Restaurant in McCall, United States
McCall's clearest answer for a special dinner.
The Narrows Steakhouse at Shore Lodge is McCall's clearest choice for a special occasion dinner, with a Star Wine List White Star-recognised program of 585 selections, regionally sourced beef from Snake River Farms and Double R Ranch, and a private 16-seat wine cellar. Priced at $$ per head for dinner, it is accessible for resort dining at this quality level. Book at least a week ahead for weekends; request the cellar at time of booking.
If you're weighing dinner options in McCall, The Narrows Steakhouse at Shore Lodge is the clearest answer for a special occasion meal. It operates at a different level than the town's casual lakeside spots, with a wine program of 585 selections and 3,640 bottles in inventory, a private wine cellar dining room, and regionally sourced beef from producers like Snake River Farms and Washington's Double R Ranch. For the McCall area, there is nothing else that competes on this combination of format, setting, and wine depth. The dinner-only room seats just 46, which keeps it intimate but also means walk-in availability is limited on weekends.
The Narrows sits inside Shore Lodge, the lakefront resort that anchors McCall's upper-end hospitality offer. The dining room faces Payette Lake through floor-to-ceiling windows, and an early reservation timed to sunset is one of the more direct upgrades you can make to your evening without paying extra. The room itself mixes reclaimed wood with a modern-mountain aesthetic that reads as considered without being fussy — appropriate for a celebration dinner but not so formal that you'll feel out of place after a day outdoors.
The steakhouse format here is traditional in structure but locally grounded in sourcing. Beef anchors the menu, running from a seven-ounce tenderloin to a 32-ounce rib-eye tomahawk, with customisation options that go further than most: choose your steak knife from a Laguiole (France), a Shun (Japan), or a Porsche-designed Chroma (Germany) before your cut arrives. Sauces include a Washington cabernet reduction and a creamy mushroom and black pepper gravy; flavored butters run to blue cheese and sage, and chipotle-agave. These are not afterthoughts — they are part of how the kitchen builds the meal around a single centrepiece protein.
Beyond beef, the menu draws on Idaho and Pacific Northwest sourcing. Lava Lake lamb, Pacific cold-water oysters, and a cognac-infused lobster bisque all appear, alongside a seafood plateau option with chilled colossal shrimp, king crab legs, and lobster tail. Teriyaki-glazed sea bass and handmade gnocchi give non-steak diners a credible alternative. The wine side is managed by Wine Director Cory Strobaugh; the Star Wine List White Star recognition confirms this is a program worth engaging with rather than defaulting to by-the-glass.
First visit: book the main dining room for dinner, arrive in time for sunset, and work through the beef program with a bottle from the California or Washington sections of the wine list, where the list is deepest. This is the core experience and the right way to calibrate everything else.
Second visit: request the private wine cellar. At 16 seats with reclaimed wood walls and glass-fronted storage for 2,000 bottles, it functions as a private dining room and is worth the extra step of asking. This is the format for an anniversary, a proposal, or a dinner for a small group where the setting needs to match the occasion.
Third visit or ongoing: check for a winemaker dinner. The Narrows has hosted producers including Napa's Trefethen Family Vineyards and Washington's J. Bookwalter Wines. These multi-course, paired events are the deepest engagement with the wine program and the kitchen simultaneously, and they book separately from standard reservations.
Booking is generally direct for this market , McCall is a resort town, not a major dining city, and The Narrows does not require the advance planning of a destination restaurant in a metropolitan area. That said, the 46-seat main room fills on weekends and holidays, and the 16-seat wine cellar requires a specific request. Book at least a week ahead for a weekend dinner; two weeks for holidays or peak summer dates. There is no booking information published online for this venue, so contact Shore Lodge directly. Chef Marcus Stewart leads the kitchen; General Manager Tom Garcia oversees operations.
| Venue | Price Tier | Seats | Booking Difficulty | Wine Program |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Narrows Steakhouse (McCall) | $$ | 46 (plus 16-seat cellar) | Easy–Moderate | White Star, 585 selections |
| Peter Luger Steak House (NYC) | $$$$ | Large | Moderate | Limited, cash-focused |
| CUT Singapore | $$$$ | Hotel dining room | Easy–Moderate | Extensive hotel list |
See the comparison section below for context against other destination dining options.
