Mountain View News Saturday, July 11, 2026 88 FOOD & DRINK Mountain View News Saturday, July 11, 2026 88 FOOD & DRINK 
Peter A. Dills 
L.A.’s King of Cuisine

https://
podlink/1116885432 


This week we travel just a fewmiles outside Pasadena to 
charming Monrovia, where 
Café Mundial has quietly beena fixture on Myrtle Avenue fordecades. 

What does "Mundial" mean? 
Worldly? Global? I'm not exactlysure, and I'll leave that debate to 
someone else. What I do know 
is Café Mundial has become partof Monrovia's identity. It's one ofthose independent restaurantsthat has earned the loyalty ofgenerations of local diners. 

I'll admit it—breakfast usually isn't at the top of my dining list.
Lately, my "research" has centered around cheeseburgers. In fact,
Café Mundial's Jack Daniel Burger remains one of my favoritesanywhere in the San Gabriel Valley. But this visit was all aboutbreakfast, thanks to a little encouragement from my friend DonnaBaker of JohnHart Real Estate. Donna also serves as President of 
the Monrovia Chamber of Commerce, and when she tells me a 
breakfast spot deserves another visit, I pay attention.
Walking through the front door reminded me why I enjoy 

CAFÉ MUNDIAL STILL GETS IT RIGHT 

this restaurant. The walls tell the story of the community withphotographs and memories collected over many years. Nothingfeels manufactured. It's simply a neighborhood restaurant that 
has grown alongside the city it serves. 

On a previous visit, I had made one small suggestion to ownerJohn. I mentioned that Caesar salad croutons are much better 
when they're tossed with the dressing instead of simply sitting ontop. To my surprise, he listened. It's a small touch, but restaurantsare often judged by the little things. Details matter.
For breakfast, Donna ordered the Eggs Benedict, while I chosesunny-side-up eggs with all the traditional accompaniments.
Everything arrived exactly as ordered. No unnecessary twists, 
no oversized portions designed for social media—just honest,
well-prepared food served by people who seem genuinely happyyou're there.
Brunch has become a popular addition to Café Mundial's menu,
and after this visit I can understand why. Whether you're meetingfriends, entertaining family, or just looking for a relaxed weekendmeal, it fits the occasion nicely. 

One feature sports fans will appreciate is the television at the bar.
If there's a Dodgers game, golf tournament, or another sportingevent on, you won't have to choose between breakfast and thescore. It's a nice bonus without overwhelming the dining room.
I also learned the restaurant offers senior discounts on select 

evenings, another example of Café Mundial giving back to itsloyal local customers. Just ask your server for the details.
Service throughout our visit was warm, friendly, and attentive.
Nobody rushed us, our coffee cups stayed full, and we were madeto feel like regulars—even if it had been a while since my last visit. 

One of my readers recently reminded me not to overlook CaféMundial's dinner menu. He highly recommended the filetmignon with peppercorn sauce along with the calamari and \
Brussels sprouts, proving this neighborhood favorite is muchmore than simply a breakfast destination.
In an era when restaurants often chase the latest trends, Café 
Mundial continues doing what it has always done: servingdependable food, providing friendly service, and remainingan important part of the Monrovia community. Sometimesconsistency is exactly what keeps customers coming back. 

Did I miss your favorite neighborhood breakfast spot? Let meknow. I always enjoy hearing your recommendations. 

Café Mundial 
514 S. Myrtle AvenueMonrovia, CA 91016(626) 303-2233Miss a spot? Follow me on facebook there’s always room for 
more friends 

THE TASTING ROOM- A 
REFRESHING CHILLED RED WINE 
FOR THE SUMMER 
I’m Gustavo Lira, Tasting Room Manager and 
Wine Buyer at The Bottle Shop in Sierra Madrewith another wine and spirits selection. 
Who says you can’tenjoy red wine inthe summer? I don’t 
say that! Here’s aprime example of 
a red wine that you 
can enjoy duringthe summer heat – 
Mas de Janiny “LeTemps des Gitans.” 
Translated it means 
the Time of the 
Gypsies. This is adelicious, fruity (notsweet), refreshing,
juicy red wine that 
you served chilled. Some people in the wine business call this a“porch pounder” – the French call it “glou glou” which is the soundthat is made when one is chugging a wine that is so good you want to drink it out of the bottle! 
This wine isn’t just a fun-drinking wine, it’s got cred. Mas de Janiny was founded by two brothers,
Thierry and Pascal Julien, in the Languedoc-Roussillon region of France. They farm organically,
they utilize Merino d’Arles sheep, a breed renowned for the exceptional quality of its wool.
Throughout the winter, they graze freely in the vineyards. This practice allows the soil to benaturally fertilized. It reduces tractor use and helps prevent soil compaction and erosion. 
The wine is 100% Carignan and undergoes carbonic maceration which produces a wine that islight, fresh, fruit forward, and vibrant. There are hardly any tannins in this wine which makes itvery quaffable. Cherry, raspberry, and white pepper notes make this a quite enjoyable wine. Youmust chill this wine before you pop it open. This will become your summer red wine. It’s thatgood! 
You can’t get this wine anywhere around here but at The Bottle Shop. The 2024 Mas de Janiny “LeTemps des Gitans” is priced at $19.99. Buy two or more and get the special price of $18.00 perbottle. Special price is good through Tuesday, July 14th. 
Have a glou glou good weekend! 
Until next time – Salud! 
Mountain Views News 80 W Sierra Madre Blvd. No. 327 Sierra Madre, Ca. 91024 Office: 626.355.2737 Fax: 626.609.3285 Email: editor@mtnviewsnews.com Website: www.mtnviewsnews.com