Owners

Reed & Melissa have resided in Missoula for 40 years and 24 years respectively. Reed was born and raised in Montana, while Melissa moved to Missoula to finish her education at the University of Montana in 1995. They have raised their two children, Benjamin and Claire, in this great community. And have been local business owners since 2007, as the owners of The Keep Restaurant and The Highlands Golf Club. They hope to offer a new experience to the community with 1889; offering a more modern, yet rustic atmosphere while using fresh, local products prepared by our talented chef and his team and served to our clientele by an exceptional staff.

General Manager

Renee Somerset-Mucha was raised in Missoula by wonderfully urban parents who taught her how to drive like a Southern Californian and to enjoy food and beverage to the fullest. All family trips were about the journey and the food found along the way: from the glories of a Jack in the Box taco to the discoveries within a dim sum lunch.

Renee had her first restaurant job at fifteen as part of the opening team for The Hob Nob here in Missoula. Following time at the Uptown Diner, she spent twenty years working in and running restaurants in Seattle. The 5 Spot is where she met her husband and honed her love of food and drink and the cultures surrounding both. It was while working for Tom Douglas Restaurants that a job became a career and knowledge merged with passion. She moved back to Missoula in 2015 and is delighted to have found an amazing work family and place at 1889.

Executive Chef

Levi was born and raised in the south, Georgia to be specific, by a family that loved food and cooking. He was blessed to have two grandmothers that were amazing cooks and shared the joy of cooking with Levi as a child. They taught him that food is not only nutrition and a way to sustain life, but it is community, it is family, and it is what draws people together and allows us to connect. He moved to Missoula in 2008 after a 6-month hike of the Appalachian Trail. His love of travel allows him to explore different cuisines and learn more about the culinary world that he can then share with others. Food is a language of love, and this message can be spread through the intention you put in your food. “Always cook like you are cooking for your grandmother” is a phrase he repeats to himself over and over, allowing him to put all his love, skill, and compassion into each dish.

Sous-Chef

Micah was born and raised in Missoula, MT. Graduating from Hellgate High School in 2004 he made his way into the industry rolling burritos and slinging pizza pies. After working his way up from the dish pit to head cook in his first high-end opportunity, Micah knew he was falling in love with the culture of service, the artistry of cooking, and the challenges of kitchen management. Now, pulling from years of fast casual, fine dining, and high end catering experience he hopes to bring his creativity and passion for seasonally inspired, scratch-made cuisine to the table at 1889.

Kitchen Manager

Miguel was born and raised in California and is a proud, first generation Mexican American. He came to Missoula in 2013 to pursue a BA in singing and recently achieved his master’s degree in music in May of 2022. Miguel has been an integral member of our kitchen staff since March 2022, where he cooks and learns to consistently bring joy and celebration with each plate.

Through his love of singing, he has realized that language and food are windows which allow one to understand more about different cultures and frameworks of thinking. Throughout his experiences, Miguel understands that one thing remains true: “Food is meant to be celebrated. It has the power to bring families together, and truly allows communities to flourish.”

Assistant Manager

Brandon started out the adventure of life in the Pacific Northwest, surrounded by family who have always been there to empower his endeavors. Discovering live theatre at an early age revealed the importance of expression, and how closely that connects with serving others. After achieving a Bachelor's of Fine Arts at Central Washington University, he journeyed to New York City, where his introduction to fine dining was found at the renowned Le Bernardin. He fell in love with his wife and Montana in Virginia City, where he first began performing with The Illustrious VC Players over ten years ago. 1889 has become a place where his skills can flourish, and presents the opportunity to bring truly sincere and memorable dining experiences to the great town of Missoula. He is honored to be a part of this phenomenal team.