In the Red: How UM Dining’s upscale restaurant ‘The Iron Griz’ poured nearly $1 million down the drain

At the restaurant owned by the University of Montana, local trout are grilled whole and beheaded tableside before being butterflied over sauteed kale and shoestring potatoes. Weekly wine tastings allow discerning diners to sample imports from places like Tuscany and South Africa, as well as bottles that pair especially well with raw oysters. Local beers and ciders flow into pint glasses through the bottom of the glass, requiring a specific type of pint glass and tap system.

Tucked away near the Lewis and Clark student housing complex and set back behind a garden on South Avenue, the Iron Griz also offers a memorable view of the University Golf Course at the base of Mount Sentinel. A few glasses of Sangiovese and the glow of the fireplace make it easy to forget that the cozy pub is indeed part of the University of Montana.

Since UM Dining took over the golf course snack bar, renovated and reopened it as the Iron Griz in 2015, the restaurant has suffered losses of more than $820,000, including capital expenses, and is on pace to break $1 million in net losses next year, financial documents obtained by the Kaimin show.

Story Matt Neuman, Design Cathryn Haberman-Fake, Photos Tate Samata

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