale at locations in Whitefish. They will also

package entire meals for 2-6 people to heat and serve, but those

will only be available in Kalispell.

The Bistro will keep the same phone

number after the move. For more information, contact 862-1236.