You may have noticed a new name on Larchmont. Formerly Groundwork Coffee, owner Josh Pourgol, has rebranded as Bardonna, in the same location at 139 N. Larchmont.
We caught up with Pourgol the other day, and he told us the move away from being a licensee of Groundwork Coffee was driven by his desire to have more flexibility with the food and coffee menu at his Larchmont location. Pourgol started on Montana Avenue and will soon have four locations, including Larchmont and adding Brentwood and Silver Lake.
Pourgol said his new coffee supplier, Klatch Coffee, an award-winning organic brand, is a better fit allowing, him to make his own syrups and sauces to compliment the coffees. Klatch is a twenty year-old family-owned wholesaler, based in the Inland Empire, which has gained recognition over the years for its organic coffee. It was recently named America’s best cold brew, according to Pourgol.
Bardonna now has an expanded food menu, offering all-day eating in what Pourgol hopes is a comfortable but casual setting with great service. While there are only four small tables inside, there’s plenty of seating on the outdoor patio in the back of the restaurant, all conforming to Larchmont’s “Q” conditions governing uses on the street.
Pourgol told us “Bardonna” is a riff on “coffee bar” plus his wife’s nickname.
And the bright, flashing sign?
“It was just our way of being festive for the holidays,” mused Pourgol. “Eventually it will just be on all the time, like Sweet Fin.”
Groundwork fans are not out of luck, however. You’ll soon be able to find another outpost across the street. Pourgol said Groundwork has leased 150 N. Larchmont and is likely to open there sometime in 2017.
