Most underrated restaurant I've eaten at in a long time. Gourmet food that is all locally sourced. Service was great. Have eaten at all Flathead lake has to offer, this is the freaking place!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Wini 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.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Megan Hicks
This is the best restaurant I have been to in the area. The food is all locally sourced. The chef and bartender make better food and drinks than I could. The service was excellent. Can’t wait to become a regular.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
nicole ingram
Just got back from one of the most amazing meals I have had in Montana! I have never had garlic scapes, and they are delicious! The mushrooms are one of the best things I ever had. The trout was had such crispy skin, I heard it crunch! Overall, simply outstanding! I look forward to many more meals here.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Thomas Blake
An Unforgettable Culinary Experience in Montana
Montana Bonfire is hands down the best restaurant I’ve ever visited in Montana. From the moment I walked in, the serene and beautiful ambiance set the stage for an extraordinary dining experience.
The food is nothing short of spectacular. The chef’s French-inspired techniques shine through in every dish, all crafted with an impressive commitment to local produce. The house-made sourdough bread is divine—perfectly crusty with a soft, tangy interior. The pickled onions and radishes add a bright, fresh contrast to the rich flavors on the menu. I was especially impressed by their dedication to whole-animal butchery, particularly the succulent rabbit dish, which was prepared with expert skill.
And let’s not forget dessert—each bite was a delight, balancing creativity and classic flavors flawlessly.
The service matched the excellence of the food. The calm, inviting atmosphere made it easy to savor every moment.
Montana Bonfire isn’t just a meal; it’s a celebration of local ingredients and masterful cooking. I can’t recommend it enough and will absolutely be returning!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Kim 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 🙌
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Jess Miller
Great find. Fresh food. Must try if you’re tired of fried food.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Sofia Schnepf
This place is a hidden GEM! The food was next level. We especially loved the mushroom small plate.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Shay LaPrath (Simply Shay)
Pretty disappointed, service was sad & food too vaguely explained on the menu. Waitress tonight Couldn’t explain what the special was, She said “it’s some French word”. 😳 then when when ordering steak and we asked the witness “don’t you want to know how it’s cooked like medium or raw?” She said “well no I don’t care how they cook it, I don’t cook it.” Kind of moronic energy for such a vaguely expensive dinner. 3 tables that showed up after us all got their drinks before we did. Food came out sporadically:. 1st person got served their dinner a solid 30 minutes before the last person at the table got their dinner. Awkward.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 2
Service: 1
Shay Rasmussen
Pretty disappointed, service was sad & food too vaguely explained on the menu.
Waitress tonight Couldn’t explain what the special was, She said “it’s some French word”. 😳 then when when ordering steak and we asked the witness “don’t you want to know how it’s cooked like medium or raw?” She said “well no I don’t care how they cook it, I don’t cook it.”
Kind of moronic energy for such a vaguely expensive dinner. 3 tables that showed up after us all got their drinks before we did. Food came out sporadically:. 1st person got served their dinner a solid 30 minutes before the last person at the table got their dinner. Awkward.
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!
Carly Farris
Love this place ....probably our favorite spot to dine in NW Montana...love that it's local, organic, and a mixture of small plates and large.... excited for it to reopen
Alex G.
The service was very slow , but the food made up for it. When you get the outdoor seating is very nice. The menu seems to change , but I had the best creme brulee here!
Most underrated restaurant I've eaten at in a long time. Gourmet food that is all locally sourced. Service was great. Have eaten at all Flathead lake has to offer, this is the freaking place!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
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.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
This is the best restaurant I have been to in the area. The food is all locally sourced. The chef and bartender make better food and drinks than I could. The service was excellent. Can’t wait to become a regular.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Just got back from one of the most amazing meals I have had in Montana! I have never had garlic scapes, and they are delicious! The mushrooms are one of the best things I ever had. The trout was had such crispy skin, I heard it crunch! Overall, simply outstanding! I look forward to many more meals here.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
An Unforgettable Culinary Experience in Montana
Montana Bonfire is hands down the best restaurant I’ve ever visited in Montana. From the moment I walked in, the serene and beautiful ambiance set the stage for an extraordinary dining experience.
The food is nothing short of spectacular. The chef’s French-inspired techniques shine through in every dish, all crafted with an impressive commitment to local produce. The house-made sourdough bread is divine—perfectly crusty with a soft, tangy interior. The pickled onions and radishes add a bright, fresh contrast to the rich flavors on the menu. I was especially impressed by their dedication to whole-animal butchery, particularly the succulent rabbit dish, which was prepared with expert skill.
And let’s not forget dessert—each bite was a delight, balancing creativity and classic flavors flawlessly.
The service matched the excellence of the food. The calm, inviting atmosphere made it easy to savor every moment.
Montana Bonfire isn’t just a meal; it’s a celebration of local ingredients and masterful cooking. I can’t recommend it enough and will absolutely be returning!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
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 🙌
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Great find. Fresh food. Must try if you’re tired of fried food.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
This place is a hidden GEM! The food was next level. We especially loved the mushroom small plate.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Pretty disappointed, service was sad & food too vaguely explained on the menu.
Waitress tonight Couldn’t explain what the special was, She said “it’s some French word”. 😳 then when when ordering steak and we asked the witness “don’t you want to know how it’s cooked like medium or raw?” She said “well no I don’t care how they cook it, I don’t cook it.”
Kind of moronic energy for such a vaguely expensive dinner. 3 tables that showed up after us all got their drinks before we did. Food came out sporadically:. 1st person got served their dinner a solid 30 minutes before the last person at the table got their dinner. Awkward.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 2
Service: 1
Pretty disappointed, service was sad & food too vaguely explained on the menu. Waitress tonight Couldn’t explain what the special was, She said “it’s some French word”. 😳 then when when ordering steak and we asked the witness “don’t you want to know how it’s cooked like medium or raw?” She said “well no I don’t care how they cook it, I don’t cook it.” Kind of moronic energy for such a vaguely expensive dinner. 3 tables that showed up after us all got their drinks before we did. Food came out sporadically:. 1st person got served their dinner a solid 30 minutes before the last person at the table got their dinner. Awkward.
Restaurantji Recommends
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!
Love this place ....probably our favorite spot to dine in NW Montana...love that it's local, organic, and a mixture of small plates and large.... excited for it to reopen
The service was very slow , but the food made up for it. When you get the outdoor seating is very nice. The menu seems to change , but I had the best creme brulee here!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Burger
Excellent food and great drinks
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
The bison is amazing.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
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