Archive for the ‘Lodging near Glacier National Park’ Category
Thursday, September 20th, 2012
On Monday, October 1, Kathleen presents a 5 course Provence-inspired dinner at the home of Suzie Williams as part of the Festival of Flavors Chef series.
The festival is sponsored by the Flathead Valley Community College Foundation in support of scholarships and grants for deserving students. The week long event includes private chef’s tables, wine and beer tastings, and food workshops located around the Flathead Valley.
As with her successful bi-weekly Chef’s Tables held each summer, Kathleen’s dinner for 12 will feature mostly organic, local provender and be paired with a selection of wines. The dinner is $125 per person with $75 tax deductible. To make reservations, call 756-3632 or visit www.fvcc.edu/festival.html.
The Menu:
A Taste of Provence
Fromage avec de la confiture de figues
Cambozola baked with gooseberry preserves and served with meringue walnuts and Mediterranean flatbread
Lavendar Poche Salade d’artichauts
Petite French purple artichokes poached in lavender served with grilled golden beets,
heirloom tomatoes and lavender infused champagne balsamic dressing
Pour: (suggest a Roussillon)
Alouette aux Figues et Noisettes
Armagnac roasted young quail stuffed with figs and hazelnuts
Tartelette au fromage de chèvre et poire
Pear & Goat Cheese Tart
Tags: Festival of Flavors, FVCC
Posted in Best restaurants in Montana, Canadian Thanksgiving in Bigfork, catering in Bigfork, Dining in Bigfork, Flathead Lake Lodge, Glacier National Park, lodging in Bigfork, lodging in Montana, Lodging near Glacier National Park, Montana bed and breakfast, Montana Magazine, October events in Bigfork, Traveling with pets, Uncategorized | No Comments »
Tuesday, September 18th, 2012
Although the second annual Montana Dragon Boat Festival is a year away, it isn’t too early to book your lodging and Laughing Horse Lodge is the perfect place to be for your race team and dragon boats. Located just 25 minutes from the race site at Flathead Lake Lodge, the Horse offers up economical yet award-winning hospitality and dining, with the added benefit of beautiful Swan Lake – a perfect practice lake for your team. Reserve your rooms individually or reserve the entire property for your team.
Our special Dragon Team Package includes: 5 nights lodging for up to 26 ( a combination of double occupancy, bunk room and cabin); early-out gourmet breakfast each morning; Welcome BBQ Dinner for your team on the first night; boat and trailer parking; boat launch and secure docking on Swan Lake for pre-event practice; and Farewell Dinner for your team on the last night. Package price as low as $70 per person dependent upon total occupancy. For details, contact Kathleen at laughinghorselodge@gmail.com.
Tags: Art Gallery Swan Lake, Bigfork, Bigfork lodging, Dining in Bigfork, dining in Swan Lake, Dragon Boat race Montana, dragon boat races, Environmentally-friendly hotels, extreme obstacle races in MOntana, Flathead Lake Lodge, kayaking on Flathead, kayaking on Swan Lake, Labor Day Weekend Events in Bigfork, paddling on Flathead, Spartan race, Spartan Race Montana, vegetarian dining in Bigfork
Posted in Best restaurants in Montana, Canadian Thanksgiving in Bigfork, catering in Bigfork, Dining in Bigfork, Draft Beers, dragon boat races Montana, Flathead Lake Lodge, lodging in Bigfork, lodging in Glacier, lodging in Montana, Lodging near Glacier National Park, October events in Bigfork, Spartan race Montana, Traveling with pets, Uncategorized, vegetarian dining in Montana | No Comments »
Tuesday, September 18th, 2012
The Kalispell Chamber of Commerce, fresh off the incredible success of the recent Dragon Boat Races, is bringing the Spartan Race to Flathead Lake Lodge on May 11 & 12, 2013. This outrageous (and very muddy) challenge of physical and mental prowess will pit some incredible examples of human engineering against the likes of …well…the likes of you and me. The two day event looks to be a fun way to spend a couple of days watching fit (and not so fit) but definitely crazy folks pit themselves against a 4 mile obstacle course (including a very large hill) while carrying packs of rocks…just kidding, well only slightly.
