NEW : Coni'Seafood

South Hermosa welcomes an Inglewood institution

The Epicureview by Peter The Eater - Coni'Seafood has opened in the old Encanto restaurant space on Hermosa Ave, bringing Nayarit-style Mexican seafood to the neighborhood. It's a welcome addition to the rapidly shifting Hermosa food scene, offering something different with its focus on regional specialties from Mexico's Pacific coast. We paid a visit last weekend (just a couple of days after it opened) to see whether it can live up to its Inglewood reputation.

The Story Behind Coni's Seafood

What began in 1987 in the backyard of a modest Inglewood home has grown into a small local chain. Founder Vicente "Chente" Cossio brought the flavors of Acaponeta, Nayarit to Los Angeles, starting what was originally called Mariscos Chente, eventually passing it to his daughter Connie Cossio (apparently now married to "Dog Whisperer" Cesar Millan. Does that make Connie the Shrimp Whisperer ?) This Hermosa location joins existing spots in Inglewood and Del Rey. The original Inglewood location earned a Michelin Bib Gourmand award a couple of years back.

The Nayarit Tradition

Nayarit cuisine is a coastal Mexican tradition focused on fresh seafood, emphasizing techniques like zarandeado—butterflying and grilling whole fish over mesquite—and raw preparations like aguachile, which is spicier and more aggressive than typical ceviche. Coni'Seafood imports shrimp, whole fish, and other products directly from Sinaloa and Nayarit.

Atmosphere

The space retains the old Encanto look—it appears they simply moved in without renovating too much. The bar area was closed and unlit, giving a rather unwelcoming first impression, though apparently they have a full liquor license and plan to re-open it soon. For those who never visited the old place, the dining area is unpretentious. Definitely a casual vibe. But a gloomy Sunday evening at 6pm (don't you hate those clocks going back ?), the place was nearly full. Hopefully, the drawbacks of the south of the pier location don't weigh too heavily on Coni's as they try to establish themselves.

Service

Slow from the start. Our server warned us the kitchen was busy, but our ceviche still took 25 minutes—frustrating for what we wanted as a quick bite before the star of the show. The pescado zarandeado, advertised at 30 minutes, took nearly 50. Our server was friendly (Coni's definitely has that family feel) and tried to manage expectations, but do bring patience with you. A special shout out to the small party of elderly diners who waited for 20 minutes and then realized that they weren't actually at Radici like they thought they were. Presumably the lack of pasta options eventually gave the game away.

The Food

The ceviche marinero—raw shrimp with cucumber, tomato, onion, mango, and a fiery black sauce—brought aggressive heat that felt rather one-dimensional. Fresh shrimp, but the execution maybe leaned too heavily on spice rather than balanced flavor. Time will tell whether the regular local crowd find the authenticity just a little too hot to handle.

The langostinos were our server's recommendation, described as "baby lobsters." Three of them swam shell-on in a really tasty chef's sauce with garlic, red pepper, and some citrus zing, the heat nicely tempered by cucumber on the side. The meat was slightly chewy, but that sauce was delicious—the meal's highlight.

The pescado zarandeado—their signature butterflied snook—is the traditional preparation of this coastal game fish prized in Mexico for its firm, white flesh and mild flavor. The smallest size (1-1.5 kg) is meant for sharing and came with roasted onions that added something special. The fish itself was oily in parts, dry in others. Inconsistent enough to notice. After nearly 50 minutes, it was good but didn't quite live up to the wait. That signature mesquite flavor is definitely unique. I enjoyed it, but my guest found that it overpowered the snook's natural sweetness.

My dinner guest observed that the tortillas served with our fish were 'definitely not as good as the ones at Palmilla.'

We were just a party of two, but to be fair there was enough food for three average appetites.

Drinks

Two "fresh squeezed" lemonades from a limited menu—okay but unremarkable. The bar can't open soon enough.

Other Recommendations ?

Based on reviews from the other locations, the smoked marlin tacos are reportedly outstanding—cheesy, rich, and cited as one of the best tacos in LA. We did see these on the next table, and they got a smiling thumbs-up from a guy eating alone. The various shrimp aguachiles get consistent praise for their bright, aggressive flavors. The mojarra frita (whole fried tilapia) is mentioned as a family favorite and more budget-friendly option than the zarandeado.

Value

Prices climb, especially for whole fish. Whether the quality justifies the cost and wait is questionable.

The Verdict

Coni'Seafood brings authentic Nayarit-style seafood to Hermosa, genuinely different from the usual options. Our experience was rather inconsistent, but the concept has promise. Their other locations have strong reputations, and an almost cult-like fan base, but this one needs time to find its footing.

Coni’Seafood Restaurant

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