Cafe Massilia Restaurant Review
110 E. Lemon Ave. (Myrtle Ave.) 
Send to Phone
Monrovia, CA 91016
626-471-3588
Tweet
Cuisine
Open
Breakfast Sun., Lunch & Dinner dailyFeatures
- Reservations suggested
- Outdoor dining
- Casual
* Click here for rating key
| 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, moules marinière, and a particularly pleasant salade Lyonnaise. Among entrées, trout is presented with both beurre blanc and bordelaise sauces, while a rendition of steak au poivre is flambéed with a generous coating of black pepper and drizzled with a relatively light Cognac sauce. The owners are true enough to their native cuisine not to even offer 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 offered as well, and desserts include profiteroles and a satisfying tarte Tatin. The wine list is not extensive, but includes reasonably priced offerings from most major French viticultural regions. |
|
RESTAURANT AWARDS
We just published the 2012 edition of our annual restaurant issue, featuring the Top 40 Restaurants in the U.S. and much more. Check it out!
THE BEST BURGERS IN TOWN
Hungry for a hamburger? From simple patties with a pickle to gourmet takes by top toques, we've compiled lists of the Top 10 Burgers in cities across the USA, including Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, New York and San Francisco.