For those racers visiting from out of the area, the Horse is offering up a Thursday – Saturday package of a three night stay with early-out gourmet breakfast each morning; a three course dinner with beer or wine upon arrival on Thursday evening; and a fun practice run on Friday up a local mountain (the Horse will provide packs and rocks if requested!). Races begin bright and early on Saturday and Sunday at Flathead Lake Lodge located only 25 minutes from the Horse.
Package 1: Single occupancy in a queen room, three nights, three breakfasts, and welcome dinner – $155. Package 2: Double occupancy in a queen room, six breakfasts, and two welcome dinners- $209. Package 3: Four singles in the Bunk Room, 12 breakfasts, four welcome dinners- $660 (or $55/person per day).
The Horse is located in the village of Swan Lake, eighteen miles south of the host town of Bigfork. Extreme racers are invited to unwind and relax before and after the races while enjoying the award-winning hospitality (and hot showers!) of the Horse. To reserve your package, write to Kathleen at laughinghorselodge@gmail.com.
Tags: Dragon Boat races in Montana, Flathead Lake Lodge, Spartan Races in Montana
Posted in Dining in Bigfork, dragon boat races Montana, Fishing in Swan Lake, Flathead Lake Lodge, Glacier National Park, Going to the Sun Road, lodging in Bigfork, lodging in Montana, Lodging near Glacier National Park, Montana, Montana bed and breakfast, Traveling with pets, Uncategorized, Vacation packages in Montana | No Comments »
Wednesday, September 8th, 2010
It’s fall…arriving a bit early this year, but this is Montana and the weather is fickle as a teenager’s heart. But with the cooling weather comes one of the best times of the year in the Rockies…crisp days, clear nights, the aroma of wood fires floating on the evening air, and, most important, fat and sassy trout!
One such trout – a particularly rotund specimen of approximately 20 inches – has forced me to alter my dining room schedule for the fall allowing me one more evening to try to land ‘her holiness’. There are many great reasons to live in Montana, fall trout fishing is one of the best…and spending a stolen evening on the river with a 5 wt in my hand beats standing over a hot stove, even if I’m cooking up some special fare for great friends and visitors. So please forgive me, but I’ve changed my dining room hours to Thursday – Sunday, 5pm – 9pm for dinner and Sunday Brunch, 9am – 2pm…on the flip side, I have extended my season through the holidays.
The lodge dining room is available Monday – Wednesday for private dinners and events for 12 to 56 persons. So if you are planning a holiday party, special family get-together or just a night with good friends, include the Horse in your plans. We’d love to host your event here or help you give a stellar performance in your home.
So here’s to a great fall, brilliant fishing and a delicious dinner at the Horse..see you soon. Kathleen
Tags: Bigfork, catering in Bigfork, Dining in Bigfork, dining in Swan Lake, eating in Bigfork, Fishing in Swan Lake, Huckleberry Peach Pie
Posted in catering in Bigfork, Dining in Bigfork, Fishing in Swan Lake, Glacier National Park, lodging in Montana, Lodging near Glacier National Park, Montana bed and breakfast, Traveling with pets, Uncategorized, vegetarian dining in Montana | No Comments »
Thursday, July 8th, 2010
Join us Tuesday, July 13th, 6:30pm for our Chef’s Eastern Mediterranean Tasting and Wine Dinner. Last month’s event sold out and everyone had a brilliant time with some fab food and unique wine discoveries. This month we’re featuring the cuisine of Turkey, Cyprus and the Eastern Med. Check out the menu and the wine pours and give us a call. Limited seating!
Our Menu
Borek with Ezme – Delicate phyllo rolls filled with organic spinach and Feta floating in a chunky roasted tomato and bell pepper sauce. The Pour: Lachini Rose of Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley, Oregon
Salad of Watermelon, Chevre, and Organic Blueberries in Kafir Lime and Mint Vinaigrette. The Pour: Domaine de La Greffiere Macon Charnay, France
Roasted Baby Eggplant with Lebni – Organic eggplant stuffed with charred vegetable salad drizzled with a yogurt, garlic and walnut sauce. The Pour: St. Innocent “Zenith” Pinot Noir, Mark Vlossak, Willamette Valley, Oregon
Veal Manti – tender veal dumplings in roasted garlic and butter sauce. The Pour: Domaine DuSeigneur Lirac “Antares”, France
Char grilled Minted Lamb Kebab with Cypriot Rice Pilaf. The Pour: Carlisle “Pelkan Ranch” Syrah, Mike Officer, Sonoma, California
Traditional Baklava and Almonde Chocolate Pistache with Chilled Honey Pistachio Soup. The Pour: Turkish Coffee
$109 per couple, Limited Seating, Secured Reservations Call Kathleen 406-886-2080 x 3 Laughing Horse Lodge, MM 71.5 Hwy 83, Swan Lake
Tags: Bigfork Playhouse, catering in Bigfork, Dining in Bigfork, dining in Swan Lake, Dining near Bigfork, Food Play by Gael Greene, Montana lodging, vegetarian dining in Bigfork
Posted in catering in Bigfork, Dining in Bigfork, Glacier National Park, Live music in Bigfork Montana, lodging in Bigfork, Lodging near Glacier National Park, Montana bed and breakfast, Swan Lake Huckleberry Festival, Uncategorized, vegetarian dining in Montana | 1 Comment »
Tuesday, June 15th, 2010
The Garden is open for your sipping pleasure!
