Astro Doughnuts & Fried Chicken, the first gourmet doughnut shop in the DC area, is planning to hire half a dozen employees when it opens its retail location near Metro Center at the end of January 2013.
Until then, founder Elliot Spaisman and chef Jason Gehring invite patrons who crave dressed-up doughnuts in a variety of flavors to place catering orders.
“We're operating on a delivery-only basis while our retail location is being built out,” Spaisman states. When it opens, Astro Doughnuts will sell its wares at 1308 G Street NW, inside a former nail salon. The retail location won't have a place to sit indoors, but will have limited outdoor seating. "It will be a 'grab and go' type of place."
Astro's lineup goes way beyond the chocolate-covered and jelly-filled varieties patrons might find at a typical doughnut shop. Chef Gehring's daily selection includes Brooklyn Blackout, Peanut Butter & Jelly, Crème Brulee, Vanilla Glazed, and even a Maple Bacon concoction. In addition to the daily five, a selection of five rotating doughnut flavors are available throughout the week. The Twink-nut, with "golden vanilla cake, buttercream filling, and vanilla glaze," pays homage to the Hostess confection that recently departed grocery store shelves.
Spaisman comes to the food service industry after 12 years in the antiques business. Although it's not an intuitive transition, "I've always had an interest in food,” he explains. "The opportunity came and I jumped.”
“Jumping” meant reconnecting with Jeff Halpern, a childhood friend and current NHL player who is fulfilling the role of partner for Astro Doughnuts. It also meant finding Gehring, who most recently oversaw the pastry program at Fiola.
And what of the chicken? He laughs. “We might launch chicken for catering after January. It's really good. We'll have a main dish—something seasonal—and one or two sides per day.”