Sisterhood of the traveling Julz...

We had many visitors this summer, each of which had different experiences in our new hometown. These experiences included many a good meal, of course. It gave us the chance to highlight just a few of the countless "locavore" and unique establishments during their time in Missoula. Also, it gave me an excuse to go to some of my favorite eateries!

My sister, Julie was our last visitor of the season, so I have decided to feature her trip first since it was the most recent. The first day of her stay, Jordan and I picked Julz up from the airport and didn't waste any time. We went straight to the "L" for an intense hike...well, according to Julie at least. She wasn't really acclimated to climbing MOUNTAINS yet, I guess :)

After the hike, we got her fishing license and took her FLY FISHING in the Clark Fork River. Surprisingly enough, she caught a fish!! That provided us with our first dinner of her visit.

Actually...that was a joke. She kindly let the fish go.

I figured then that our only option was to go to BIGA PIZZA.

The ANTIPASTI platter here is to die for! Homemade focaccia, prosciutto, fresh mozzerella, provolone, olives, basil, pepperoncini, pickled vegetables, parmesiana, pears, house made pepperoni, etc.

Half artichoke, kalamata olives, feta cheese, red pepper / Half prosciutto, arugula, tomato, mascarpone cheese / Wholly delicious

Next stop: TEN SPOON WINERY

This is located in the Rattlesnake district of town up in the mountains. What a gorgeous setting to enjoy a tasting! They use grapes from their on-site vineyard but also feature wines made from berries, cherries, pears, and apples from the Northwest region.

Take note of the fact that Julz decided to try out a random scooter we found in the parking lot.

Some might find value in eating the endless breadsticks they provide at Ten Spoon. However, we like to think of ourselves as a bit more innovative...

The GOOD FOOD STORE is a local, Whole Foods-ish establishment at which one can do everything from buying weekly groceries, eating lunch, grabbing a coffee with a friend, ordering fresh-squeezed juices, or taking a cooking class! There are always so many options, so we decided to "do lunch" there. (I love that term. It makes eating together sound like more of an activity or event...which I always view it as such.)

Remember the aforementioned note of Julz attempting to try out a wheeled mode of transportation while tasting local wines? Well, her first sample of local beer was not much different. She got a bottle of Big Sky Brewing Company IPA and decided to go for a spin on Jordan's longboard. Noticing any humorous parallels here?...

The sweet highlight of anyone's trip to Zootown...as far as food is concerned, of course. BIG DIPPER!! Matching dark chocolate dipped waffle cones filled with creamy goodness! I love how we bundled up just so that we could sit outside and eat our ice cream comfortably. Because, hey...there is no other seating option BUT outdoors at Big Dipper!

So...Julie felt a bit under the weather especially on the day that we took her up to Glacier National Park. It is a bit chillier up there in the mountains, so when we got back into town she was CRAVING a particular meal. Those of you who do not have the absolute pleasure of knowing my sister probably do not understand the weight of this word when it comes to Julie. "Crave". I might "crave" chocolate, but if it's not around, I'm okay with that. I move on with life.

However, when Julie "craves" something she NEEDS it! And generally, she acts upon it. Her craving that sticks out in my mind is the one she gets (not so occasionally) for Taco Bell during which she begs me to go with her to the nearest drive-thru...at 11:00 p.m.!!

This evening in Missoula, her particular craving was for Ramen noodles with Thai chili garlic sauce like we add to our hot bowls of fresh rice noodles when visiting Thailand. At least it was a cheap craving, right?! I added some rotisserie chicken to add some substance for my sick little sister, and it actually turned out to be quite satisfying! Especially along with the nacho cheese Doritos we got because she happened to be them craving as well....

BREAK ESPRESSO is probably my favorite local coffee shop in Zootown. I love the over-sized wooden tables, exposed brick walls, and open layout. I also love the over-sized slices of triple berry pie. Dare I say it as a "not-so-keen-on-pie" foodie?? Alas...this particular pie has won me over.

I can confidently say that CAFFE DOLCE is my favorite all-around restaurant in Missoula...so far... Julz and I shared this dinner one night - it is the dish that drew my loyalties to the Italian-inspired establishment. I'll give you a hint...Mary had one...until Caffe Dolce came along...

Dolce's LAMB BURGER made of local lamb from the guy who lives across the street from the restaurant (no joke!) Imagine this medley: thick, tender, melt-in-your-mouth lamb burger...crispy, local thick-cut bacon...sweet caramelized onions...a tart yet creamy addition of goat cheese...fresh arugula...chewy, grilled homemade ciabatta bread... You might want to just keeping imagining...

On her last morning in Missoula, we decided to treat Julz to breakfast at a favorite hole-in-the-wall on the Hip Strip of Higgins Avenue downtown. The HOB NOB is trendy, yet low-key and innovative in their menu without being too outlandish. It is a cozy place adorned with local art, staffed by friendly hipsters, and furnished with only about 5 small tables. So make sure you really like the people you are eating with.

We couldn't decide on sweet or savory, so Julie and I split two dishes. One was a staple at the HOB NOB...Banana bread French toast. The other was called "Migas". It was a thick flour tortilla perfectly grilled and layered with scrambled eggs, cheese, salsa, black beans, and sour cream. I decided the MIGAS are quite delectable - filling but not too heavy, good variety of flavors, and besides...it has a fun name...

We LOVED having sweet Julz around again! Just like our triple dates in the olden days. I'm so blessed to have such a special woman in my life...

forever...

as my sister....

