'This Is a Reckoning': Michael Cimarusti on Connie & Ted's Closure and the State of Restaurants
Chef Michael Cimarusti’s casual seafood spot Connie & Ted’s will shut its doors on July 1, ending a decade‑long run in West Hollywood. The closure follows a perfect storm of rising labor costs—$20.25 per hour for non‑hotel staff—soaring lobster prices that have tripled since the restaurant opened, and a prolonged sales dip caused by the pandemic, 2023 entertainment strikes and 2025 wildfires. Cimarusti, who also runs three‑star Providence, said the economics of offering “no‑shortcuts” New‑England seafood became unsustainable. The shutdown adds to a wave of mid‑priced L.A. restaurant closures, underscoring a broader industry reckoning.
Michelin Adds 11 L.A.-area Restaurants, Announces the Date of Its 2026 Guide Reveal
Michelin announced 21 new entries for its 2026 California Guide, with 11 restaurants located in the Los Angeles area. The additions range from high‑end omakase venues like Miura and Kojima to the first taqueria, Sonoratown, and several Bib Gourmand and green‑star selections....
Find some of L.A.'s Best New Poke in a Koreatown Parking Lot
Kelsey Sachi Lee, longtime fish supplier to top L.A. chefs, has launched Dover Sole Market, an Instagram‑driven pop‑up that sells premium ahi poke from the back of her car in Koreatown and Sherman Oaks. The venture sources fresh big‑eye ahi...
What's Next From Mexico City's Enrique Olvera? A New Mariscos Restaurant in Venice
Renowned Mexican chef Enrique Olvera is launching San Damián, a modern mariscos restaurant in Venice, California, slated for a June 2026 opening in the former Atla space. The 70‑seat venue will be run by Damián executive chef Chuy Cervantes, extending the Pacific‑coast seafood...
Can You Trademark a 'Bean Club'? Rancho Gordo's Legal Claim Is Dividing the Industry
Rancho Gordo founder Steve Sando trademarked the term “Bean Club” in 2022, securing exclusive rights to the phrase that powers his heirloom‑bean subscription service. The club has grown from a niche market in 2013 to over 30,000 members and a...
L.A.'s Best Rotisserie Chicken May Be at This Former Gas Station in Pasadena
Loli Farms, a former gas‑station turned eatery in Pasadena, has become a hotspot for authentic Peruvian rotisserie chicken, or pollo a la brasa. The restaurant uses a wood‑burning oven that reaches 750 °F and can turn out roughly 48 chickens an...
Can Max & Helen's Ever Be a Laidback Diner? Do We Care when the Waffle Is so Good?
Max & Helen’s, a new‑era diner in Larchmont, opened six months ago under the stewardship of TV personality Phil Rosenthal and chef Nancy Silverton. The venue quickly attracted legendary wait times—up to eight hours—though weekday lunches now average about 45 minutes. Its...
Workers Protest at Carl's Jr. In North Hollywood for Protection From Violent Customers
On Tuesday, about 30 members of the California Fast Food Workers Union and two Carl’s Jr. employees walked out of a North Hollywood location to protest unsafe conditions, including violent customer attacks and lack of paid sick leave. Workers cited multiple...
Chipotle Who? Your Newest Build-Your-Own-Bowl Obsession Just Opened in Carson
Urban Comfort Foods Kitchen opened in Carson, offering a build‑your‑own bowl concept that spotlights African diaspora flavors. Patrons choose from six bases—most popular is jollof rice—and up to 20 toppings, including suya‑spiced beef, jerk chicken, and bourbon sweet potatoes. Founder...
Why a Trailblazing Cheese Store Is Closing in Downtown L.A.
DTLA Cheese Superette, a specialty cheese shop and café founded in 2013, is closing its doors after more than 12 years in downtown Los Angeles. Owners Lydia Clarke and Reed Herrick cite soaring food‑costs, utility bills, and a broader downtown slowdown...
With Masala Steak Frites and Chai Cocktails, an L.A.-favorite Indian Restaurant Evolves in Venice
The Mahendro family opened Badmaash Venice, its first new location in eight years, featuring masala‑spiced steak frites, chai‑infused cocktails and a sustainability‑focused menu. Sushi Samba debuted a rooftop venue in West Hollywood that blends Peruvian, Japanese and Brazilian flavors with high‑end...
L.A.'s New Must-Try Tasting Menu Is Less than $100 at This Tiny French Restaurant
Electric Bleu, a tiny French restaurant in Mar Vista, Los Angeles, has introduced a five‑course tasting menu priced at $79, making fine‑dining more accessible. The menu showcases classic French dishes such as pâté en croûte and steak au poivre, enhanced...
A Surprising and Versatile Pineapple Tart
Michelle Huneven recounts discovering a tart à l’ananas at the Louvre café, noting its delicate buttery crust and caramelized pineapple slices that deliver a bright, tangy burst. She describes the dessert as unforgettable and provides a detailed, adaptable recipe that...
A New York Bagel Fest Rolls Into L.A. to Show the Best of West Coast Innovation
BagelFest founder Sam Silverman expanded his New York‑originated bagel celebration to Los Angeles, drawing over 1,000 attendees to a sold‑out event at the Wilshire Boulevard Temple. The inaugural BagelFest West showcased innovative, culturally‑infused bagel creations from West Coast bakers, with only 16% of...
These Are All the Cookbook Authors You Can See at the L.A. Times Festival of Books
The Los Angeles Times Festival of Books will host a dedicated Food x Now Serving booth on April 18‑19 at USC, featuring a packed schedule of cookbook signings and live cooking demos. Authors such as Joanne Lee Molinaro, Pyet DeSpain, and Arnold Myint will meet readers, while...