New Owner To Reopen Westport's Finalmente Trattoria

WESTPORT, CT — A Milford restaurateur is planning to reopen Westport's Finalmente Trattoria, a popular Italian restaurant that closed in May 2024 after 19 years.

Giuseppe Cinque, who owns Strada Trattoria in Milford, plans to reopen Finalmente Trattoria this month, "with a refreshed look, an updated kitchen, and the same dedication to authentic Italian regional cuisine," he said in an email to Patch. The exact opening date has not yet been determined.

"This restaurant is a perfect fit for my culinary vision, and I am eager to reintroduce it to the local community," Cinque said.

When the restaurant's previous owners, Andre and Mary Iodice, closed the spot in 2024, they cited the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic as the reason.

"Unfortunately, the challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic have been significant, with rising costs and staffing shortages making it increasingly difficult to sustain our operations," the Iodices wrote in a community letter at the time. "While we have poured our hearts and souls into creating a welcoming space and crafting delectable dishes, the challenges of the past years have proven insurmountable."

Having been friends with the Iodices for years, when they decided to close the restaurant, Cinque saw an opportunity and bought it from them, CT Insider reported.

Cinque moved to Connecticut from Italy in 1999, and has owned and managed other restaurants in lower Fairfield County along the way.

"With Finalmente’s reopening, my goal is to continue providing an exceptional dining experience that celebrates Italy’s rich culinary traditions," he told Patch.