ZOOTOWN!

So...if I am little rusty at this, just remember that it's been almost 2 years and give me the benefit of the doubt :) In retrospect, it is quite amazing to look back upon how things in my life have just fallen into place...especially these recent years. When I ponder over the fact that I am an official MONTANAN when I have been a Southern belle my entire life, it is still quite surprising! What was the sequence of events that led to this scenario, you might ask. Well, there once was a girl named Jenny...

It all started with my decision to go on a mission trip with the young adult group at church. And when I say "decision", I mean that Jason Egly decided for me that I was going and that was that. It was really the best nudge I could have been given.

Early August the group headed out on a flight to Bozeman, Montana. On our drive from Bozeman to Missoula, where we were staying for the week, we stopped in Butte to have lunch at Mark Arbol's (a college minister) house as a sort of "welcome". I was hesitant to pronounce the aforementioned city's name like "butt" during the trip. However, after having been there that one afternoon, it is a completely appropriate title...and most Montanans I have met would agree.

Despite the ghost town appearance of Butte, the Arbol family was lovely! Mark, his wife (she is from the Phillipines and we bonded over some conversation about Asia), and sons were so hospitable! They fed us a lunch of homemade fish tacos, fruit, potatoes, fresh made tortilla chips, and vinegar slaw. I thought this was odd to have Mexican-inspired dishes in cowboy Montana, (where was the buffalo steak?), but soon I would learn that the Montanan treasures the taco like no other people group I have known! More to come in later posts on that...

I knew that there was a chance Jordan would be offered a job in Missoula at a church in town, so the entire trip I was looking for "turn-offs" and "highlights" of Montana. Butte automatically put the score in the negatives with its toxic waste pond and resulting mutant insects. But think positively, Jenny. Missoula is our next stop...

Oh, Zootown! How I love thee! It was a breath of fresh air...literally after that toxic waste pond :) During the summer, this city is vibrant with art, eclectic residents, music, dreadlocks, hippies, happiness, and FOOD! One of the aspects of Missoula I fell in love with was that EVERYTHING was outdoors during the summer. Caras Park (a favorite of ours) is right downtown, and there is some festival, concert, event, etc. happening any given night of the summer here. This was "Downtown Tonight" - a music and food festival that takes place every Thursday. It is such a fun way for the community to come together and enjoy local music, sample some of the restaurants around town, and see some pretty awesome impromptu dancing.

BIG DIPPER...enough said. Anyone who knows me also is aware of my love of this local, one-of-a-kind ice creamery. I don't know if I should be proud or embarassed to say that I had ice cream from here about every week this past summer. It's a great place to meet friends, take visitors, or just enjoy a treat.

You can feel the fresh, hot waffle cone in your hand. Imagine that it is filled liberally with scoops of cardamom & huckleberry ice creams then dipped in bittersweet chocolate and mixed nuts. The chocolate hardens just enough to encase your treasure and protect it from the hot summer evening. It is 9:00 p.m. yet the big Montana sky is still colored with sunlight. And you are happy.

This is why I love Big Dipper.

Our group had the opportunity to go visit the local Ronald McDonald House and meet some of the families staying there during their hospital visits. Some fun kids were staying there, and I volunteered to bake them a treat. The director of RMH took me into the kitchen, and upon searching the pantry said to me, "Well, what can you bake with no flour, butter, or eggs?" In my head I thought "Well, not a lot", but I surprised myself by saying "Oh, I have a perfect idea!". Really, Jenny, really? Left alone in the kitchen I was forced to be innovative. Peanut butter...oats...sugar...but no chocolate! Oh no! I concocted some form of no-bake cookies that the kiddos gobbled up and my friends on the trip devoured as well. Magic, I tell you.

Jordan and I got a chance to experience one of the "Downtown Tonight" festivals at Caras Park during the trip. I enjoyed a falafel pita in the soft grass on the side of a hill. We watched kayakers practice in the river, listened to music, and people watched. Little did we know, we would spend many evenings on this hill with family visitors, friends from Tennessee, and new friends alike!

Jason Egly treated the group to a nice dinner out one of the last nights of the mission trip. When he first said that he was taking us to JAMES BAR, I was a little hesitant as to whether or not this would be appropriate for a church group. However, I am glad it was the restaurant of choice.

This was the "Aidenator" - aka: "Not messin around" burger. Start with a quality roll, add Montanan beef, thick bacon, caramelized onions, jack cheese, prosciutto, and top it all with a fried egg!! Brilliant! Good thing I got the side salad instead of fries...

...But wait. My table ordered a couple conical stands of fries not knowing quite how distorted the portions at James Bar were. We had enough garlic fries and tater tots to swim in. But we just ate them instead. Our other option would have resulted in greasy clothes...

Strangers...

Okay, okay. I know it has been almost 2 years since I have visited and contributed to my blog. As hurtful as I am sure this has been to the multitudes of followers who have been eagerly awaiting my next post, I assure you it is just as shameful to me. So here it goes...

In the last 18 months, a LOT has changed in my life! I got MARRIED (a miracle, I know!) to the most wonderful man, I moved to MONTANA (another miracle...who knew people really LIVE in this state!), Jordan and I bought a house, and we have built a new life together. We love the city of Missoula where we have ended up, and we love sharing experiences and great adventures!

Therefore, I would like to highlight our FIRST trip together to Montana as my next post. My emotions and senses on this trip were amplified because of future possibilities and my current situation at the time. You are invited along, so join me for a taste of Montana...