Ferdinand's Restaurante, Livingston, Mont.
On January 7, Lauren Silano, owner of Neptune’s Taphouse and Eatery, opened Ferdinand's Restaurante. The name of the place comes from the 1936 children's book, The Story of Ferdinand by Munro Leaf, and like the bull in the story, who would rather smell flowers than fight, the restaurant is all about being yourself and spreading kindness. The decor also speaks to the bull theme, and the walls are hung with paintings of the animal done by local artist Kay Potter.
Also like the book, there's a Barcelona flare to the restaurant, and it serves an array of tapas and Spanish-inspired share plates such as paella laden with shrimp and sausage. The salads too are worth a look, with options such as the roasted beet with chèvre, crushed pistachios and honey vinaigrette. For dessert the restaurant serves hand-made ice cream in an array of rotating flavors.