RED BIRD RESTAURANT

Intimate Evening Dining

It's not easy to find the Red Bird, which is tucked away in the back of the Florence Hotel, but you'll be glad you made the effort. This intimate restaurant is one of Missoula's best. The menu changes seasonally but it's always innovative, with an emphasis on fresh ingredients, local and organic whenever possible. Meals begin with fresh bread and a wonderful smoked eggplant spread. Don't miss the Red Bird's delicious and rich roasted red pepper soup. Pasta dishes—including homemade raviolis and lemon-chicken penne—are excellent, but then again, so are the meat and fish entrees, all of which are artfully presented. Dessert is a must-have but a tough choice: tiramisu or crème brulee?