Yellowstone Restaurants Offer Surprising and Memorable Array of Culinary Adventures
For Immediate Release
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YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK, September 8, 2015 – Food is a fundamental part of any vacation adventure, and the restaurants in Yellowstone National Park offer an array of cuisine options that will satisfy every eater. And as Yellowstone National Park Lodges continues to enhance its menu offerings to incorporate the freshest possible ingredients, park visitors will find many options to satisfy their own personal tastes.
“Life-long vacation memories often revolve as much around food as they do other experiences,” said Lu Harlow, long-time director of food and beverage for Yellowstone National Park Lodges. “Every time I see a family enjoying ice cream cones at Old Faithful or laughing and lingering over a dinner at any restaurant in the park, I wonder if those children will remember that vacation moment.”
They might. “Food memories have a way of staying with us, sometimes after the other experiential memories have faded,” she said. “It is our hope that the food experienced by our visitors will be remembered and appreciated long after our guests have returned home.”
Keeping it local
Even with 2.2 million acres, nine lodges and 17 restaurants in Yellowstone National Park, Yellowstone National Park Lodges strives to obtain as many ingredients as possible from farmers and suppliers located close to the park, and the percentage of local or organic ingredients used is increasing as more choices become available. Each restaurant strives to offer a combination of healthy and classic food choices.
“Our philosophy is to provide the highest quality food with the softest environmental footprint,” said Harlow.
Just as lodging in Yellowstone National Park features a wide range of accommodations styles suitable for every budget, restaurants in the park run the gamut from elegant fine dining to fast-casual grab and go, so patrons can find options that suit their tastes, wallets and schedules.
The Lake Yellowstone Hotel Dining Room, for example, is creative and upscale, with distinctive dishes of fresh fish, wild game and many sustainable cuisine options. The more casual Canyon Lodge Dining Room offers an array of dining options. The slow-roasted prime rib is especially popular at dinnertime.
All restaurants offer gluten-free, vegetarian, vegan and children’s menu options.
Dinner reservations are required at some restaurants. Information including hours of operation and full menus can be found online.
Here are some of the most popular menu items in the park:
Lake Yellowstone Hotel, Lake Yellowstone Hotel Dining Room – Bison Tenderloin, a gluten-free option served with crimini mushrooms, sage and rosemary demi-glace, garlic mashed potatoes and seasonal vegetables.
Canyon Lodge, Canyon Lodge Deli – Hummus Wrap and Montana Monster Munchies.
Canyon Lodge, Canyon Lodge Dining Room – House-made Wild Game Meatloaf Sandwich, made with bison and elk meat and Salad with Grilled Chicken.
Grant Village, Grant Village Lake House – “Create Your Own” Noodle Bowl with choices of noodles, vegetables and sauces. Noodle bowls are also available in other locations in the park, and Harlow reported that they are among the most popular items this summer.
Grant Village, Grant Village Dining Room – Tumblewood Teas from Big Timber, Mont. and Montana Cream of the West 7-Grain Buttermilk Pancakes.
Old Faithful Snow Lodge, Obsidian Dining Room – Farm-raised Bison Short Ribs braised in Montana-brewed Moose Drool Ale.
Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel, Mammoth Hotel Dining Room – Smoked Wild Alaska Salmon Club Sandwich with wasabi mayonnaise and natural Applewood-smoked bacon.
Old Faithful Inn, Old Faithful Inn Dining Room – Idaho Red Trout Hash, Montana Family Ranches Meatloaf and Whole Grain Rotini with Pesto, Mushrooms and Artichokes.
Roosevelt Lodge, Roosevelt Old West Dinner Cookout – This popular adventure includes a meal of cooked-to-order beef steaks, signature Roosevelt Baked Beans and other side dishes, and Fruit Crisp for dessert.
Snacks and desserts, available everywhere. Harlow reports that anything made with huckleberry is immensely popular and recommends the House-made Ice Cream Trio with Huckleberry, Flathead Cherry and Pine Nut ice cream, Old Faithful Inn; Huckleberry Crème Brulee at the Grant Village Dining Room; Huckleberry Cheesecake Strudel at Lake Yellowstone Hotel Dining Room; Huckleberry Cobbler at Mammoth Hotel Dining Room; White Chocolate Huckleberry Cheesecake at Old Faithful Snow Lodge Dining Room and Huckleberry Apple Crisp at Roosevelt Lodge.
Reservations for lodging and dinners in the park can be made by visiting www.YelllowstoneNationalParkLodges.com or calling 1-307-344-7311 or toll free 1-866-GEYSERLAND (1-866-439-7375).