Dante's Creative Cuisine — Restaurant in Great Falls

I searched online for "nice" and "upscale" restaurants in Great Falls and this was one of few businesses that popped up (let's just say there weren't many to choose from). I wanted to try one final restaurant before my next morning departure back home, so my family and I opted for Dante's on the evening of 13 Aug 2024. We made reservations out of habit because living in Las Vegas (LV), it's always highly recommended that you make reservations at certain restaurants, especially the popular ones. Needless to say, we didn't really need to make reservations because when we arrived, the restaurant wasn't busy at all (probably since it was a Tuesday evening).

We were nicely greeted by the hostess that evening and quickly escorted to our table which was situated right next to the window. This seat was especially wonderful that evening because during our meal, it started raining outside which added to the tranquil atmosphere, rustic décor, and wonderful company from my family. Although I'm more of a modern décor type of person (hence why I enjoy living in LV), I did appreciate this restaurant's architecture/design; it definitely matched the historic nature of the city.

With respect to our food and drinks, we ordered the Bear Proof Huckleberry Old Fashioned, Smith and Hook Cab, and Shirley Temple for our drinks; Bacon-Wrapped Filet Mignon, Chicken Parmigiana, and New York Steak for our entrées; and the Chocolate Volcano for our dessert. I don't recall the last time I've been to a restaurant with my family and we didn't order any appetizers, but this was one of those situations and a rare moment for us - probably due to having a robust brunch session earlier in the day. The Old Fashioned was different compared to the traditional way of preparing it, but it was a good twist on the creation of the drink utilizing what appears to be the fruit staple of Great Falls...Huckleberry. I've tried the Smith and Hook Cab before and no major complaints here; and the Shirley Temple was adequate. The Filet and Chicken Parm were satisfactory, but I cannot say the same about the New York Steak. Unfortunately for me, my steak was less than adequate - it lacked flavor and was overcooked. Could I have asked the server for another steak? Yes, but I chose not to because (1) I didn't want to stay longer since we had more things to accomplish that evening; and (2) if a restaurant that identifies themselves as "fine dining" according to Google, then I shouldn't have to ask to remake another one - it should've been correctly prepared the first time. Regardless, I had enough steaks in my lifetime, so I didn't lose sleep over it. And finally, the bread and balsamic dip that arrived in the beginning, along with the dessert were good.

The service from the entire restaurant staff was wonderful and our main server, Misty, did a great job that evening. I did notice one of the servers walking around with a giant pepper grinder and was curious if that device was supposed to have made it to our table at one point. I kept forgetting to ask our server, but didn't think anything of it since I was able to adapt and overcome the pepper barrier and utilized the pepper shaker that's on every table - no issues there.

Overall, I will say that this restaurant was just ok...hence my 3-star rating. This restaurant did not fully meet my expectations, especially since I was hoping for some top of the line and exquisite culinary experience due to how this restaurant advertises their business online (kudos to their marketing team). I'm sure this restaurant is very popular with the residents in Great Falls and its surrounding cities/towns, but for me, I've had way better restaurants in and out of the United States. However, if you're visiting Great Falls or a resident, and have never tried this restaurant, I am still recommending this place to you - I hope you have a better first-time...

I wanted to like this place. Had high expectations because the fam sang its praises.

I'm sorry guys, but 2 stars from me. I still recommend giving this place a shot, but make it a lunch date. If you're getting dinner, go with a dish hard to get wrong like a chicken parmesan.

SERVICE: Our original server checked out after delivering drinks and salads. My appetizer request, which was acknowledged, never showed up -fair enough, I wasn't charged. Our food arrived a reasonable time later delivered by another server who showed a modicum of attention. I wasn't offered any more wine -fair enough a single glass of house red for me was enough. I had to ask for more water, it never came.

Our original server checked back in just to deliver the check, this taking place after we sat in silence for about 10 minutes. The restaurant was very sparsely inhabited, they were operating at 20% capacity by the time we got our check. At peak, maybe 65%, far from slammed.

After about 10 more minutes, my wife just got up and found our server to hand her the credit card. The check was returned for signature with a quick "thank you" which was spoken with intent to move along. Message received, no further exchange needed I reckon.

In case you're wondering, I still tipped, never don't tip, this is an expensive country and these folks bust their asses. Serving Americans is a very tough job and our gal started strong but we were quickly forgotten about.

FOOD: Another miss for me. It's not bad, it's just not "fine dining" good. Certainly not $31 a plate good. I was never asked "how's your food" and I'm pretty sure it's because they didn't want any send backs. For just north of $30 I got a dry overcooked chicken breast cut well and tossed with linguine and such a sparing amount of alfredo I had to ask for more. The pasta was cooked to my satisfaction, they got that right. With additional sauce, this was $13 Applebee's quality. Bread was good, there's olive oil and balsamic at your disposal. They brought out a delicious garlic oil which made the bread the best part of the meal. Salad was good, I'd rather have just had that and bread. Seafood alfredo, taste wasn't too bad, the shrimp was overcooked boys! Dessert, pfft come on, you know it was good. Delicious chocolate volcano something-or-other.

Wine -get the Pino Noir, just say house I don't remember the make. If you're not a red lover, well you're on your own. White wine is for kids.

I'm coming back. It's a tough industry and maybe it was just a bad day.

If you made it this far you're possible with management / ownership: Take a look at your walls. The parapet next to me had a raised smudge of something that looked to have been there a while, like a kid wiped sauce off a finger. The glass edge over the table cloth gives crumbs a place to hide out. Make the glass flush with the edge and that problem is solved.

These are things I'd want to know. I hope to own a restaurant some distant day. I will delete this review if politely requested. I...

This place is not for the Hard to Feed.

Gosh, I want to like Dante's. It's within walking distance of downtown, and it's in an historic building. It's not a chain. It appears to be locally owned. Those are the best things I can say about Dante's.

Oh, and last year, I had a waiter there who would do well in ANY five star restaurant.

Since then, I've eaten there twice. The first time the service was superlative, and the food was 'meh.' It got worse.

Most of us who are hard to feed don't want to make a big deal out of our dietary needs. There is absolutely NOTHING on the dinner menu that I can eat: Nothing GLUTEN FREE/VEGETARIAN. There's no notation that says that special dietary needs will be accommodated, either. At a previous meal I was assisted by the 'five-star' waiter, who served up a gluten free dish that had to be cut like a slab. I think it might have been pasta.

I know I'm hard to feed, but there should be ONE vegetarian item on the menu and one that's healthy gluten free.

Last night we were told it was "happy hour" in the bar, and that our bar appetizers would be discounted (it wasn't). The cold chips tasted like they came from Sysco; the salsa did not taste home made.

THERE ARE NO SALADS ON THE MENU. Their one salad comes with a gorgonzola dressing whose second ingredient tastes like... sugar.

I didn't even bother to order a main dish. The only gluten free dessert? Ice cream.

Our waiter was nice, but his service was spotty. Once, after waiting ten minutes for him to pass, we asked for help from another server, who appeared to be offended. The place was not busy, either: there were only three tables occupied in the dining room, and a few parties with us in the bar.

I recently had a nice meal at the Mediterranean Grill in Helena; they had little "wheat free" and "V" insignias on every menu item. This might also be the policy at Dante's :)

Some people love this place, and I feel bad that I am writing a stinky review. If you eat the standard fare--steak and pasta, and prefer your meals on the heavy side with hidden salt and sugar...it's got nice atmosphere, and one amazing waiter, if he's still there.

Maybe they'd draw a younger, more upscale crowd if they added some panache to their menu...and I'd be a little less harsh if they crossed out the words...