The Narrows is a dinner-only steakhouse inside Shore Lodge on Payette Lake. The meal is priced at $$ for a two-course dinner (roughly $40–$65 per person before wine and tip), which makes it accessible relative to comparable resort dining. The beef program runs from a 7-oz tenderloin to a 32-oz tomahawk; the wine list is the strongest in McCall with 585 selections and White Star recognition from Star Wine List. Arrive early on your first visit to catch the lake view at sunset , the floor-to-ceiling windows face west.
Yes, and specifically for anniversaries and milestone dinners it is the clearest choice in McCall. The private wine cellar (16 seats, 2,000-bottle storage) is the room to request for a proposal or a significant celebration , it offers privacy and visual drama that the main dining room cannot match. The steak knife selection ritual, the regional sourcing story, and the structured wine program all give the meal a sense of occasion that goes beyond standard resort dining. For a wedding anniversary dinner in central Idaho, there is no equivalent in this market.
One week is enough for most weeknight dinners. For weekend evenings, book two weeks out; for peak summer or holiday periods, three weeks is safer given the 46-seat capacity. The private wine cellar needs a specific request at time of booking , do not assume it will be available on short notice. Contact Shore Lodge directly, as no online booking system is published for this venue. Booking is easy by the standards of this price tier.
The Narrows is listed as a wine bar and restaurant, which suggests bar seating exists, but the venue database does not confirm specific bar dining capacity or policy. Contact Shore Lodge directly before your visit if bar seating is important to your plan. The main dining room at 46 seats is the confirmed experience, and the wine cellar requires a reservation request.
Within McCall, there is no direct equivalent at this price and format level , The Narrows is the town's clearest upscale dinner option. For regional context: if you are travelling through Idaho and open to a longer drive, the broader Pacific Northwest has stronger competition in the $$$–$$$$ tier. For steakhouse comparisons at a national level, Peter Luger in New York is the reference point for no-frills beef quality, while CUT Singapore shows what the format looks like with hotel-level service polish. Neither is a McCall alternative, but both help calibrate what The Narrows is and is not. For McCall's full dining picture, see our McCall restaurants guide.
| Venue | Cuisine | Price | Awards | Booking Difficulty | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Narrows Steakhouse | American Steakhouse | It doesn’t get much better than savoring a succulent steakin a cozy dining room with scenic views. Luckily, Shore Lodge’s The NarrowsSteakhouse delivers on all counts.; The Narrows Steakhouse is a wine bar venue.without_translation_and restaurant in McCall, USA. It was published on Star Wine List on July 19, 2022 and is a White Star.; It doesn’t get much better than savoring a succulent steak in a cozy dining room with scenic views. Luckily, Shore Lodge’s The Narrows Steakhouse delivers on all counts. **Our Inspector's Highlights At The Narrows, attention to detail isn’t limited to the prime cuts. Before digging into your meaty morsel, select a custom steak knife: a Laguiole from France, a Shun from Japan or a Porsche-designed Chroma from Germany. For an exclusive experience, opt to dine in the McCall steakhouse’s chic wine cellar. With seating for 16, the modern-mountain space features reclaimed wood and glass walls that store a 2,000-bottle collection. A wall of floor-to-ceiling windows ensures you can enjoy those gorgeous mountain vistas from the cozy comfort of the McCall steakhouse dining room. Make an early dinner reservation to enjoy a front-row seat to an enchanting sunset. Obviously, the steaks are a highlight. From the seven-ounce tenderloin to the 32-ounce rib-eye tomahawk, there’s a cut to satiate any appetite. Beyond the beef, The Narrows Steakhouse features locally sourced ingredients whenever possible. Look out for dishes like Lava Lake lamb meatball soup, Idaho red butter lettuce wedge salad with creamy tarragon dressing, and Pacific cold-water oysters.** **Things to Know The intimate dining room only seats 46, so make a reservation if you plan to visit on a weekend or holiday. Don’t miss the chance to indulge in one of The Narrows Steakhouse’s winemaker dinners and savor a multi-course meal alongside pairings from the host vintner. Past wineries have included Napa’s Trefethen Family Vineyards and Washington’s J. Bookwalter Wines. A dedicated kid’s menu (complete with appetizer and dessert options) ensures even the pickiest eaters can have a memorable night out, though the McCall restaurant’s more formal environs might inspire you to call a sitter.