Congrats. A Billings Favorite Named Best New Restaurant in Montana

Opening a new restaurant can be exciting. It's also risky. According to this report by CNBC, around 60% of new restaurants fail within one year, and about 80% close their doors before celebrating their 5th anniversary. COVID made things even more difficult for the restaurant industry. Fortune reported that 110,000 restaurants closed in 2021, eliminating 2.5 million jobs in the process.

The Marble Table is defying the odds.

Jason and Jen Marble opened their downtown Billings restaurant in 2020 on historic Montana Avenue, taking over the space that was formerly Lilac. Despite the challenges of a global pandemic (and the staffing and supply chain issues we're still dealing with), the restaurant has flourished. Serving lunch and dinner, the place is always packed and reservations are highly recommended if you're coming after 5 pm.

A well-deserved accolade.

The Marble Table found out late last week that they were awarded "Best New Restaurant in Montana" by Distinctly Montana Magazine. They were up against six other finalists from around the state, including Street Burgers in Great Falls, Tavern 287 in Ennis, Ferdinand's Restaurante in Livingston, Harvest Craft Kitchen in Great Falls, I Don't Know Cafe in Butte, and Saibeens Kitchen in Great Falls.

Another Billings establishment made their "Best" list. Hats off to Miss Gigi's Sweets for nabbing the Best Bakery in Montana. You can see Distinctly Montana's entire list of nominees, winners, and finalists HERE.

Billings has always seemed like a meat-and-potatoes type of town and there's nothing wrong with that. There are certainly plenty of options in town to get a great steak, which I love. But in the last decade or so, it's been refreshing to see a number of restaurants open in the Magic City that provide something a little different than ribeyes and baked potatoes. Local chefs at Billings' premier restaurants are getting creative and really stepping up their menu. Many are incorporating fresh, local greens and proteins in their entrees. Dare I say, dining in Billings is starting to get big city-ish? That's a big thumbs up from me.