The Perfect August Friday in Monterey — Dinner at Montrio, Then the Asilomar Sunset Series

<h1>The Perfect August Friday in Monterey — Dinner at Montrio, Then the Asilomar Sunset Series</h1>

<p><strong>The best Friday evening in Monterey this August follows a simple sequence: dinner at Montrio in downtown Monterey, then the Asilomar Sunset Music Series on the coast. Montrio is Michelin Selected 2026 and Wine Spectator Award of Excellence 2026 — the right start to any evening worth remembering.</strong></p>

<p>August Fridays on the Monterey Peninsula have a particular rhythm. The workweek dissolves, the coastal fog holds back until evening, and Asilomar State Beach Conference Grounds fills from 6 to 9 PM with live music, local craft beer and wine, seasonal small bites, and the kind of relaxed outdoor energy that only happens when summer is at its peak. It's one of the Peninsula's most beloved recurring traditions — and it pairs perfectly with an early dinner in downtown Monterey first.</p>

<h2>Dinner Before the Music</h2>

<p>Montrio opens at 5 PM, which puts a full dinner comfortably between arriving downtown and making the short drive to Asilomar for the 6 PM start. This is a genuinely easy evening to plan — and one of the best ways to spend a Friday in August.</p>

<p>Start with cocktails at Montrio's bar. The Almost Paloma — tequila, lime, house-made grapefruit shrub — is the summer opener. The Smoke &amp; Mirrors, a table-side mezcal pour with Chartreuse and Amaro Nonino, is the choice for those who want a bit of ceremony before the evening begins.</p>

<p> From the <a href="https://www.montrio.com/menu">menu</a>, a Friday evening in August calls for the lighter, brighter end of the kitchen's range. The Ahi Tuna — sesame crusted, with shiso arugula cucumber salad and a sesame ginger lime vinaigrette — and the Jumbo Lump Blue Crab Cakes with malt vinegar aioli are the right first course energy: clean, precise, built for summer. The Burrata and Heirloom Tomato Salad, dressed with premium oils and micro basil, is the salad this season deserves. </p>

<p>For the main, the Rainbow Trout — blue cornmeal dusted, with tri-colored potato salad, saffron aioli, and haricot verts — is as coastal and seasonal as Monterey gets in August. The Seared Sea Scallops, with creamed corn, sun-dried tomato, wilted arugula, and aged juniper balsamic, are a perennial Friday favorite.</p>

<p> A glass from Montrio's <a href="https://www.montrio.com/wine-program">wine program</a> — honored with the Wine Spectator Award of Excellence 2026 — and dinner is exactly what a Friday evening should be. </p>

<h2>For Couples and Locals</h2>

<p>This is an ideal sequence for couples looking for a full evening without the usual "what do we do after dinner?" question. It's equally good for locals who want to make the most of August without leaving the Peninsula. Visitors staying in Carmel or Pacific Grove will find Montrio a natural anchor for the night before heading to Asilomar.</p>

<p>The Asilomar Sunset Music Series runs every Friday in August — check the current lineup at the Asilomar Conference Grounds website and plan your dinner reservation to match.</p>

<h2>Not Drinking Tonight?</h2>

<p>Montrio's mocktail program — including the Montrio Spritz, Passionate Life, Blood Orange Shrub, and Grapefruit Shrub — is made in-house with the same care as every other glass at the bar. You'll leave the same well-fed and ready for the evening.</p>

<p> <a href="https://www.montrio.com/reservations">Reserve your table at Montrio</a> or call <a href="tel:+18316488880">(831) 648-8880</a>. </p>

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<h3>FAQ</h3>

<h4>What is the Asilomar Sunset Music Series?</h4> <p>The Asilomar Sunset Music Series runs every Friday evening from 6–9 PM in August at Asilomar State Beach Conference Grounds in Pacific Grove, featuring live music, local craft beer and wine, seasonal small bites, and s'mores.</p>

<h4>What time should I book Montrio before the Asilomar Sunset Series?</h4> <p>A 5–5:30 PM reservation gives you a full, unhurried dinner at Montrio before the 6 PM Asilomar start. Montrio opens at 5 PM daily.</p>

<h4>What should I order at Montrio for a summer Friday evening?</h4> <p>The Ahi Tuna or Jumbo Lump Blue Crab Cakes for starters, the Rainbow Trout or Seared Sea Scallops as a main, and a glass from the Wine Spectator Award of Excellence 2026 wine list. The Almost Paloma cocktail is the summer opener.</p>

<h4>Is Montrio good for date nights in Monterey?</h4> <p>Yes. The historic 1910 firehouse setting, Michelin Selected 2026 recognition, and seasonal New American menu make Montrio consistently one of Monterey's most recommended date night restaurants.</p>