Connie and Ted's — Restaurant in West Hollywood

Connie and Ted's is a culinary gem nestled in the vibrant heart of West Hollywood, and it has quickly become my go-to destination for exceptional seafood. From the moment you step foot inside, you are enveloped in a warm and inviting atmosphere that instantly sets the stage for an unforgettable dining experience.

Let's start with the food. The fish and chips at Connie and Ted's are absolutely divine. The delicate, flaky fish is perfectly encased in a crispy golden batter, providing a delightful crunch with each bite. Paired with the accompanying tangy tartar sauce and a side of hand-cut fries, it is an absolute treat for the taste buds.

The chowder sampler is a must-try for any seafood enthusiast. With each spoonful, you embark on a journey through the flavors of the sea. From the rich and velvety New England clam chowder to the robust and smoky Manhattan clam chowder, every variety is crafted with utmost care and attention to detail. Each spoonful is a comforting, soul-nourishing experience.

The half dozen oysters at Connie and Ted's are a testament to their commitment to serving the freshest and finest seafood. Every plump and briny bivalve is meticulously shucked, allowing you to savor the oceanic essence in every bite. Served with a selection of zesty mignonettes and a squeeze of fresh lemon, these oysters are a true indulgence.

Now, let's talk about the true soul of Connie and Ted's – General Manager Matthew. Matthew is an absolute delight and the epitome of hospitality. From the moment you walk in, he greets you with a warm smile and a genuine enthusiasm for making you feel at home. His attentiveness to every detail ensures that your dining experience is nothing short of exceptional. Matthew's passion for his craft shines through in every interaction, making each visit to Connie and Ted's a memorable one.

The overall ambiance of Connie and Ted's is cozy, relaxed, and inviting. The nautical-themed decor, with its subtle touches of coastal charm, transports you to the shores of New England. The attentive and friendly staff further enhance the dining experience, ensuring that you are well taken care of from the moment you enter until the moment you leave.

In conclusion, Connie and Ted's is a seafood lover's paradise that never fails to impress. With its delectable fish and chips, tantalizing chowder sampler, and exquisite oysters, it satisfies even the most discerning palates. And with General Manager Matthew leading the charge, you can expect nothing less than exceptional service and a warm, welcoming atmosphere. I am already counting down the days until I can return to Connie and Ted's for another unforgettable...

Connie and Ted's is simply marvelous!

I love everything about this place. The food. Service. Ambiance. Design. It really makes you feel like you're in New England with a touch of the West Coast!

We had reservations for Mother's Day and arrived about 15 minutes before our time but we were seated right away.

We started with the halibut crudo. WOW. The fish was cut perfectly and the plate was beautifully decorated. And the quality of the fish was amazing. So soft that it literally pulled apart with the gentle tug of the fork. The fish was soft, light, and the pickles and citrus notes on top made the perfect pairing.

Now for the main dishes. The fish sandwich was simple yet perfectly executed. The brioche was light and fluffy. The coleslaw was crunchy. And that fish was so perfectly fried, the batter was light yet so crunchy and stayed crunchy while eating the entire sandwich. Fries were fried to perfection, crispy, crunchy, lightly salted, and tasted just like fries should!

The shrimp chilaquiles are seriously some of the best you'll have in LA. Those chips stayed crunchy the entire time we ate through this dish! And the sauce had a robust, spicy, savory kick. It was cheesy and the shrimp were perfectly cooked. And those gorgeous yolked eggs on top were the perfect kiss.

Now the Lobster Croque Connie. Oh my. It might be easy to think "let's just throw some lobster into a croque monsieur" oh no no . . . we gotta make it Connie and Ted style! The toast was light but so crispy and held it's shape to soak up all the sauce. The lobster I think was just ever so slightly overcooked, like 30 seconds, but it did not ruin the dish at all. It was still soft and so sweet. Gruyere cheese for the perfect richness and that figaro sauce - basically a tomato hollandaise - was nuts. Not only did I run my croque through it with every bite, I used the french fries from the fish sandwich to dip it in the sauce too!

The best part - desserts!

The key lime pie was ON POINT. The crust was dense, rich, toasty, and oh so good. The key lime filling had pieces of lime - outstanding - it was smooth, tart, creamy, delicious. And that merengue - you know they toasted it to order because it was still warm when it arrived! I love that! Light, sweet, airy, amazing.

And that newly made special Orange Creamsicle Ice cream? Wow. Creamy rich ice cream, decadent caramel, tart orange and kumquats, and candied walnuts. The best sundae ever.

I definitely need to...

The food was delicious. The desserts...incredible. The staff can use some training. We were told that our food was taking a long time because the steaks were so thick. The steaks were all ordered rare as possible, so that was a creative excuse laced with absurdity. We were so busy discussing the R. Kelly documentary, we wouldn’t have noticed we didn’t have our food for a while. When the 4 steaks and 2 fish dishes arrived we were stoked. Everything looked so good. They put this little chunk of seasoned butter on the steak. Two of the guys at our table asked for more butter. They brought us about 2 tablespoons worth, and then we requested more. This is where the evening took a bizarre turn. Our table was approached by someone who was not our server. This woman informed us that if we wanted more butter that it was going to be extra. We were told that it’s “special butter”. Oddly they didn’t mention this to us the first time that we requested it, so we were quite shocked when this stranger appeared to inform us. I’m still confused as to why our server didn’t just relay that information to us herself. We had a good laugh about all this. In a way it was the highlight of our evening...the ridiculousness of it. The 4 steaks were bomb, the scallops...bomb....24 oysters...bomb....rockfish....bomb....oh my god the blondie was bomb....that lemon sorbet....bomb. Stingy with the butter though. I don’t get it. On my way out I asked the woman who informed us about the butter (she was standing near the host stand) how much it would have cost for the extra butter and she told me she didn’t know and she’d have to ask the cooks. INSANE! I would have given them 5 stars if not for the weird steak lie and the slap dash butter policy. Shout out to the cooks and their secret...