And what a garden it is this year…so leave your daily stress at the door
and enjoy a delicious glass of wine and an al fresco meal while you bask in
the golden silence of a lovely Swan Lake evening.
To celebrate the arrival (finally!) of summer, this weekend we’re presenting a refreshing Mediterranean Antipasti Plate for two
with two glasses of
Gain Bay Cabernet (a Stag’s Leap appellation) for $25. You’ll enjoy freshly char grilled and marinated
vegetables bursting with the flavors of
Sardinia, an assortment of
Greek olives, hard Italian meats, and yeasty French artisan
bread with rosemary olive oil perfect for dipping.
Reservations: 406-886-2080
Tags: Bigfork, Bigfork Playhouse, Dining in Bigfork, dining in Swan Lake, Food Play by Gael Greene, Montana, Montana wedding at Brumar Estates, Swan Valley, vegetarian dining in Bigfork
Posted in Bigfork Summer Playhouse, catering in Bigfork, Dining in Bigfork, Glacier National Park, lodging in Bigfork, lodging in Glacier, Lodging near Glacier National Park, Montana bed and breakfast, Traveling with pets, Uncategorized, vegetarian dining in Montana | No Comments »
Thursday, October 15th, 2009
As the snow begins to sugar the mountain tops here in Swan Lake, I begin the task of closing the Horse for the long winter. First the gardens, so lush and beautiful this year, are cut back and a few tears fall as the last of those glorious hollyhocks are stuffed into the mulch bag – their seed pods carefully saved for gorilla gardening around the neighborhood. Those monstrous hanging baskets of sunrise pink petunias are delivered back to the nursery and the drip systems are drained. The herb garden – so prolific this summer – gives up the last sprigs of lovage, savory and tarragon to flavor the fall stew bubbling on the back burner.
The highway is quiet, the lake even more so. No jet skis, boats or swimmers – just flocks of migrants heading south stopping in for a quick bite and respite. This is my favorite time of year – full of gold light and the smell of winter on the air. The few visitors coming through the door are a hardy breed seeking stillness and ready for any weather Nature may send their way.
It has been an amazing season thanks to the many returning guests who over the years have become good friends. And so many new faces that portend an even rosier future for the Horse. It has been 10 years since the doors opened and what a wonderful ride it has been…fascinating visitors and guests, exciting stories of traveling adventures, quiet moments on sunset contemplations and the absolutely wonderful gratification of knowing that my staff and I have contributed in some small way to making special memories for you and your families.
Although the lodge will be closed November 1 thru April 30, we won’t be idle…upgrades and improvements will take place over the winter to make your 2010 stay even more comfortable. On behalf of Nikki, Cooper, Sampson and Juliet – thank you – for the hikes, the cookies and the new vocabulary (Sampson has incorporated a distinct New Jersey accent and now knows the main theme to Encounters of the Third Kind!)
For all our new and old friends – have a safe and exceptional winter. We’ll be looking forward to welcoming you back to the Horse next year. Kathleen
Tags: Bigfork lodging, catering in Bigfork, Dining in Bigfork, dining in Swan Lake, Dining near Bigfork, Environmentally-friendly hotels, Green lodging in Montana, Montana Highway 83, Montana lodging, Traveling with pets, Vacationing with your dog
Posted in catering in Bigfork, Dining in Bigfork, Glacier National Park, Going to the Sun Road, lodging in Bigfork, lodging in Glacier, lodging in Montana, Lodging near Glacier National Park, Montana bed and breakfast, Montana weddings, Traveling with pets, Uncategorized, vegetarian dining in Montana | 3 Comments »
Thursday, July 2nd, 2009
Now in her tenth year as owner, chief cook and bottle washer, Kathleen continues to bring in the rave reviews for Laughing Horse Lodge from locals and visitors who have discovered this Swan Lake dining ‘secret’.
