Bacio di Latte brings a taste of Italy to Larchmont

By Casey Russell

At the end of April, Larchmont Boulevard will get a little taste of Italy in the form of authentic Italian gelato. Bacio di Latte’s owners signed a lease for the spot at 141 1/2 N. Larchmont Blvd. in March of 2020. Just weeks later, COVID-19 hit. Needless to say, the team is very excited that its vision is finally becoming a reality.

NEIGHBORHOOD GRILL BY POST & BEAM, the new restaurant at the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, was welcomed March 15th by, from left in front, City Councilmember Marqueece Harris-Dawson, County Supervisor Holly Mitchell, NHM President and Director Dr. Lori Bettison-Varga and Assemblymember Reggie Jones-Sawyer and, in back, South La Café founders and new NHM food service managers Joe and Celia Ward-Wallace, Chef John Cleveland and Roni Cleveland (who are operating the museum’s new casual concept restaurant) and City Councilmember Curren D. Price Jr.

Holey Grail Donuts opens its taro-based treats shop on Blvd.

By Helene Seifer

Larchmontians queued up on Saturday, March 11 for the official launch of Holey Grail Donuts. Despite drizzly weather, patrons enjoyed tunes spun by DJ Blk Soap outside the shop and sampled tiny cups of rich Hawaiian cacao chocolate milk, one of many cold and hot beverages available, while they perused the fried-to-order $4 taro dough donut selection, which included such flavors as passionfruit, cardamom and saffron snickerdoodle.

Holy Grail Donuts was started by siblings Nile and Hana Dreiling in 2018. The Larchmont Boulevard store is their second in the Southland.

Holey Grail Donuts, 148 N. Larchmont Blvd.

We talked with Max Olper, cousin of owners Edoardo and Luigi Tonolli. Olper joined the business several years ago. He has been actively working to get the inside of this new location ready for the past three months.

“We always loved Larchmont,” said Olper. “It’s very difficult, in Los Angeles, to find a street where you can walk. Larchmont is one of those where there’s a European vibe. It’s such a charming street and the neighborhood is amazing.”

This reporter got a sneak peek at the interior of the store. It is light and clean, with shelves reminiscent of an inviting Italian kitchen. The line to order will take customers past tantalizing flavors in swirled mounds tempting them from within the display case. And, through a glass window further back, visitors will be able to see the gelato-making process in action.

When asked about sharing the street with two ice cream shops, Olper said, “We love love Jeni’s and Salt and Straw. I believe we can happily co-exist because our products are different. Ours is more European, so we have a certain type of flavor. Gelato is kind of a light version of indulgent.”

Every 20 days, and also seasonally, Bacio di Latte will launch a new flavor. The gelato will be made fresh daily, and the team prides itself on using organic milk, cream and sugar, as well as fresh fruits.

Ba ck Yard

109 Fremont Pl., Los Angeles, CA 90005 | $7,500,000

Coming Soon

A park-like gated community with 24 hr. security guard. Step inside to a stunning 2 -story entry. Exceptionally elegant and charming home on a nearly 1 - acre corner lot located in the middle of the west side street. Extraordinary provenance abounds in this truly special, architecturally designed beauty! Offers warm woods, hardwood floors, large marble fireplaces in the living room, family room and upstairs bedroom, and natural light throughout from an expanse of French doors and windows. The gourmet kitchen has stone floors, marble countertops, coffered ceilings, beveled stained glass windows, with built -in subzero refrigerator, microwave oven, double oven, double dishwashers, double clay sinks and coffee station. The kitchen door leads to the side back yard with built -in BBQ, limestone fireplace and limestone table which seats 12. 3 kingsize master bedroom suites with en -suite full bathrooms, and a library room upstairs. French doors from the second floor and master open to a terrace with circular stairs down to a second patio and lush backyard. The maid's room/office has a bathroom and shower. Laundry inside, breakfast room, dining room, family room leading to the beautiful and expansive backyard with mature trees and swimming pool with jetted spa. Guest house over the garage. Parking spaces available for nearly 20 cars on the private street owned by the subject property.

With the many flavors that will be available, this reporter wondered about tasters. Oh yes. “Tasters are available — no limits,” said a smiling Olper. “Very important — part of the experience.”

The store will be open every day, and plans are for opening hours to be earlier than might be expected. Larchmont seems to be an “early-bird community,” said Olper. “We will have some espressos, coffee, cappuccino, affogato (a gelato that comes with espresso) — not a big menu,” but a bit of Italy for more than one type of taste bud.