Candlestick Inn Restaurant, Branson

When it is time to pull out all the stops and get away from the buffets and the frantic pace of the Strip, this is the place to go. Dark cherry-wood paneling divides the large dining room into romantic and private dining settings. A patio overlooks Lake Taneycomo and, at night, the lights of Branson, which shimmer in the summer heat. The chef specializes in French cuisine, but he must carry a minor degree in Creole cooking. Many of his creations offer more than a hint of Cajun seasoning. The menu is one of those "if you have to ask, you can not afford it" affairs, but the prices are well worth it for the great food, setting and service you receive. The grilled rack of lamb ($28) comes with an apple-mint chutney and is wading in cassis juice.