Iconic LA seafood restaurant Connie & Ted’s shutters after 13 years

Connie & Ted’s, a West Hollywood seafood restaurant specializing in New England-style dishes, will close permanently on July 1 after 13 years in operation. The restaurant, founded in 2013 by Chef Michael Cimarusti alongside Donato Poto and Crisi Echiverri, became a local favorite for its buttery lobster rolls, oyster platters, chowders, and seafood spreads. The closure was announced on Instagram, with the owners attributing the decision to a combination of pandemic fallout, rising operational costs, and the broader challenges of running a restaurant in Los Angeles. In a statement to Eater Los Angeles, Cimarusti, Poto, and Echiverri explained that despite their best efforts, the economic realities made continuing unsustainable. Connie & Ted’s was initially positioned as a more casual counterpart to Cimarusti’s three-Michelin-starred fine-dining seafood spot, Providence, in Hollywood. Its nautical-themed interior and Santa Monica Boulevard location made it a staple in West Hollywood’s dining scene, attracting Hollywood executives and East Coast transplants alike. Fans expressed disappointment online, with many praising the restaurant’s commitment to quality ingredients and service. Some blamed LA’s high lease costs and economic pressures for the closure, while others suggested the restaurant’s menu prices, including a $39 lobster roll, may have contributed to its struggles. The announcement adds to a recent wave of restaurant closures in Los Angeles, highlighting the financial challenges faced by many eateries in the city.