Connie and Ted's Restaurant
West Hollywood, CA
Completed: 2015
Client/Owner: Michael Cimarusti, Craig Nikoloff, Donato Poto
Credits
Architecture and Interior Design:
Douglas Pierson (as partner with (fer) studio)
Justin Williams
Linda Fu
Structural Engineer: John Labib & Associates
MEP: Shamim Engineering
Contractor: Calasia
Photography: Noe Montes
Project Description
Chef Michael Cimarusti founded the award-winning L.A. restaurant “Providence” with co-owner and general manager Donato Poto, who approach seafood with uncompromising respect and sophisticated preparation techniques.
So when they said they envisioned their new enterprise, Connie & Ted’s, as a New England-style “clam shack,” we knew they didn’t really want a low-ceilinged, clapboard box with picnic tables inside and little sliding windows for dolling out fried clams in plastic baskets. They wanted a cool, casual eatery inspired by the classic clam shacks that dot the New England Seaboard and the Western Coast without the kitsch.
An adaptive re-use project, the restaurant’s modern architectural design references the fishing and boating culture without imitating it. For example: custom built-in cabinets, wall panels, tables, flooring, and wine storage all feature the same fine joinery and wood finishes you’d find in a Chris-Craft boat.
The most dramatic element of the restaurant’s design – the arching roof that extends over the outdoor patio – suggests a sail. The hand-crafted wooden underside of the “sail” is another reference to fine boat building. Large red “boats” suspended above the elevated porch contain gas heating elements and LED lighting.
From the porch, a curving glass wall allows arriving patrons to view the restaurant’s bustling interior. Inside, through a pivoting glass door, the interior design includes a high-ceilinged atrium and small windows – or “gills” – that allow natural light to fill the space by day and accommodate all air filtration in the space.
Instead of a column to hold up the end of this high space, we opted for a deep transfer beam. This made it possible to have an uninterrupted view from one side to the other, maintaining the urban vibe of Santa Monica Boulevard in an intimate, relaxed atmosphere.
Press
Publisher: Los Angeles Times | Food
Title: “Johnathan Gold Restaurant Review: Connie & Ted’s in West Hollywood” - Date: 08/22/13
Publisher: Los Angeles Times
Title: “Construction to Start Soon on Connie & Ted’s”
Daily Dish - Date: 05/03/12
Publisher: LA Weekly
Title: “10 Best Seafood Restaurants in Los Angeles”
Date: 03/29/13
Publisher: LA Weekly
Title: “Best of LA: 10 Best Seafood Restaurants in Los Angeles”
Date: 03/29/12
Publisher: Departures
Title: “Where to Eat and Drink In The New Year”
Date: 01/04/13
Publisher: Form Magazine
Title: “Bringing a Dash of New England to West Hollywood”
Date: 09/25/13
Publisher: Food & Wine (Blog)
Title: “2013 Restaurant Preview: Biggest Trends, Openings and Recipes”
Date: 01/01/13
Publisher: Curbed LA
Title: “WEHO’s Futuristic Seafood Shack, Rao’s Finds Hollywood Location”
Date: 02/21/13
Publisher: WEHOville
Title: “Connie and Ted’s: Should You Believe the Hype?”
Date: 06/24/13
Publisher: Urban Daddy
Title: “Better off Ted’s – Now in WeHo: Michael Cimarusti’s Seafood”
Date: 05//30/13
Publisher: Maine Squeeze
Title: “Lobster Time at Connie and Ted’s”
Date: 07/01/13
Publisher: Blackbook
Title: “Next Week’s L.A. Happenings: Connie & Ted’, Robert Zemeckis, & Spago’s New Bar Menu”
Date: 06/14/2013
Publisher: Frontiers LA
Title: “Buy Land! They’re Not Making It Anymore”
Date: 9/11/12
Publisher: Zagat
Title: “First Look: Connie and Ted’s Swims Into West Hollywood”
Date: 06/11/13
Publisher: Visit West Hollywood
Title: “Connie and Ted’s Opens with a Big Splash”
Date: 06/11/13
Publisher: LA Mag
Title: “Day One; Michael Cimarusti’s Connie & Ted’s”
Date: 6/05/2013
Publisher: WEHOville
Title: “Check Out the Crazy Canopy at Connie & Ted’s”
Date: 02/21/13
Publisher: Eater LA
Title: “A Grand Reveal Inside Connie & Ted’s”
Date: 05/30/13
Publisher: Easter LA
Title: “Connie & Ted’s Looks Loke a Seafood Shack of the Future”
Date: 02/21/13
Publisher: Easter LA
Title: “The 40 Most Anticipated Restaurant Openings of 2013”
Date: 01/04/13
Publisher: Easter LA
Title: “Silver Spoon Gonzo, Connie & Ted’s Finally Underway”
Date: 06/11/12
Publisher: Easter LA
Title: “LA’s 12 Most Anticipated Restaurant Openings in 2012”
Date: 05/04/12
Publisher: Eater LA
Title: “Connie & Ted’s: A Casual Seafood Spot in Weho”
Date: 03/02/12
Publisher: Eater LA
Title: Michael Cimarusti & Craig Nickoloff Buy WeHo’s Silver SpoonProject: Connie & Ted’s
Date: 09/12/11
Publisher: Chow
Title: “Early Report: Connie and Ted’s Hits West Hollywood”
Date: 06/11/13
Publisher: Today Show Blog
Title: “More Chicken, Please! 8 Tasty Restaurant Trends for 2013”
Date: 12/31/13
Publisher: Zagat
Title: “Coming Soon: Michael Cimarusti’s Connie & Ted’s”
Date: 12/12/2012
Publisher: Grub Street – Los Angeles
Title: “Cimarusti Previews Dishes from Upcoming Connie & Ted’s”
Date: 03/29/12
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