Whitefish restaurants serve up unique menus for one-week event

Whitefish Restaurant Week, running May 12-16, will be a prime time to experience Whitefish’s culinary scene through special menu items, all while helping support local businesses and affordable housing through Explore Whitefish’s Community Support Fund.  

“It is a brilliant opportunity to savor local flavors while supporting a very important cause,” said chef Earl Reynolds of Herb & Omni. “Every bite gives back to the sustainability of our vibrant community.” 

The idea for the inaugural event – with hopes of becoming an annual tradition – stems back to a group discussion with Explore Whitefish business partners a few months ago.  

Discussion of an event similar to Taste of Whitefish of years past “grew organically, to see what we could do this year that is not too much of a lift,” said Zak Anderson, membership director at Explore Whitefish. “When you’re in the restaurant business, it’s tough to take on another project.” 

With that, this year’s restaurant week aims to lessen the burden on restaurants. Explore Whitefish is taking on organizing and marketing, leaving restaurants to do what they do best – make the menu.  

“Participating in Restaurant Week allows us to do what we love — creating great food — while giving back to the community that has supported us over the years. It’s a win-win for everyone involved,” said chef Tim Good, owner of Last Chair Kitchen & Bar. 

The event was intentionally scheduled for early May when tourism slows.  

“May is historically a challenging time for restaurants and other small businesses in town,” Anderson said.  

He said the event’s design was informed by business partners such as Glacier Restaurant Group, which has done similar models at their locations in bigger markets like Chicago.  

The event takes advantage of the existing foundation of the Community Support Fund, a voluntary 1% assessment collected at Explore Whitefish member restaurants, hotels and transportation companies. Half of the fund goes to Housing Whitefish and the other half goes towards Explore Whitefish’s tourism management initiatives. 

Daniel Sidder, Housing Whitefish executive director, said the event is a creative way to connect the community with the issue. 

“Workforce housing is essential to maintaining Whitefish’s unique character and thriving economy,” Sidder said. “Support from events like Restaurant Week helps us continue our mission of ensuring that those who work here can afford to live here.” 

Choosing to dine during restaurant week creates a ripple effect that positively affects everyone, even if an individual or business isn’t directly dependent on hospitality and visitation, Anderson said. 

“The more we can drive business when it’s quiet, the more the restaurant makes, the more the server makes, the more Housing Whitefish makes,” Anderson said.  

With 22 restaurants on board, there’s wide array of options for diners to participate, ranging from a three-course, filet mignon meal at The Boat Club, to four rounds of sushi at Wasabi, to rhubarb and strawberry spring pancakes at Swift Creek Cafe, to a special garden loaf at Fleur Bakery.  

Restaurant Week is supported by Watkins Distributing, Summit Beverage and The Whitefish Food and Wine Festival. For more information, including details about participating restaurants and menus, visit explorewhitefish.com.