Stepping through the big front doors of the Lowell Inn in Stillwater is a little like stumbling into the movie Somewhere In Time. Christopher Reeves’ character travels back in time to the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island to be with a stunningly beautiful actress played by Jane Seymour. In other words, if you can’t find romance in this place, you haven’t got mail, you’ve got issues.

The amazing thing about this place is that you can waltz in at any time of day, plunk down a reasonable amount of cash, and feel like royalty. I expected to have heart failure when I saw the lunch menu. Surprise on me! Here I am, sitting under crystal chandeliers at a linen tablecloth with silver tableware, and I’m seeing 8-10 dollars for appetizers; soups or salads for 3-12 dollars; sandwiches (including a Walleye BLT) for 8-10 dollars; and entrees for 10-13 dollars. Add a few dollars more and you have the dinner menu. They also have a nice selection of reds, whites, ports & sherrys, sparkling wines, beers, and bottled water.

If you’re like most people, you don’t just come to Stillwater for one thing. You arrive, find a place to park, and begin to wander the streets, exploring the unique shops, galleries, and, of course, the riverfront. But eventually, you get tired and hungry. That’s when it’s time to head one block off Main Street to the Lowell Inn. Believe me, it’s worth walking an extra block to see. Aside from the elegant George Washington room, there’s the barrel vaulted Garden Room with the flagstone floors, spring-fed trout pond, and a view of the garden. And next to that is the Matterhorn Room that has served Swiss-style, three course fondue since the Sixties. Do you think these people know how to do fondue?