MISSOULA AND WESTERN MONTANA - Montana and Wyoming - page 252

Loft (217 Main St., 406/375-8624, 8am-3pm daily) serves breakfast all day in a big way.
The menu offers fresh, hearty dishes—from crepes and wraps to scrambles and breakfast
sandwiches. The salads are yummy too. A unique spot for a fresh-from-the-field dinner
near Hamilton is The Farm Table Restaurant (1639 Sleeping Child Rd., 406/375-8765,
www.sleepingchildfarms.com , 5pm-9pm Tues.-Sat., 10am-2pm and 5pm-9pm Sun.). You'll
eat on the farm, indoors or out, from a constantly changing menu of fresh, creative, seasonal
cuisine. They also offer classes and special events.
In Florence, Glen's Café (157 Long Ave., 406/273-2534, 9am-3pm daily) is a wonderful
old log cabin that serves up hearty meals, homemade pies, and local art in equally delicious
amounts.
In Corvallis, The Merc Fresh Market (1000 Main St., 406/961-4830, 7am-9pm daily)
is a terrific market with fantastic prepared foods. Dine-in service and takeout are available.
For a gourmet splurge, the restaurant at Darby's Triple Creek Ranch (5551 West Fork
Rd., 406/821-4231, www.triplecreekranch.com , by reservation only, breakfast $18, lunch
$28, dinner $95, includes 4 courses and house wine, prix-fixe menu only) is open to the
public on weekdays when ranch occupancy permits and serves phenomenal contempor-
ary and internationally inspired cuisine with local products and delicacies from around the
world. Private wine dinners can be arranged and will provide an unforgettably satisfying
experience.
INFORMATION AND SERVICES
The Bitterroot Valley Chamber of Commerce (105 E. Main St., Hamilton, 9am-5pm
Mon.-Fri., extended hours in summer) is located in Hamilton.
GETTING THERE AND AROUND
The best way to visit the valley is by car. There are no major bus lines serving the area, and
the closest international airport is Missoula International Airport (MSO, 5225 U.S. 10
W., 406/728-4381, www.flymissoula.com ), which is served by Alaska/Horizon, Allegiant,
Delta, and United. Alamo, Avis, Budget, Enterprise, and Hertz have car-rental offices on
the 1st floor of the terminal.
U.S. Highway 93 runs directly through the valley and can often be congested. To get a
beautiful view of the Bitterroot Mountains and a sense of this historic part of Montana, take
scenic Highway 269 between Stevensville and Hamilton. South from Missoula, Lolo is 9
miles, Hamilton is 50 miles, and Darby is 64 miles.