** **Treatments:** The Food Start your meal with a sublime serving of seafood in the form of a cognac-infused lobster bisque or an impressive platter packed with chilled colossal shrimp, oysters, king crab legs and a lobster tail. Regionally sourced steaks are the focus here, like a bone-in rib-eye tomahawk from Washington-based Double R Ranch and a wagyu sirloin from nearby Snake River Farms. Beef up your prime cut with one of The Narrows’ savory sauces (like a Washington cabernet reduction or creamy mushroom and black pepper gravy) or flavored butters (blue cheese and sage, and chipotle-agave are among the offerings). You don’t have to be a steak lover to enjoy a memorable meal here. Teriyaki-glazed sea bass, handmade gnocchi and Lava Lakes rack of lamb are among the mouth-watering options. Finish off your dining experience with a light (but no less indulgent) dessert, like fresh fruit meringue or poached Washington spiced apple with housemade persimmon ice cream. There’s also a flowerless chocolate cake for those with a serious sweet tooth. **Amenities:** 501 West Lake Street, McCall, Idaho 83638; WINE: Wine Strengths: California, France, Washington Pricing: $$ i Wine pricing: Based on the list\'s general markup and high and low price points:$ has many bottles < $50;$$ has a range of pricing;$$$ has many $100+ bottles Corkage Fee: $20 Selections: 585 Inventory: 3,640 CUISINE: Cuisine Types: American Pricing: $$ i Cuisine pricing: The cost of a typical two-course meal, not including tip or beverages.$ is < $40;$$ is $40–$65;$$$ is $66+. Meals: Dinner STAFF: People Cory Strobaugh:Wine Director Wine Director: Cory Strobaugh Chef: Marcus Stewart General Manager: Tom Garcia Owner: Shore Lodge / Whitetail LLC | Easy | — | |
| Le Bernardin | French, Seafood | $$$$ | Michelin 3 Star, World's 50 Best | Unknown | — |
| Atomix | Modern Korean, Korean | $$$$ | Michelin 2 Star, World's 50 Best | Unknown | — |
| Lazy Bear | Progressive American, Contemporary | $$$$ | Michelin 2 Star, World's 50 Best | Unknown | — |
| Alinea | Progressive American, Creative | $$$$ | Michelin 3 Star, World's 50 Best | Unknown | — |
| Atelier Crenn | Modern French, Contemporary | $$$$ | Michelin 3 Star, World's 50 Best | Unknown | — |
Key differences to consider before you reserve.
The Narrows is a dinner-only steakhouse inside Shore Lodge on Payette Lake, priced at roughly $40–$65 per person for two courses before wine. The dining room seats only 46, so a reservation is necessary on weekends. The beef program runs from a seven-ounce tenderloin to a 32-ounce rib-eye tomahawk, with locally sourced options from Snake River Farms and Double R Ranch. Arrive early enough to catch the sunset through the floor-to-ceiling lake-facing windows.
Yes — for anniversaries and milestone dinners in McCall, it is the clearest choice. The private wine cellar seats 16, holds a 2,000-bottle collection, and gives groups an enclosed, formal setting that the main dining room does not replicate. Past winemaker dinners have featured producers like Trefethen Family Vineyards and J. Bookwalter Wines, which signals the level of programming on offer. There is nothing comparable at this format or price point elsewhere in town.
One week is sufficient for most weeknight dinners. For weekend evenings, two weeks is the safer target; during peak summer weekends or holiday periods, book three weeks out. The dining room holds only 46 seats, which creates genuine scarcity on busy nights even though McCall is not a high-volume dining city.
The Narrows is listed as both a wine bar and restaurant, which suggests some form of bar seating exists at the venue. The database does not confirm specific bar dining capacity or whether the full menu is available there. If bar seating is a priority, contact Shore Lodge directly at 501 W Lake St, McCall, ID 83638 to confirm before visiting.
Within McCall, there is no direct equivalent at this price and format level. For a more casual dinner in town, the comparison is against general American dining options rather than a competing steakhouse. If you are making a regional trip specifically for high-end beef, Boise's better steakhouse programs are roughly two hours south and offer more competitive wine lists — though The Narrows' 585-selection list with 3,640 bottles of inventory is strong for its market.
Keep this venue in your Pearl passport, rate it after you visit, and track it alongside every other place you collect.
