Three More Well-Known LA Restaurants Closed For Good This Week

2019 was a big, happy year for restaurant openings in Los Angeles, and an equally sad year for restaurant closures. Places from all corners of the county and beyond closed up shop, sometimes after decades in business, while others like Tartine at the Row made big entrances and abrupt exits all in less than twelve months.

Three more well-known restaurants quietly closed their doors this week, ending 2019 with a farewell note instead of a goodbye. Let’s see who said goodbye.

Maximiliano

Highland Park’s nine-year-old Maximiliano is now closed. Chef Andre Guerrero announced the shutter on social media just before the final night of service on December 31, saying: “I’ve decided to semi-retire. I used to joke that my idea of retiring was working a 40 hour work week and having 2 days off. I will be spending time at The Oinkster and hope to see all of you there.”

Pollen

Two-year-old Pollen in Echo Park has also thrown in the towel. Ownership tells Eater that the economics of running the Echo Park restaurant, formerly Fix Coffee, were simply not sustainable. A note on the front of the restaurant reads: “It is with regret that we must inform you that we will not be re-opening after the holidays. We thank you for your support and friendship and wish you all the best for the new year!”

Doma Kitchen

Eastern European-leaning cafe Doma Kitchen moved to a sunny strip mall space in Marina del Rey back in 2017 after years bouncing around the South Bay, but slowing sales and rising costs have since led ownership to close the restaurant. A tipster first notified Eater that Doma had closed, and ownership confirmed the shutter, adding: “Time to move forward with a heavy heart.”

• Downtown’s ‘Never Closed’ Original Pantry Cafe Shut Down by Health Department [ELA]