Chris Giovannelli and Philippe Laurentz opened Café Massilia three weeks ago in the former Monrovia home to Amori, naming their French restaurant for what people called Marseilles in Roman times.
It was an easy decision to open in Monrovia. Giovannelli said, “I live five minutes away. I knew Monrovia before. Why not? I like the old town. It looks like the small village where I’m from.”
Giovannelli described Café Massilia’s food as “southern French, from Lyon to the French Riviera.” Expect black mussels with white wine and shallots, onion soup, escargots with garlic, butter and olive oil, “beautiful duck with raspberry and strawberry sauce” and nice filet mignon with white mushroom and red wine sauce.”
The wine list is exclusively French.
Desserts are made in house, including crème brûlée, profiteroles, chocolate mousse and apple tarte.
Laurentz is currently in France. Giovannelli says that as soon as he returns, they’ll hang “old pictures from Marseilles,” and Café Massilia should become even more “romantic.”
Blog Comments
mattatouille
June 3, 2009 at 4:50 PM
why haven’t I thought to go to this charming place?
Noah
April 18, 2009 at 11:47 PM
My girlfriend and I were just looking around for a bite for lunch. We came across the restaurant by accident. We saw the French flag from Myrtle. We had a terrific time. The food was fantastic. She had the pasta with salmon and I the asparagus soup. Definately an asset to old town Monrovia. Keep up the good work. Will see you again soon.
Karolein
April 2, 2009 at 12:50 PM
This is now our favorite place. Small/intimate and great food!
claire ramel
March 15, 2009 at 1:50 PM
slt^^ christophe!
comme je t”ai dit j’ai fais un tour sur le site! c”est sympa de voir notre cuisine outre atlantique.Se serait sympa de pouvoir venir la gouter maintenant!Mais j”ai pas vu le dessert “Carquei folies”?!!!!
bonne continuation & félicitation
Claire
Jeanette
December 11, 2008 at 3:33 PM
This truly is our favorite restaurant now. We go almost every week. Not just terrific food and a wonderful, reasonably priced wine list, but also warm, calm and friendly. It absolutely is a must-try.
Lenny,
October 2, 2008 at 10:31 PM
Great food, great atmosphere, wonderful place. Best of luck Chris, many blessings on your adventure. You got a great place.
mattatouille
September 18, 2008 at 4:00 PM
wow, based on that kind of reaction, looks like a must-try.
Brian U
September 17, 2008 at 9:16 PM
I love old town Monrovia (sorry, I am not really a “dine at the mall” kinda guy). I love non-chain restaurants where you can have a wonderful meal, and actually talk to the owner. The location is great, just off Myrtle on Lemon in Old Town Monrovia and lunch was wonderful. I am signed up for the 1st wine dinner, so more to come – merci beaucoup (just exhausted my highschool French)!
Sarah
September 17, 2008 at 8:23 AM
I love this place! I go about once a week because the food is amazing and its always fun to hang with Chris. Congrats on the new place!
Sherisse
September 16, 2008 at 11:10 PM
The food was great! Good luck with the restaurant.
Bolaji
September 16, 2008 at 7:05 PM
Way to go, Christo!
mattatouille
September 15, 2008 at 5:39 PM
nice to get some more old-school french up in LA.