This season, Kathleen heats up her menu with nightly specials from the ‘over the top’ Asian flavor sensation of Saffron Soba Noodle Cake to the Norman Rockwell down home comfort of savory meatloaf floating in a sea of Crimini Mushroom Prime Rib gravy.
The Horse offers a laid-back, old Montana dining experience where the value is on the plate – mostly organic, always fresh and totally delicious ingredients prepared with care, presented with joy and affordably priced.
So if you are a foodie looking for the best the Flathead has to offer, take a short drive to Swan Lake and see what Kathleen is cooking up for the evening… “hmmm…all natural Tuscan-style Black Angus Prime Rib, or a large steaming bowl of clams swimming in a broth reminiscent of late summer nights in Capri?”
The dining room is open 5pm Wednesday – Sunday for dinner with a public brunch offered Saturday and Sunday 8am – 2pm. The kitchen is closed Monday and Tuesday night so that Kathleen may bring her creative skills to the private homes of the Bigfork/Swan Lake area for parties from 12 to 100.
Reservations definitely suggested…406-886-2080.
Natural Porterhouse Pork Chop on a Green Chili Frittata
Tags: Add new tag, Bigfork bars, Bigfork lodging, Dining in Bigfork, dining in Swan Lake, Environmentally-friendly hotels, Food Play by Gael Greene, Huckleberry Peach Pie, Montana wedding at Brumar Estates, wedding caterers
Posted in Dining in Bigfork, July 4th events in Bigfork, July 4th events in Montana, lodging in Bigfork, lodging in Glacier, lodging in Montana, Lodging near Glacier National Park, Montana bed and breakfast | No Comments »
Wednesday, June 17th, 2009
“Whiskers on kittens and warm woolen mittens…” yes, those are two of my favorite things, but in the spring my thoughts and my kitchen turn to two other favorites…black truffles and fresh asparagus. This week (June 17th – 21st) Laughing Horse Lodge is pleased to present a deceptively simple yet flavorful dish featuring both.
Slivers of black truffle are folded into a lovely blend of three Italian cheeses and spooned into petite pasta sachets which are tossed with julienned asparagus and a simple garlic-infused brown butter sauce. Of course the dish wouldn’t be complete without a splash of fresh herbs from the Horse’s garden.
Pair this dish with a cool Lodge salad of organic greens and a bright Hacienda Molleda Garnacha from Zaragoza and you have a perfect meal for a warm Swan Lake evening.
For dinner reservations, call 406-886-2080
Tags: Add new tag, dining in Swan Lake
Posted in Dining in Bigfork, Lodging near Glacier National Park, Montana, Montana bed and breakfast | No Comments »
Thursday, May 28th, 2009
Over the past several years Laughing Horse Lodge has attempted to become more environmentally aware in its business practices. Each year, more organic produce, grains and dairy, as well as natural meats and line caught wild fish are placed on the menu. Cleaning products have gotten gentler: guests are choosing to keep their linens longer; and now, the one area that is always a challenge for inn owners – guest amenities – has gotten a renewal and upgrade.
Thanks to the efforts of GREENWICH BAY Soap Company, a family owned and operated business that has been manufacturing fine toiletries since 1962, the Horse has been able to remove plastic shampoo bottles from the rooms and reduce bar soap waste.
Greenwich Bay’s Shampoo & Body Bar uses only the finest natural ingredients and is sulfate and paraben free. Using essential oils and very little filler water, the recycled paper wrapped bars require less energy to produce and fulfill two services in one for overnight guests. A small notice in the rooms lets guests know the benefits of the bar and how they are helping to reduce waste and potential chemicals in the water table.
We’ve still got some areas for improvement, says owner Kathleen, but we’ll keep searching for new ways to reduce, minimize and conserve while still giving our guests an exceptional Montana experience.
Tags: Environmentally-friendly hotels, Green lodging in Montana
Posted in Lodging near Glacier National Park, Montana, Montana bed and breakfast | No Comments »
