We were anxiously awaiting the reopening of the restaurant. We have been going for years and always enjoyed the food and the wine list. The new menu is limited. There are not enough choices for starters, entres, or wine. And yes, artic char is like salmon but the original salmon dish was so much better. We had to ask for bread and discovered that would be an extra charge. The wine list is limited and expensive. Our server was pleasant, the decor is fine. It still feels the same with a few less seats. This restaurant may impress the tourists but for those of us who went often, it is a disappointment Please don't change your sister restaurants. read more

I do not write reviews for restaurants in general but this place was great. Try the hibiscus drink (genius bar tender), burrata salad, oysters, and risotto. read more

Delicious dinner, to start best French onion soup maybe ever. Could be the cold & rain talking, but that soup was awesome. Service is lovely, servers allowed to have personalities, and also impeccable attention & kindness, great combo. Management clearly has a good handle on everything, and servers seem happy. What could be better? Great food, great service, lovely lively atmosphere. We'll be back for sure. read more

My wife and I and another couple we're lucky enough to get reservations on a Saturday night to check out the newly remodeled Montrio. Everything is superb. If I could give 6 stars, I would. Absolutely excellent. They have renovated the upstairs to now be a second dining room with a second (really cool) bar. The décor is classy and very well done. (They've also redone the downstairs, which is even cooler -- now with much improved seating throughout.) The vibe in the entire restaurant is fantastic. We loved the 'old' Montrio -- the new version is even better. The food, the wine, the cocktails, the service -- every bit of it was top notch. Usually at least one of those 4 components is lacking. Not at the new Montrio -- every step was on point, every component of an excellent meal and dining experience. The food was simply excellent. This new chef has created a spectacular menu. We had grilled octopus to start -- which is perfect -- and some of the most incredible oysters I've ever had (the chef had prepared them with sea urchin (uni), a lemon oil, and other accoutrements -- creative and delicious and different). Our dining companion had the French onion soup which she said might be the best she's ever had. We each got a salad -- the Caesar and a market green salad which was out of this world. One of us got braised short ribs (incredible) for the main; another got a crab cake which was excellent. My wife and I shared a very large dry aged strip steak -- which is designed to be shared for two (it was huge) and comes with fantastic yukon potatoes and creamed spinach. I haven't even mentioned the cocktails yet -- which include both perfectly crafted classics and really excellent new innovations. The wine list is solid and well priced. We are stoked to have the new and improved Montrio open again and will be back regularly. It is truly fantastic. Do not miss it! read more

Two stars bc the ambience is nice. Went here for our anniversary with a reservation stating that it was our anniversary. We were seated at a table in front of the bar. I ordered scallops...should have been called mushrooms bc you got 3 scallops that weren't very memorable. My husband wasn't so sure the wagu was such as we have it all of the time at home...didn't look very marbley. read more

Can't say I'm terribly impressed. We started out with the chicken liver. Nice presentation and good serving size for two to share. Then we had the cauliflower. Cauliflower was 31 dollars. The sauce was over powering and did not compliment the cauliflower whatsoever. I've ordered oven roasted cauliflower elsewhere that was browned in the oven with olive oil and sea salt for a third of the price and it was better than what was served at Montrio. Lastly, the wait for our food was definitely longer than I've waited elsewhere at similar priced restaurants. Price was not commensurate with the food that was served. read more

