Whitestone Restaurant, Dana Point’s newest scratch kitchen & bar, is now open. Helmed by Executive Chef Tony Celeste, the dinner restaurant draws inspiration from around the globe, debuting a menu of approachable dishes brought to life through exotic, international flavors.
Whitestone Restaurant occupies the former Two Left Forks space off Pacific Coast Highway in Dana Point. Having undergone minor interior renovations, the scratch kitchen opened its doors on June 25, boasting a menu of artfully plated dishes which see influence from France to Italy, and Asia to the Americas. Seasoned restaurateur Steve Dickus has tapped an exceptional team of culinary professionals to helm the kitchen led by Executive Chef Tony Celeste, formerly of avant-garde catering enterprise roomforty and Executive Sous Chef Nick Herrera, an Orange County native who has honed his craft for the past 7 years cooking in the innovative kitchens of Playground DTSA and Taco Maria.
“Dana Point is one of Orange County’s most exciting up and coming communities,” comments owner Steve Dickus, who owns Pizza e Vino restaurant in Rancho Santa Margarita and Vine in Paso Robles. “We’re proud to join this neighborhood; bringing the community a globally influenced, true scratch kitchen that celebrates the melting pot that is modern American cuisine.”
Stand-out dishes on Whitestone’s menu include a sultry wild boar ragu over house-made pappardelle; a luxurious blue cheese panna cotta; and brown butter scallops which pay homage to the Eastern seas with hijiki seaweed and togarashi.
SALADS & SIDES
BBQ Mushrooms – pickled ramps, cornbread polenta, mushroom extract
Chicken Liver Pate – two season jam, grill bread
Blue Cheese Panna Cotta – bitter greens, bacon vinaigrette, smoked hazelnuts, cured egg, wheatgrass
Wild Boar Ragu – handmade pappardelle, pecorino, basil
Crispy Forbidden Rice – yuzu kosho, lime, cilantro
Housemade Rye Cavatelli – sunchoke, smoked almond, pickled mushroom, guanciale, Angelo Farm egg
MAINS
Seared Wild Sockeye Salmon – black bean, gooseberry, scallion jus, chestnut mole
Blackened Lamb – pomegranate demi-glace, mint, fennel pollen
Confit Duck – smoked pickled tomato, toasted coconut, shishito curry nage
Braised Beef Cheek – farro risotto, Calabrian chile sofrito, cipollini, bordelaise
16oz Niman Ranch Angus Ribeye – sweet potato, olive oil, pea pesto, garum
Scallops – hijiki, brown butter, lime salsa, togarashi popcorn
Much like the menu, Whitestone’s libations program focuses on thoughtfully crafted interpretations of time-honored classic cocktails imbued with innovative ingredients. Its wine list features nearly 50 international wines with premium options available by the glass including Enroute “Le Pommiers” Pinot Noir and Far Niente Chardonnay.
With the ability to seat 130 guests, the 4100 square foot restaurant offers indoor seating, two heated outdoor patios, and a semi-private 12-seat Chef’s Table adjacent to the kitchen. The focal point of the restaurant is its open kitchen where guests can see Whitestone’s chefs prep and plate dishes before they enter the dining room.
Whitestone Restaurant is located at 34212 Pacific Coast Hwy and is open Tuesday – Thursday, and Sunday from 4 p.m. – 9 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 4 p.m. – 10 p.m. For more information, visit www.whitestonerestaurant.com.
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