Summit House (862-1971; $) at the top of the mountain serves a variety of lunch options, including unusual choices such as a Cuban-style sandwich and a shredded beef burrito. It has a bar as well. It hosts Moonlight Dine & Ski ($$$), with creative cuisine, throughout the winter; reservations required. The high-speed Glacier Chaser quad chairs are replaced by gondola cars to whisk evening diners up the mountain.

For a special evening, and definitely the best meal on the mountain, try Cafe Kandahar (862-6098; $$–$$$; left) in the base village. Chef Andy Blanton serves modern American cuisine with classical French and traditional Louisiana influences. An extensive wine list ensures the perfect pairing for whatever catches your fancy on the menu.

The Hellroaring Saloon (862-6364; $$) retains its character as the original base lodge with its knotty-pine interior and skiing paraphernalia. Whether enjoying lunch or dinner, know that all food is homemade and tastes great. Alpinglow Restaurant (862-6966; $$) has the best view of the Flathead Valley and serves a substantial breakfast as well as homemade soups for lunch. Dinner also is available.

In the new base lodge, try Mackenzie River Pizza Co. and/or Ed & Mully's Memphis-style barbeque in the building that used to be home to Moguls. Ed and Mully's is named after two of the resort founders, Ed Schenck and Lloyd Muldown.

In town:
The bulk of restaurants are in Whitefish and offer a surprising variety.

The finest dining in the area is at the Whitefish Lake Restaurant (862-5285; $$–$$$) in an historic log building built in the 1930s by the WPA at the golf course. It's known for excellent steaks and prime rib.

Grouse Mountain Lodge (862-3000; $$–$$$) has two fabulous dining experiences. The Grill (right), dominated by a stone fireplace and mounted big game, specializes in creatively prepared entrees such as grilled venison chops with Duchesse parsnip and potato with stuffed Roma. The first thing you notice when you enter The Wine Room is the temperature-controlled glass case displaying 700 bottles of the restaurant's 4,000-bottle inventory, which has earned it the Wine Spectator "Award of Excellence" for the past five years. Skilled wait staff assists you in pairing fine wines with cuisine from The Grill's menu.

Pescado Blanco (862-3290; $-$$$$) creates an ecclectic menu that is definitely not your typical Mexican fare. It's a unique Mexico-to-Montana fusion. Everything is handmade from the fresh salsas to the hand-pressed tortillas. You can find the usual nachos, quesadills and guacamole but the unusual creeps in with dishes like elk chorizo tacos, pheasant and Bison enchiladas and orange-ancho glazed duck. Seafood and steaks are also available along with soups, salads and a surprisingly extensive wine list. New Orleans-influenced Tupelo Grille (862-6136; $$–$$$$) delights with selections such as crawfish cakes, ahi tuna, jumbo gulf shrimp and Creole chicken and dumplings. If you've never been a fan of bread pudding, go out on a limb for this specialty and be prepared to change your mind. For first-rate sushi and inventive Asian grill dishes, head to Wasabi Sushi Bar & Ginger Grill (863-9283; $–$$$). From the sushi menu, try the black widow (peppered albacore, avocado, tobiko and sriracha sauce) and the Marrakech Express (mango, red bell pepper, curry, fried shrimp and tobiko). Wasabi has an extensive sake list and the wait staff makes great suggestions.

The family-run Mambo Italiano (863-9600; $$–$$$) is just plain fun. Come here for lively wait staff, music and lots of wine to complement your meal, which is made with the freshest of ingredients. Portions are enormous, so expect leftovers to finish off another time.

McGarry's Roadhouse (862-6223; $$–$$$) has an open kitchen with a constantly changing menu of daily specials that reflect the flavors of the season. Corner House Grille (862-2323; $$$) pairs French, Pan Pacific and New American foods with an extensive wine list.

For local color, try Truby's (862-4979; $–$$) for wood-fired pizza and great steaks. Paddle & Axe Saloon (862-7550; $–$$) right across the street is a good place for steaks and pasta.

The Quickee Sandwich Shop ($–$$) offers East Coast subs and great sandwiches. For breakfast, locals and tourists sip espresso at the Montana Coffee Traders or eat in "the Buff," at the Buffalo Cafe (862-2833; $), a local gathering place. At the latter spot, try the Buffalo Pie — layers of hashbrowns, ham, cheese and poached eggs. It's open for lunch as well. Baker Street Bistro (862-6383; $), on the road out of town to the mountain, is an excellent breakfast spot with homemade bagels.

Dining Legend: $$$$–Entrees $30+; $$$–$20–$30; $$–$10–$20; $–less than $10