Phenomenal experience,, 5/5 for food, ambiance, service, and drinks. My mom and I were deciding between here and another restaurant and I am so glad we made this our last meal in Monterey! Started off with oyster trio, pork belly, truffle risotto, and shrimp cocktail apps; I would get everything other than the shrimp cocktail again, which was good quality but I personally do not like shrimp cocktail so a preference thing. PLEASE GET THE PORK BELLY AND TRUFFLE RISOTTO IF ITS ON THE MENU. Cooked to perfection and very well balanced, not overwhelmingly rich/creamy so you wouldn't be able to enjoy entrees. Friend and I got scallops for main since apps were heavier and mwaH delicious delicious delicious. I really enjoyed the farro (?) underneath and the foamed creamy thing around it, everything melded so so well. Mom got crab cake and heirloom tomatoes bc she is obsessed w tomatoes right now, but I do not recommend them, they def needed more salt acid and were meh- maybe this dish was a fluke since everything else was exquisitely seasoned. Crab cakes were fine but also nothing out of the ordinary,, cooked perfectly but personally just did not like the bell pepper-y (??) taste. No room for dessert. Had the Paloma which was strong but a bit sweet for my taste as I am much much more of a sour gal myself. Will def stop by when in town again. read more

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A unique venue with a very interesting and varied menu. The cuisine represented an interesting blend of American with a differentiated and tasty enhancement. Sitting in the Old Firehouse created character and a sense of belonging, that was echoed in the attentiveness of the staff and the presentation of the foods. If you are looking for something different, a fine-food cuisine, and the service to match, I would encourage you to think of Montrio in Monterey. You won't be disappointed. And looking at some of these other reviews .. it's easy to critique and throw rocks-over-the-internet, but it's not that pricey, the food is of fine-cuisine quality, and the service - on their opening night - was exactly what I expect of a high caliber restaurant in the Bay Area. I eat at Alexanders, EPIC, and other fine restaurants in the area. Try Montrio - it'll refresh your belief in what Monterey can offer read more

Visited February 19, 2022 as the menu looked amazing but that was the best part. First the wine was pleasant but the price was way high. Ordered the Agua Chili as this looked spectacular one table over but mine simply had no flavor. Had to be returned. Then came the Roasted Chicken and sauted vegetables. Chicken was way over cooked. No flavor but nice and chewy. Costco roasted chicken tastes better. The staff was pleasant and friendly but the management was not. The chef should taste the food before it goes out. Nice building great appearance and a few minutes walk from the Bay. read more

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All you need to know is this: Order the S'More! Repeat: Order the S'More!!! I was just planning on stopping by here with a friend for drinks before heading back to my hotel, and ended up having my first foodgasm. Seriously! It was that good! So good that we were planning on going back the next day just to order more, one each this time instead of sharing, and almost cried when we arrived and it was closed. I can't get it off my mind. Homemade graham cracker, homemade marshmallow, with a touch of chocolate that just floats in your mouth. I'm going to be dreaming about this for weeks. Until next time Montrio... P.S. Your bartender is a mixologist genius! http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/NDciyCBTyX1T3eP-ia2tMg?select=H-uCfQUzRZPheQLAEPk9vA read more

Montrio - Razz Lemon Drop and Pisco Sour - New American Near Me - Monterey, California

I am soo glad I stumbled upon this place while walking in Monterey! There was absolutely no wait to be seated (we came right after it opened) and service was on point. They didn't over do it...like when sometimes you go to an empty restaurant and they question you too much, or rush you...you know those types of places? Montrio Bistro isn't like that. Thankfully! I ordered the salmon and it was soo flavored and well seasoned! We also listened to you fellow yelpers and left room for the brioche bread pudding! SOOOO GOOD! When I'm back in town, I'm definitely making a stop here and double my order of bread pudding. read more

Montrio - Drinks! - New American Near Me - Monterey, California

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Expensive but worth it. Every time I come here it's such great food!!!! The ambiance and staff are great ....as a local this is a spot I will always go to! read more

So excited to step back into this classic peninsula restaurant, enjoyed by locals and tourists alike! My wife and I had been waiting to come back in since our last visit, on our wedding night, just before the shutdown in March of 2020, and the newly renovated Montrio did not disappoint. We were greeted with smiling faces, hospitable servers, delicious food, and even the manager and owner stopped by to check in on us. We were with friends, so we tried several of the appetizers from the mouth watering octopus, and crab cake, to the fresh shucked oysters. Main course for me was the Wagyu Ribeye, cooked to perfection... finished with a delicious sauce I may add, that complimented the tender and juicy steak. We finished off the evening with the white chocolate bread pudding with passion fruit ice cream, and a classic crème brûlée with slices of fresh blood Orange on top. Lastly, it wouldn't be right to talk about our dinner and not mention the perfectly balanced cocktails we enjoyed throughout. The cocktails have always been good, but these were spot on amazing!! One of our favorite spots in Monterey has stayed true to what they do best, through a pandemic, remodel, and some new staff. Not every restaurant has been able to keep the standard we grew to love, but Montrio didn't skip a beat. Can't wait to visit again! read more

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We really enjoyed our dinner the other evening at Montrio.  The seating was comfortable and the ambiance was relaxing. The staff were welcoming and we had a very pleasant attentive young lady serve us. I started with onion soup - which I will always pick if its on the menu as it is a favorite of mine. It was extremely tasty. My main course was the filet mignonette, that was cooked perfectly for medium as I requested. It has a potato millefeuille as a side, it was delicious. For dessert I had the chocolate cake with ice cream that was to die for. I would go back just for that, as I liked it so much. It was on the richer side, but then who wants chocolate cake when you can't taste the chocolate. My husband and I are looking forward to being in Monterey again, so we can try some of the other menu items. read more

Excellent food, excellent service. We had the octopus, burrata salad, Arctic char and scallops. White chocolate bread pudding and chocolate cake. Accommodated us with no reservation and did not rush us out. Wonderful experience and food. read more

Montrio came highly recommended and it EXCEEDED our expectations. The staff was incredibly friendly and professional, the server gave excellent recommendations and every bite of food was delicious. They were busy, yet we never felt rushed or waited long for our drinks and food. We ordered things we wouldn't have normally ordered and were blown away. Worth every penny and such a treat. A wonderful experience. read more

Service was excellent, the atmosphere is spectacular and the food is phenomenal. If you don't get the Budino for dessert you will regret it for the rest of your life. This is our first time here...... it won't be our last. read more

Each dish was packed with flavour, showcasing the chef's incredible skills and dedication to their craft.

Amazing service from the start. Victoria was our server and welcomed my fiancé and I with open arms. We just got engaged and our server was so thoughtful and put little hearts on the table for us and we engaged in wonderful conversation. Also, any staff we ran into was very kind and welcoming. As well, the food was excellent and amazing. The salmon is on point if you like seafood. Even the short rib ravioli was wonderful! 5 stars for sure for this wonderful place. Thank you for the love Montrio Bistro! -Jordan read more

The food was fantastic. I had one of the best swordfish meals of my life. Our toddler devoured the arctic char. The wait staff was super attentive and friendly. I can't say enough about this dining experience. We've been driving up the coast from Los Angeles and this restaurant makes up for all the nonsense tourist seafood restaurants this town offers. This is real deal seafood in Monterey. Highly recommend it! read more

Rustic and cozy atmosphere, this place delivered on its food taste. Came here for an event upstairs in the small dining room area. Their Dungeness crab cake balls are amazing. The mixed Salad was tasty with cheese topping and a little bit of sweetness to it. Highlight for me was the scallops over a bed of quinoa with Thai sauce that were cooked perfectly. Dessert was chocolate molten lava cake and it left me a happy camper. read more

The staff was as good as the food. Great setting and food. I would have liked a little more duck but it is hard to complain when yo realize what Covid did to restaurants read more

Good variety of fresh food with many small bite options. Reservations not required but preferred or you might be waiting. Street parking or garage available. Good array of wine and full bar prices are a little high. read more

There is no such place as this, and I believe it to be a scam. Since my party size is larger than what Opentable allows, I have called 16 times over 4 weeks (4/15/2022 to 5/15/2022) to make a reservation. Despite leaving voicemail messages, sending emails, and contacting them via their website, I have not received a response. On the main number, I now receive a message that the person's mailbox has not been configured. read more

Great service and food is melt in your mouth good! You get what you pay for. Recommend by a friend and will be returning for sure!

We came here from out of town to visit a service member at Presidio of Monterey. Dinner was delightful and all dishes were well prepared. I brought a bottle of wine and corkage was reasonably priced. read more

The food is fresh and the menu is well thought out. They had multiple choices and the food is all prepared with organic ingredients. The salmon was delicious and so was the duck! We were a large party and they made accommodations for all of us. The servers were very attentive and we really enjoyed our meal. The bread pudding was phenomenal and warmly prepared with passion fruit ice cream. read more

Tops- the service we received at Montrio was speedy considerate and friendly. Our servers were Cesar and Ruben, they were the best. The food was amazing- creative, satisfying and delicious, the drinks the same, I had a Flor de la Casona and the combo of flavors was like nothing I had ever tried. Thank you to the staff at Montrio, my 50th birthday celebration was memorable and special! read more

Montrio - Flor de la Casona - New American Near Me - Monterey, California

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Good food! Good restaurant. I went here to meet with some vendors regarding a proposal. The restaurant was very busy so I recommend you making reservations. Luckily we have reservations so we were seated quickly. The restaurant has a large selection of beers and wine. They also have mixed drinks if that's your preference. I stuck two beers, but was told there are mixed drinks were quite good. There is a good selection of food choices. Depending on what mood you are in, There are burgers, fish, steak, and salads to choose from. Their appetizers are very good. I recommend you try the brie. I had the salmon which they are very proud of and for good reason. It was done perfectly. Mostly grilled with a light sauce and serve with vegetables and a polenta. I'm not big on fish but this was very very good. There are a number of very tasty desserts too I tried that one with chocolate ice cream and was very pleased with it. I recommend you looking the place up and checking out their menu. If it sounds to your liking, go check it out! read more

Montrio - New American Near Me - Monterey, California

I wish I could give this place 10 stars because it truly deserves it. What an incredible dining experience and outstanding food. On June 2, I brought my parents down to Monterey for my Mom's 70th birthday. I planned out a number of stops and meals and ended up finding this place on Yelp and made a reservation online. As I usually do, I added a note about the occasion which, up until this visit to Montrio, was ignored 100% of the time (or at least it seemed). Upon arriving at the restaurant, I went up to the hostess and said my name for the reservation. Their immediate response was an enthusiastic "happy birthday" to my Mom. We were escorted to our table where they had decorated for the birthday celebration. Seriously, who does that?? Already pleasantly surprised, the meal and the service were top notch. All of the staff was extraordinarily friendly and helpful. The food was seriously incredible, and the desert they sent out at the end was literally just icing on the cake. This place went above and beyond for us and those we talked to around us agreed related to their experience. In fact, there were several patrons that called this their "go to" when in Monterey, and I totally understand why. If you are looking for a nice, comfortable restaurant with extraordinary food and incredible service, go here. And go here now! You won't regret it! No question, I'll definitely be back. read more

This is the second time I've dined here. I always try to stop here when visiting Monterey. The staff is always pleasant and helpful with recommendations on food and/or drink. Everything I have tried has not disappointed. I always walk away satisfied. read more

Montrio - Poutine Fries! - New American Near Me - Monterey, California

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Went there for our special anniversary dinner. Ordered the crab cake for appetizer. Full of crab. Husband had the wagyu ribeye and I ordered the filet mignon. Mine was slightly overcooked ( ordered medium rare) but was still tender. All the food was good along with the service. House made desserts came with candles to celebrate the occasion. read more

Montrio - Desserts. - New American Near Me - Monterey, California

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One of the best in Monterey. If you like exploring interesting and funky ingredient combinations that somehow magically all work beautifully together, then give this place a shot. They also have great wine recommendations from their somolier. Highly recommended items: Beef tartare Octopus tatare Seared wagyu Duck fat potatoes 48 hr bacon Rack of lamb And bread pudding!!! All amazing. Highly recommend. Easily top 10 in Monterey. read more

Went in the other night for the first time since the new construction, and we had a great experience! We started with the chicken liver pâté, and crab cake. The chicken liver pâté was a generous portion, and we took the remainder home. The wine list is more streamlined, along with the food menu. I had the duck and it was good, but I tasted my friend's half chicken and liked hers better. Lol. Our server Concetta was so joyful, and her smile highlighted our night. The management was on point as well coming around and checking how we liked our meals, offering us additional beverages! Thank you so much for the hospitality, we will be back read more

This place is amazing, I don't know why I have never been there before. Was able to make a last minute reservation on their website. I would highly recommend making one, it was a Wednesday night and it was pretty packed for a week day. Patio is dog friendly with heaters! We got the 48 hour bacon and the oatmeal crusted Brie...both AMAZING. The complimentary bread was fresh out the oven...I probably could have eaten a loaf of it. My fiancee got the burger with the fried egg and I got the new york with the bone marrow butter. Everything was DELICIOUS. We didn't have room for dessert. Our server was a GEM, Very personable and very likeable. I forgot her name. Several other staff members stopped by the table to drop off drinks, clear the table...etc. Everyone was wonderful. At the end we were talking to the server about our dogs and she sent us home with 2 home made dog biscuits. What a wonderful establishment. read more

We went there and had the best service ever.. It is hard to find a good steak thesedays and we had the filet mignon which was cooked to perfection. Thanks for being a world class place read more

Came here for my rehearsal dinner tonight, and everything was lovely. We booked the upstairs private area, which accommodated our group of 30, but easily could have accommodated much more. It even has its own bar. The planning process was really smooth, and they are very easy to communicate with. When we said we didn't want to serve alcohol, they gave us several other options for our guests. They have many unique non alcoholic drinks! When we arrived, there was a very visible sign for our event pointing us upstairs to the private area. The menus were also customized. The service was impeccable. All the waitstaff was super nice and responsive. The food was also delicious. We hadn't taste tested anything before hands, but were pleasantly surprised. My mom really liked the mustard vinaigrette on the salad. The 48hr pork and shrimp got so many compliments! And the apple tart at the end really hit the spot. Oh, and did I mention the value??? There is a minimum spend to use the private room, but a group of 30 with non alcoholic drinks hit it just about right with their set menu options before tax and tip. This was also such a better deal than a lot of other places we considered. Thanks for having us! I can't wait to come back for an anniversary dinner! read more

Went to place a takeout order and the person answering the phone could not explain the menu. She stated "I don't eat here and our menu changes daily." Then she placed me on hold but I could hear her in the background helping guests coming into the restaurant. She then hung up on me. I guess my order wasn't worth the time. Too bad I was going to order quite a bit as I am very hungry. read more

My sister who lived in Monterey for 10 years told me and my husband this was where she would have our parents take her out when they were in town! It lived up to the hype. We called and last min and they not only accommodated us, but were very nice about it and gave us a table for four which meant we could have a little breathing room in the crowded floor. The food was AMAZING. Every course - this is very rare. Usually one course is better. We couldn't decided which one was the best. Our waiter was nice and asked if we liked what he recommended (the bread pudding) which we did (but the lemon tart was BEYOND). It was a bit loud, but we loved the fun ambiance. I wouldn't bring our parents here now (they are in their mid-70s), but it was interesting bc the crowd was older and seemed like this was the happening spot for middle aged people and successful businessmen on dates. Hope we are in Monterey so we can come back! read more

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First time in and we were so disappointed. We sat at the bar and the bartender was too busy to greet us. Still, we waited around but felt like we were not acknowledged. We asked a few questions about their spirits but the bartended didn't seem to know what we were talking about or didn't care. I could understand if the restaurant/bar was busy but literally there was 2 people at the bar and the restaurant was empty. Needless to say we will never be stopping by again. read more