You don't have time to go away for the whole weekend, but you'd like to spend the day doing something fun, adventurous and romantic with your honey. What's a person to do?

Step One: Phone Killarney Lodge in Algonquin Park and make a 6 PM dinner reservation.

Step Two: Buy a nice bottle of vino and save it for supper.

Step Three: Spend your day getting there. There are beaches close by that you can visit and great hiking to be had in the area. You can also check out the logging museum. By the time you arrive for your supper, you will have built up your appetite from your day outdoors.

Step Four: Change into something clean. The dress code at Killarney Lodge is Smart Casual. (No cut off jeans, bathing suits, scruffy t-shirts etc).

Owners Eric and Poppy have been receiving guests at their lodge for over 20 years. The dining lodge was built in 1935. The beautiful beamed ceiling, fresh cut flowers, flickering oil lamps and birch bark menus will put you in the mood for a romantic meal.

The menu changes nightly in this warm and relaxing atmosphere with attentive service. The Lodge features Canadian cuisine and the set menu costs $47.95 per person (including tax and gratuity). This includes an appetizer (juice, soup or salad), a choice of four entrées, hot homemade rolls and dessert.

The night we went, we started our meal with the Caesar Salad which had a good garlicky kick. We then enjoyed the Charbroiled New York Sirloin topped with sautéed mushrooms and red wine butter compound. The nice sized steak was juicy and tender and served alongside a baked potato with sour cream, cubed squash, steamed broccoli and a baked crab apple. We also enjoyed the moist and delicious Slow Roasted Half Chicken with herb stuffing, gravy and baked potato.

Killarney Lodge tries to accommodate all dietary restrictions, and there are always vegetarian choices as well for the non-carnivorous.

Although the dining cabin does not have a liquor license, you can bring your own bottle of wine and uncork it yourself. (Remember Step Two?) A corkscrew and glasses will be provided for you.

Killarney Lodge is famous for its scrumptious homemade desserts. Each night of the week features one or two specialties and word has it that customers will time their trips around the dessert menu.

There's talk about the famous carrot cake, brownies, strawberry rhubarb pie and butter tarts. We were lucky to sample the famous homemade pecan pie. The flaky crust, crunchy pecans and creamy centre were all enhanced by a scoop of French vanilla ice cream.

After you've finished the last crumb of pie and washed it down with some good coffee, pack up your sweetie in the car and drive off together into the sunset. Now doesn't that sound fun, adventurous and romantic?

Killarney Lodge
Lake of Two Rivers
32 km inside the West Gate of Algonquin Park off Highway 60
May to October Phone: 705.633.5551
Winter Phone: 416.482.5254
Web site: www.KillarneyLodge.com