La Monarca Bakery

La Monarca Bakery Restaurant Review:

La Monarca is not only bringing some good sweets to the Westside, but it’s breaking down cultural barriers at the same time. This is the first branch of a highly regarded Mexican bakery---the others are in Huntington Park and City of Commerce---to open west of downtown. It’s an inviting modern space tucked behind a sleek glass façade, with warm colors, contemporary lighting juxtaposed against a traditional crystal chandelier, and enticing cases of fresh pastries. Coffee drinks, including café de olla (infused with cinnamon and brown sugar) and café Oaxaca---as well as more familiar Westside staples like lattes and cappuccinos---are made from certified organic beans. In addition to a variety of fresh-baked pan dulce, La Monarca offers buñuelos, guava turnovers and a breakfast pastry stuffed with ham, cheese and jalapeño. Croissants, palmiers and other European specialties are also prepared quite respectably at La Monarca.