DC’s Popular Astro Doughnuts Closes All LA Locations Overnight

In a swift move, Astro Doughnuts, which hailed from Washington D.C., has decided to close up its two Southern California shops in Downtown LA and Santa Monica, as well as its roving food truck. The donut and fried chicken shop had prime locations in Downtown’s Financial District and Main Street Santa Monica, but couldn’t earn the same dedicated fanbase it enjoys in the nation’s capitol. Astro Doughnuts first opened in Downtown to much fanfare in July 2017, expanding to Santa Monica in 2018. The shop made the announcement yesterday on Instagram without too much warning.

In other news:

— It looks like after multiple attempts to revive the restaurant, Makani in Venice is closed again, though Yelp reports it as a temporary closure with a scheduled reopening on April 1.

— El Ruso gets the ‘highly recommended’ endorsement from Bon Appetit. Here’s the conclusion: “We ate in blissful silence, soaking up the L.A. sun and some dribbling meat juices. Second lunch at El Ruso truly does wonders.”

— One of Highland Park’s longest serving street vendors has decided to retire after 23 years, reports L.A. Taco. Apparently the new residents of Highland Park just weren’t as interested in his corn, says elotero Andres Santos.

— Everytable has opened an affordable food pantry serving prepared meals at low prices to Santa Monica College students, reports Santa Monica Daily Press.

— One of New York City’s favorite celebrity Italian restaurants, Via Quadronno, is opening in the former Chez Mimi space in Santa Monica with design coming from Marmol Radziner. [Toddrickallen]

— Time Out has a report on Lost Spirits Distillery’s wild weekend tasting menu called Fish or Flesh that costs $240 a person, but includes a distillery tour and full dinner. The opulent, over-the-top experience takes inspiration from The Island of Doctor Moreau. Fascinating.

— LAist has a lengthy response on why Curry House’s closure in Los Angeles was so heartbreaking.

— LA Times critic Bill Addison has a short look at Monterey Park’s Zhou’s Guilin Rice Noodle, which the reviewer calls, “a gratifying addition to your SGV dining itineraries.”

— Joe Coulombe, the founder of Trader Joe’s, died at the age of 89. The iconic grocery first opened in Pasadena in 1967.