Seafood Destination Connie & Ted's Will Close After More Than a Decade in West Hollywood

"The restaurant announced its closure on May 13 in an Instagram post, thanking guests for their support over the past decade-plus. Chef Michael Cimarusti of three-Michelin-starred Providence opened Connie & Ted's in 2013 with co-owners Donato Poto and Crisi Echiverri. Inspired by Cimarusti's Rhode Island roots and his grandparents, Connie and Ted, the restaurant sprang onto the scene with lobster rolls, oysters Rockefeller, and an expansive raw bar."

"In a statement to Eater Los Angeles, Cimarusti, Poto, and Echiverri attribute the closure to "overwhelming" challenges the hospitality industry is facing, including ongoing recovery from operating at limited capacity during the pandemic and rising costs of labor and goods. "We held on as long as we could, doing everything possible to navigate these challenges, but ultimately, we have reached a point where continuing forward is untenable," the statement reads."

"Cimarusti, Poto, and Echiverri hope fans of Connie & Ted's will come by for one last seafood feast before its last days. "We are incredibly proud of what Connie and Ted's has been-a gathering place for our community, a celebration of seafood traditions, and a home for so many meaningful moments," they write in the statement. "None of it would have been possible without you-your loyalty, your enthusiasm, and your support over the years have meant more to us than we can fully express.""

Connie & Ted's, a West Hollywood seafood restaurant, will close on July 1, 2026 after 13 years. The closure was announced May 13 with thanks to guests for their support. Chef Michael Cimarusti opened the restaurant in 2013 with co-owners Donato Poto and Crisi Echiverri, drawing on Rhode Island roots and family inspiration. The menu features East Coast seafood favorites such as lobster rolls, oysters Rockefeller, a raw bar, Rhode Island-style crab cakes, fried clam baskets, grilled catch of the day, and Maine lobster rolls served with drawn butter or mayonnaise. The owners cite overwhelming hospitality industry challenges, including pandemic recovery from limited capacity and rising labor and goods costs. They encourage guests to visit for a final seafood meal and express pride in the restaurant as a community gathering place.

Read at Eater LA