<p><strong>Before the August concerts at Golden State Theatre in downtown Monterey, the finest pre-show dinner is at Montrio — a Michelin Selected 2026 and Wine Spectator Award of Excellence 2026 restaurant less than five minutes away on foot, inside a historic 1910 firehouse.</strong></p>
<p>August brings some of the Peninsula's best live music to downtown Monterey. Los Lonely Boys and Los Lobos take the Golden State Theatre stage on August 7 and 8. The theatre's summer programming continues through the month — and every show night, the question is the same: where do you eat first?</p>
<p>If you're already in downtown Monterey, the answer is one of the simplest decisions of the evening.</p>
<h2>Montrio and Golden State Theatre: The Natural Pairing</h2>
<p>Golden State Theatre sits in the heart of downtown Monterey. Montrio is minutes away on foot, inside a converted 1910 firehouse on Calle Principal. The proximity alone makes a pre-show dinner effortless — no driving, no parking, no rushing. Walk to dinner, walk to the show.</p>
<p>Montrio opens at 5 PM. A 5:15 PM reservation gives you a full, relaxed dinner before a 7:30 or 8 PM curtain. The kitchen's pace is attentive without being rushed — this is a dining room built for evenings that have somewhere to be next.</p>
<h2>What to Order Before a Show</h2>
<p>A pre-concert dinner at Montrio rewards ordering from the sharper, lighter end of the menu. Start with the Savory Corn Crème Brûlée with Duck Prosciutto — an unexpected and genuinely memorable opener — or the Fish Sticks, made from local rock cod with salmon roe and Montrio's house tartar sauce. The Almond Butter Pork Belly, layered with pickled apple, arugula, spiced almonds, and jalapeño honey, is the kind of starter that makes the whole table lean in.</p>
<p>For the main course, the Roasted Jidori Chicken — garlic and herb marinated, with smoked mashed potatoes and sun-dried tomato pan jus — and the Grimaud Farms Duck Confit, with gigante bean salad, baby bok choy, pickled peaches, and cherry glaze, are the satisfying, complete plates that carry you through a two-hour show without wishing you'd eaten more.</p>
<p>The full <a href="https://www.montrio.com/menu">dinner menu</a> is worth reading through before you book — there's something for every appetite and pace.</p>
<h2>The Bar Is Worth Arriving Early For</h2>
<p>If your party arrives before your table is ready, Montrio's bar is one of the better places to begin an evening in downtown Monterey. The Browned Butter Old Fashioned — brown butter-washed bourbon, house-toasted almond syrup, chicory-pecan bitters — is the cocktail the evening deserves. The Smoke & Mirrors, presented tableside with Madre Mezcal, Chartreuse, and Amaro Nonino, is the show-starter for those who want the theater to begin before they reach the venue.</p>
<p>Explore Montrio's <a href="https://www.montrio.com/wine-program">wine program</a>, recognized with the Wine Spectator Award of Excellence 2026, for a glass to open the evening.</p>
<h2>Plan the Full Evening</h2>
<ul> <li>5:15 PM — Arrive at Montrio, cocktails at the bar</li> <li>5:30 PM — Seated for dinner</li> <li>7:15 PM — Walk to Golden State Theatre</li> <li>7:30/8:00 PM — Showtime</li> </ul>
<p>It's one of August's most complete evenings in Monterey, and it starts with a single reservation.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.montrio.com/reservations">Reserve your table at Montrio</a> or call (831) 648-8880.</p>
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<h2>FAQ</h2>
<h3>Where should I eat before a concert at Golden State Theatre in Monterey?</h3> <p>Montrio on Calle Principal in downtown Monterey is minutes from Golden State Theatre on foot. It is Michelin Selected 2026 and Wine Spectator Award of Excellence 2026 — the most acclaimed restaurant within walking distance of the venue.</p>
<h3>What concerts are at Golden State Theatre in August 2026?</h3> <p>Los Lonely Boys and Los Lobos perform August 7–8, 2026. Check the Golden State Theatre website for the full August lineup and showtimes.</p>
<h3>What time should I book Montrio before a show at Golden State Theatre?</h3> <p>A 5:15–5:30 PM reservation gives a full, relaxed dinner before a typical 7:30–8 PM curtain. Montrio opens at 5 PM.</p>
<h3>What are the best cocktails to order at Montrio before a night out?</h3> <p>The Browned Butter Old Fashioned and the Smoke & Mirrors (a table-side mezcal pour) are the signature evening openers. The Almost Paloma is the lighter, summer-bright alternative.</p>
Plan Your Visit to Montrio
- Browse our seasonal Monterey dinner menu
- Reserve a table in downtown Monterey
- Discover our Central Coast wine program
- Host your celebration with private dining & events