For a year, I had thought that the restaurant sandwiched between the UNMIL outpost, and the Spriggs Payne Airport was no more.  Somewhere, the rumor had reached me that the establishment was a casualty of the Ebola crisis.  Thanks, however, to the invitation of an aviation executive (the most distinguished of any of my dining companions since I’ve initiated these reviews), I discovered that I had been misinformed.

L’Avion customers are greeted by an unassuming exterior and a series of doors without handles, knobs, or any form of protrusion whatsoever.  Inside, however, is a nicely composed dining area, complete with an antique American poster noting that “beer will change the world.”  A large screen TV was initially broadcasting Nigerian movies, but I suspect for my benefit, this was quickly changed to CNN.

The entrance of L’Avion restaurant. Photo: Brooks Marmon

The food portion of the menu was rather limited: a handful of sandwiches/burgers, salads, chicken dishes, and a daily special, a rotating African dish.  The sandwiches and salads were quite reasonably priced, in the $7-8 and $10 range, respectively.  The African dishes, which presumably came with a significant amount of meat, were the most expensive, at around $12.

While the number of food items available was relatively modest, the drinks menu was substantial, perhaps befitting an establishment near Old Folks and the epicenter of Monrovia’s seedier nightlife.  Wine, shots – $125 for a bottle of Hennessy – and a range of cocktails were on tap.  Options for a discerning customer included a Long Island Iced Tea, margarita, mojito, Sex on the Beach, and a “White Lady.”

The aviation executive and I kept it simple, however, with bottled water and soft drink, respectively.  The executive desired a salad; unfortunately, L’Avion was out of the chicken variety.  I was tempted to see if the shrimp salad was available but ultimately settled on the club sandwich — an item I know to be a favorite of The Bush Chicken’s CEO — with the aviation executive following suit.

The interior of L’Avion Restaurant. Photo: Brooks Marmon

Following a reasonable waiting period, the club sandwiches were served, each composed of four wedges accompanied by a modest portion of fries. The fries were piping hot, a much-appreciated flourish.  The club sandwich had aspirations of understated elegance.  It certainly eviscerated the much meatier but not nearly as delicious club sandwich I had a few weeks ago at the Royal Grand Hotel.

Slices of American cheese were gently melted, colluding with the fried egg to form a golden, crispy, gooey canopy with a bifurcated texture.  The ham — there was no bacon or grilled chicken — seemed of decent quality though it was sliced more thinly than I would have preferred.  The real treat, however, was a refreshing and soothing sensation that accompanied each bite.

This unexpected cooling sensation was due to the generous slices of cucumber astride a perfect application of what my palate presumed to be mayonnaise laced with garlic salt.  While there was nothing remarkable about the sandwich, it was quite tasty, much more so than I expected.

L’avion staff were also quite accommodating, allowing me to divert some of their electricity to my laptop and work for several hours.  Overall, the atmosphere at L’Avion was relaxed (if only because there were no other customers) and I would give it a solid recommendation as a spot for a business lunch.

Featured photo by Brooks Marmon