A beloved seafood spot that brought East Coast flavors to the city is getting ready to close its doors wrapping up more than 10 years of history. It’s the end of a place that quietly became a go-to for simple, well-made meals.
West Hollywood seafood spot Connie & Ted’s will close on July 1, ending a 13-year run in the neighborhood. The restaurant shared the news on May 13 via Instagram, thanking guests for more than a decade of support.
Chef Michael Cimarusti of the three-Michelin-starred Providence launched Connie & Ted’s in 2013 alongside co-owners Donato Poto and Crisi Echiverri. Drawing inspiration from his Rhode Island upbringing and his grandparents, Connie and Ted, the restaurant made an immediate splash with lobster rolls, oysters Rockefeller, and a wide-ranging raw bar.
Known for its wave-like roof and East Coast–leaning menu, Connie & Ted’s quickly became a West Hollywood favorite and has long been regarded as one of L.A. ‘s standout casual seafood destinations.
The current menu includes Rhode Island–style crab cakes, a fried clam basket, grilled catch of the day, and a Maine lobster roll served either hot with drawn butter or cold with mayonnaise.
In a statement to Eater Los Angeles, Cimarusti, Poto, and Echiverri said the closure comes after what they described as overwhelming challenges facing the hospitality industry, including the long recovery from operating at limited capacity during the pandemic and rising labor and food costs. They added that they tried to keep the restaurant going for as long as possible, but ultimately reached a point where continuing was no longer viable.
