Chris Giovannelli and Philippe Laurentz opened Café Massilia three weeks ago in the former Amori space, naming their French restaurant for the name of 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 the 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 brulee, 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 the space should become even more “romantic.”

Beginning October 1, Café Massilia will host a monthly wine tasting. The Grand Opening is scheduled for October 8 @ Noon.

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1. mattatouille, September 15, 2008:

   nice to get some more old-school french up in LA.

2. Bolaji, September 16, 2008:

   Way to go, Christo!

3. Sherisse, September 16, 2008:

   The food was great! Good luck with the restaurant.

4. Sarah, September 17, 2008:

   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!

5. Brian U, September 17, 2008:

   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)!

6. mattatouille, September 18, 2008:

   wow, based on that kind of reaction, looks like a must-try.

7. Lenny,, October 2, 2008:

   Great food, great atmosphere, wonderful place. Best of luck Chris, many blessings on your adventure. You got a great place.

8. Jeanette, December 11, 2008:

   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.

9. claire ramel, March 15, 2009:

   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

10. Karolein, April 2, 2009:

    This is now our favorite place. Small/intimate and great food!

11. Noah, April 18, 2009:

    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.

12. mattatouille, June 3, 2009:

    why haven’t I thought to go to this charming place?

This entry is filed under LA Culinary Compass, Openings.