Uncategorized
Closer to Home at Rainbow Ranch
Published
13 years agoon
Posted By
AdminBy Abbie Digel
“It was shockingly good,” said Steve Kuntz with
a huge smile. The Food and Beverage Director at
Rainbow Ranch was describing a private dinner
held a few weeks ago in the Bacchus room, a glasspaneled
wine cellar in the basement of the main
lodge which stores the Ranch’s award-winning
wine collection. The entree was smoked black cod
in a Belguin Edive, or lettuce boat, with garlic aioli,
fresh olive oil, dijon potato gratin and finished with
truffled broccoli. The guests raved.
The cuisine at Rainbow Ranch stays true to the
lodge’s rich Montana history. Kuntz and Executive
Chef Matthew Fritz combine Western flavors with
contemporary flare, using the freshest ingredients
grown from Montana farms. For dinner, try the
grilled bison tenderloin, paired with house-made
bison kielbasa, port wine pickled red cabbage, potato
puree, and topped with a red wine demi-glace.
Guests staying for breakfast can enjoy fresh berries,
yogurt, homemade granola and strong coffee.
The chefs use contrasting flavors, and their experience
supports their adventurous cuisine.
Kuntz graduated in ‘00 from Western Culinary
Institute in Portland, Oregon, spent two years in
San Francisco working at a variety of restaurants,
spent three years as Pastry Chef at the Timbers at
Moonlight Lodge, and owns Montana Epicurean, a
full service catering company.
Fritz has been cooking for 20 years, and started in
the business as a server.
He went to culinary
school in Chicago, where
he grew up, and cooked
at different restaurants
until he landed his sous
chef job, while visiting a
friend in Big Sky, at Rainbow
in 1999. Previously,
Fritz was a sous chef at
the Yellowstone Club,
Chef de Cuisine at By Word of Mouth, chef at Lone
Mountain Ranch and also has his own private chef
business.
The RR kitchen team members are smart and
experienced, and know how to point diners in the
right direction, pairing full flavor wines with the
right food, creating a magical symmetry of taste and
talent.
“The dining experience at Rainbow Ranch was like
embarking upon an adventure with your server
as your fearless leader. It was an incredible, tasteful
journey,” said Sam Isham, a dinner guest who
devoured his Asian barbecue glazed grilled quail as
a starter, elk medallions as an entree, and finished
the evening with a Mexican chocolate soup flavored
with cinnamon and chilies, drizzled over caramel
bread budding, and topped with banana-praline ice
cream and crystallized sugar straws.
To Kuntz, the dining experience is not complete
without a bottle of vino, and he has travelled far
and wide to create the perfect, ever-changing list.
“I am excited to develop the wine cellar to include
excellent, affordable options, as well as a selection
of cellar vintages from California to France and everywhere
in between. Pairing complementary wines
with our menu is a challenge I enjoy,” he said.
The wine list is extensive – prefer Italian Brunello
but want to try something new? The staff will
recommend a Spanish version and chances are,
Kuntz has sampled a few glasses with the distributor
himself.
“Patrons can go to different restaurants and have a
cabernet with their meat, but at Rainbow, we can
take it even further and give you the option of a
California cab, an Argentinean, or something from
France. There are so many different options, it’s fun
to play with.”
Book one of the Ranch’s deluxe, cozy rooms, or
reserve the entire ranch and plan a Montana wedding.
Wedding celebrations are the Ranch’s most
popular draw, and for good reason. Guests check
in on Wednesday, and the RR staff takes care of
everything from the meet and greet, the ceremony,
reception in the barn or at the gazebo, and a farewell
brunch the day the wedding party departs.
“It’s a reserved elegance,” said GM Mollie Eckman.
“This place is pretty special. There’s a reason people
come back year after year.”
Originally built in 1919, a fire destroyed the main
lodge in 2008, but was rebuilt soon after with the
same rustic elegance. “It’s still clean, rustic Montana,”
said Kuntz.
Daily life moves slower at Rainbow Ranch. It’s a
place where guests spend time on little things; they
can enjoy breakfast and read the entire newspaper
cover-to-cover, take pleasure in a meal made from
scratch, or stroll through the grounds and listen to
the sounds wildlife, and chances are there will be a
double rainbow over the horizon.
rainbowranchbigsky.com
You may like
Upcoming Events
march, 2024
Event Type :
All
All
Arts
Education
Music
Other
Sports
Event Details
Children turning 5 on or before 9/10/2024:
more
Event Details
Children turning 5 on or before
9/10/2024: Kindergarten
enrollment for the 2024-2025 school year can be completed by following the
registration process now.
Children
born on or after September 11, 2019: 4K enrollment is now open for
families that have a 4-year-old they would like to enroll in our program for
the 2023-2024 school year. Please complete the 4K Interest Form to
express your interest. Completing this form does not guarantee enrollment into
the 4K program. Enrollment is capped at twenty 4-year-olds currently
residing within Big Sky School District boundary full time and will be
determined by birth date in calendar order of those born on or after September
11, 2018. Interest form closes on May 30th.
Enrollment now is critical for fall preparations. Thank you!
Time
February 26 (Monday) - April 21 (Sunday)
Event Details
My Barking Dog is a nightmare comedy
more
Event Details
My Barking Dog is a nightmare comedy that tells the story of Toby and Melinda, two lonely people whose lives are forever changed the night they encounter a starving coyote at their apartment building. Over time they grow to expect him, leaving ritual offerings to entice the coyote every night. Toby and Melinda forge a connection over this visitor and share curiosity and concern about his presence in the city. The coyote expands their world–until, one night, their world is shattered. Their lives are pushed suddenly into uncharted territory, sending them on a surreal odyssey that changes their city–and the world–forever.
Directed by LX Miller. Starring Max Schneider and Denise Hergett
Verge Theater is continuing their mission to provide accessible theater to our community. Tickets for My Barking Dog are Pay What You Wish with a suggested price of $35. Audience members are offered the opportunity to select the price point that is comfortable for them when purchasing tickets.
My Barking Dog runs March 15-17, 22-24, 28-30
Performances on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays begin at 7:00 p.m., with Sunday matinees offered at 3:00 p.m.
Suitable for ages 16 . No animals are harmed in the staging of this production.
Tickets are available online at www.vergetheater.com
Time
15 (Friday) 7:00 pm - 30 (Saturday) 8:30 pm
Location
Verge Theater
Event Details
Saturday, March 23rd 6:00-8:00pm We will combine the heart-opening powers of cacao with the transcendental powers of breathwork and sound. Together, these practices will give us the opportunity for a deep
more
Event Details
Saturday, March 23rd 6:00-8:00pm
Time
March 23 (Saturday) 6:00 pm - April 23 (Tuesday) 8:00 pm
Location
Santosha Wellness Center
169 Snowy Mountain Circle
Event Details
Thursday of the Lord’s Supper Mass St. Joseph Catholic Mission
Event Details
Thursday of the Lord’s Supper Mass
St. Joseph Catholic Mission
Time
(Thursday) 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm