Cafe Massilia THIS RESTAURANT IS CLOSED Cafe Massilia

THIS RESTAURANT IS CLOSED Cafe Massilia

110 E. Lemon Ave. (Myrtle Ave.)
Monrovia, CA 91016
626-471-3588
Map
Cuisine: French
An inviting brick-lined bistro with many well-prepared classics, including escargots, moules marinière and steak au poivre.
Openings: Breakfast Tues.-Sun., Lunch & Dinner daily

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THIS RESTAURANT IS CLOSED Cafe Massilia Restaurant Review:


This little boîte in downtown Monrovia serves some of the best bistro cooking in the area. Massilia was the Roman name for the city we now call Marseilles, and owners Chris Giovanelli and Philippe Laurentz have lined their bistro’s sultry dark red walls with images of the Mediterranean. Red and black linen and vintage lighting complete the scene at this spot convenient to theaters and shopping. The dinner menu offers many predictable, but quite nicely executed bistro dishes, beginning with garlicky escargots, a salad of avocado and bay shrimp in a lemon sauce, and classic French onion soup. Among entrées, there are classics like filet of sole topped with grilled almonds in a garlic, butter and lemon sauce, as well as duck leg confit and a roasted ten-ounce pork chop. The owners are true enough to their native cuisine not to even serve Marseilles’ signature bouillabaisse, since the fish required to make it truly authentic are too difficult to find locally. A selection of modestly priced pastas is available as well. Desserts include profiteroles and a satisfying tarte Tatin. The wine list is not extensive, but includes reasonably priced selections from most major French viticultural regions.