Steaks and Fine Dining

Steaks share top billing with gourmet fare at several downtown restaurants.

There’s a good view of the city from the 20th-floor Montana Sky in the Crowne Plaza Billings (27 N. 27th St., 406/252-7400, 6:30 a.m.–2 p.m. and 5–10 p.m. Mon.–Fri., 6:30–11 a.m. and 5–10 p.m. Sat.–Sun.). Steaks and seafood entrées average $24.

Jake’s (2701 1st Ave. N., 406/259-9375, 11 a.m.–2 a.m. Mon.–Fri., 4:30 p.m.–2 a.m. Sat., $18–25) combines a lively bar scene with steaks, chops, and a selection of more internationally eclectic dishes.

Billings’s dining hot spot is Walker’s American Grill (2700 1st Ave. N., 406/245-9291). The stylish bar and dining room feature a large selection of tapas plus up-to-date New West cuisine ranging from steaks and pasta to duck and seafood ($19–$28). Grilled pork loin is served with broccoli white-cheddar risotto and sun-dried tomato pesto.

The old Billings Historic District [1] on Montana Avenue is filling with excellent restaurants and beckoning bars and clubs.

The Rex Hotel (2401 Montana Ave., 406/245-7477, 11 a.m.–2 a.m. Mon.–Fri., 4 p.m.–2 a.m. Sat.–Sun., $18–30) combines excellent aged beef with Italian dishes, game, and fresh fish in a refurbished and elegant old hotel.

Q Cuisine (2503 Montana Ave., 406/245-2503, 4:30–11 p.m. Mon.–Sat.) in the refurbished Carlin Hotel, is another hip new restaurant—the bar is the city’s top martinis-and-jazz destination while the coolly retro dining room serves sophisticated cuisine, with entrées $16–24. Seared scallops with red pepper cream sauce is $20.

The city’s top choice for Mediterranean-style cooking is Enzo Bistro (1502 Rehberg, 406/651-0999, 5–9 p.m. daily). Main courses range from wood-fired pizza to rib-eye steak stuffed with shallots and blue cheese; fresh fish is a specialty, with about half the menu dedicated to fish and seafood flown in to ensure freshness. Grilled halibut with wild mushroom balsamic gastrique is $26.

Another historic building turned into a good restaurant is George Henry’s (404 N. 30th St., 406/245-4570, 11 a.m.–9 p.m. Mon.–Fri., 5:30–9 p.m. Sat., $16–24). The 1882 home, not far from downtown, is now in the business of serving tasty steaks, seafood, salads, and light meals.

Also not far from downtown is the Granary (1500 Poly Dr., 406/259-3488, 5–10 p.m. nightly, $18–33), a light and airy restaurant in an old mill with good beef, a selection of chicken dishes, and seafood. The outdoor deck here is a delightful spot in good weather.