Westport's Finalmente Trattoria To Close

WESTPORT, CT — Finalmente Trattoria, located at 165 Post Road East in Westport, will close on Monday after 19 years, another casualty in the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic, according to owners Andre and Mary Iodice.

"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," they wrote in a community letter obtained by Patch. "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."

As a result, Andre has decided to retire, and the Iodices thanked their customers for the all the support over the years.

Andre grew up in Isola Di Ponza, Italy, where he learned about cuisine from his family's restaurant, and his first job in the United States in the culinary industry was in the 1970s at a small butcher shop in the Bronx, New York.

There, over a five-year span, he learned about properly preparing and cutting all types of meats, a skill he turned to throughout his career.

The Iodices met at a restaurant in Norwalk more than 20 years ago, and turned Finalmente Trattoria into a family run business.

The restaurant not only served delicious food, but also hosted weddings and special events over the past two decades.

"While we may be closing our doors as of May 13th, the memories created, and the connections formed at Finalmente Trattoria will forever hold a special place in our hearts," the two said. "We thank you from the bottom of our hearts for being a part of our journey, and we look forward to carrying these memories with us as we embark on new adventures."

They added, "We are immensely grateful for the unwavering support and loyalty shown by the Westport community and surrounding towns throughout the years. The memories created and the friendships formed have been the heart and soul of Finalmente Trattoria. Your patronage has been the lifeblood of our restaurant, and we are profoundly thankful for every moment shared with you."

Read the full announcement below:

Dear our community,

It's with a mix of emotions that we share the news of Finalmente Trattoria's closure after 19 remarkable years. Andre's decision to retire brings an end to a chapter filled with cherished memories and lasting connections.

We are immensely grateful for the unwavering support and loyalty shown by the Westport community and surrounding towns throughout the years. The memories created and the friendships formed have been the heart and soul of Finalmente Trattoria. Your patronage has been the lifeblood of our restaurant, and we are profoundly thankful for every moment shared with you. Whether you joined us for a special celebration, a quiet meal with loved ones, or simply to savor our culinary creations, your presence has enriched our lives in countless ways.

We also want to extend our heartfelt gratitude to our dedicated team whose hard work and commitment have been invaluable. Their contributions and loyalty have been instrumental in making Finalmente Trattoria a special place for all who walked through our doors.

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. 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. After careful consideration, we have come to the difficult decision that we will be working with our landlord to navigate the changes and sign a new tenant to take over the space.

While we may be closing our doors as of May 13th, the memories created, and the connections formed at Finalmente Trattoria will forever hold a special place in our hearts. We thank you from the bottom of our hearts for being a part of our journey, and we look forward to carrying these memories with us as we embark on new adventures.

With heartfelt gratitude,
Andre & Mary Iodice
Finalmente Trattoria
165 Post Road East
Westport, CT 06880