Ember

Reviews

• MM

  Marianne Pinkston Mueller, MD

  1 day ago
  5.0
  "I have to do a special shout out to Ann Marie tonight. Sometimes people are just extra special. So friendly and always bends over backwards. She is such a bright light. Actually everyone here at Ember makes us feel like #1. We come every Friday and have never had a bad experience. Ever. Ladonna, Brooks, Eli, and Chelsie and I know I’m leaving someone out but not intended. The food is AMAZING!!!!! We get steak every time and every time it’s cooked to blissful perfection. No turnover in staff so you understand the value of people here.
• RL

  Randy Lint

  2 days ago
  5.0
  We’ve had dinner at Ember 5 times in the last two years, and after last night’s experience, I feel ready to share some thoughts along with this 5-star review. This restaurant, along with its staff and owners, has found its groove. On a Wednesday night in August, every table was full. The place was packed, with a lot of staff moving about quickly, quietly, and efficiently. We were greeted warmly and promptly upon arrival for our reservation; a big improvement over previous visits where we were left to awkwardly stand near the door hoping and waiting for someone to acknowledge us. When we sat, a couple of things stood out. First, this restaurant is spare, low on decorations and frills. It was kind of stark and jarring on the first couple of visits, but now it makes perfect sense. The kitchen and the food are the stars of the show, rather than fancy table settings or gaudy lighting. The decor is consistent with the owner’s vision and it makes sense. Second, this place is spotless. You look straight into the open kitchen, and despite live fire and tons of cooks and servers moving about, everything is in its place and everything is sparkling clean. The cleanliness gave us confidence on an issue that is central to our family’s dining-out experience. Our daughter has a couple severe food allergies. Not intolerances, but full on epi-pen anaphylaxis followed by trips to the ER kinds of allergies. She’s been poisoned at other restaurants three times in the last couple of years, despite clearly communicating her issues to the servers and chefs. She is reluctant to eat out because cross-contamination is so pervasive, and because servers at most restaurants have no idea what the ingredients are in the dishes they are serving. Ember earns an A-plus for the way they handle real food allergies. They note them in the reservation, they discuss them upon arrival, and they are not defensive if asked to double-check on ingredients, all while doing it in a way that doesn’t make you feel embarrassed and awkward for a guest who needs special care. I’ll leave it to other foodies to talk in more depth about the nuances of the food here. In 5 visits we had a couple of misfires in the earlier days, but this most recent meal was close to perfect.Two of our party had the tasting menu. Each item was beautifully presented, delicious, and creative, without being over-the-top. Our young waiter did a good job explaining each course, and nothing was left on the plate afterward. I ordered off the main menu; seasonal app, main, side. Of the 5 visits so far, the food on this visit was as good as we have experienced at Ember. It has taken a few visits to understand and embrace Ember’s concept. The presentation is anti-pretentious. The star of the show is food cooked with live fire and made from quality ingredients, presented authentically and without too much fancy plating. All cattle, no hat. I’m all for it. We are happy to pay premium prices for a premium meal, quality service, and an excellent experience. The problem is, at least in the Bitterroot and Montana in general, it’s rare to find a business that can deliver premium food, service, and experience at any price. So, we mostly eat at home, and don’t go out often because we are usually disappointed and left feeling ripped off. My final point is directed toward my fellow Bitterroot locals. We are the people who decide whether a restaurant like Ember stays open. The summer money and the food tourists who follow Chef Brandon from social media or Top Chef I’m sure are a great boost for Ember, but they are seasonal, and Winter is Coming. We’re going to make a conscious effort to support Ember by eating there more often through the slower winter months. This restaurant is an asset to the community and one we’d like to see survive and thrive. If we’re going to complain that there are not enough places to eat locally, then those of us who can afford to have to step up, put our money where our mouth is, and help ensure restaurants like this one stick around for years to come.
• AS

  Aurelia Schoening

  3 days ago
  5.0
  ONE OF THE TOP 3 BEST RESTAURANTS IN THE STATE OF MONTANA. Like wow! Amazing service, food, & atmosphere! The blue cheese filet mignon was to DIE for and I’m not usually too much of a blue cheese fan. The medium rare filet was cooked to perfection, which is hard to find. The truffle fries were beyond incredible too. Great wine selection. I live over 2+ hours away but I will be definitely be making the trip back for special occasions. This is California/NY quality restaurant which is impossible to find in Montana, truly out of this world. Bravo!!! 100/10 recommend!!!
• GG

  Grayshark5

  Aug 8, 2026
  3.0
  We had a 7:45pm reservation on 8/7, and when we walked in, we were promptly seated by the hostess and given water. Hostess then disappeared for the remainder of the night. Apparently she did not communicate our arrival to any servers, as we then proceeded to wait 30 minutes without anyone acknowledging our presence—no drink order, nothing. It was like we were in a black hole (perhaps turn up the ridiculous, pretentious lighting a little?) We debated whether or not to just walk out, but decided instead to (embarrassingly) flag down a server who finally got our drink order just before 8:15pm. Server was somewhat apologetic but offered nothing to make it right. (Maybe comp the bread and butter at least?) Awkward. This place seems like a listing ship with no captain in charge. Where is the manager or owner? We are from a resort town in Colorado and are used to paying similar prices for upscale meals—however this place clearly misses the mark. For a meal that averages $125+ per person you have to nail the service too. Food was good, but we certainly wouldn’t return. Wine list was disappointing with mainly big CA wines (headache in a bottle). Need more Old World, lower alcohol offerings. We had much better steak in Dillon, MT at The Den for half the price and with great, attentive service. Had we not flagged our server down last night, I think we’d probably still be sitting there. Maybe they would have noticed us when they were cleaning up? This place won’t make it unless they figure out how to run the front of the house. Disappointing last meal in Hamilton to say the least!
• PB

  Psychic Babes

  Aug 1, 2026
  5.0
  Most amazing tasty dinner I have had in a long time. There was one thing that stood out the most though and that was our waiter Brooks. I am from Texas and I have never seen a server more attentive, caring and on top of things as he was. You can tell he not only enjoys his job but he cares about the people he serves. He made the night amazing for myself and my boyfriend. Ask for Brooks, you will not be disappointed!