My companion and I are in the Muskoka room overlooking the breathtaking Moon River. This screened-in porch with a handful of tables is attached to a fancier, upscale dining room, but on a night like this — the conclusion to a cloudless summer day, with the sort of gentle breeze that can only be found in Muskoka — it is the best seat in the house.

Our server, Wade, is professional, patient and ever knowledgeable. If he doesn’t know the answer to one of our many questions, he promises to find out. My companion asks the identity of the herb garnishing the butter dish just to stump him, and moments later Wade reports back to us. “It’s thyme,” he says with a smile.

Our first course sets the bar high. It’s an Asian-style gazpacho with a delightful scoop of blue crab nestled in a hollowed cucumber in the centre of the shallow dish. I’m usually not a fan of cold soup, but this is enough to change my mind; thick tomato flavour combines with an Asian tang. I’m hooked. It’s a perfect match for the hot evening air.

Next, I enjoy the seared ahi tuna crusted with sesame seeds. The surprisingly large tuna sits atop a delicious blend of cooked spinach and peanut sauce. From the first bite I can’t help but make audible noise. I literally exclaim, “mmm!” and garner the attention of the table beside us. I can’t help it; the flavours are abundant and exploding. As a sushi fanatic, I am blown away. Soy, peanut, tuna, wasabi, sesame and ginger all come together in the first memorable swallow.

My companion’s appetizer was equally delicious: pucks of warm goat cheese, rolled in ground hazelnuts, on a bed of a lettuce and oven-roasted tomato halves. I can’t help but sample. The dressing, a yummy combination of avocado oil and champagne vinaigrette, is light yet noticeable.

The appetizers alone have us raving. Before long we’re talking to a couple that has just been seated, insisting they order what we’ve just finished. They do, and they’re equally pleased.

Next, on to the main event: the entrees. My companion has the Moon River steak — the restaurant’s signature dish, Wade tells us. Before long my companion is making that familiar “mmm” noise, and I don’t blame him. Topped with melted strong Quebec blue cheese, the steak is juicy and tender, smoked to perfection, undoubtedly la pièce de résistance.

I order the Atlantic salmon fillet. While it’s a common menu item in upscale restaurants like this, this dish is undeniably unique. It is not your typical flaky, light, forgettable fish. This is a serious juicy fillet, nearly two inches thick. With a compatible mustard sauce, the fish is crusted with dill and pesto. The colours and plating of the dish alone amaze me, and I almost, — almost — resist the first bite as it’s so pretty. But I’m sure happy I dig in. Simply put, it’s the best salmon I’ve ever had.

For dessert we share a chocolate pâté and a vanilla crème brûlée. The latter is a perfect combination of smooth and crunchy, and isn’t overly sweet. Instead, the vanilla shines through and leaves us scraping the dish. The pâté is a decadent end to a truly perfect meal.

As I savour the final bites, a lady at the next table gasps. I follow her gaze and am wowed myself: the sun is falling into the horizon, shooting red and orange flares across the sparkling Moon River. It’s a sunset that I will remember for years to come.

The impeccable food, a spectacular view, great company, and perfect weather. What more could a girl ask for in a night out in Muskoka?