When asked to describe the cuisine of Dana Point’s newest dining destination—Whitestone Restaurant & Bar (whitestonerestaurant.com) executive chef Tony Celeste can sum it up in a single word: “Worldly,” he says of the hot spot, now open in the former Two Left Forks space on Pacific Coast Highway. “Our menu allows you to traverse the globe in one sitting. Dishes see influence from France to Italy and Asia to the Americas, and are full of unique twists and turns that demonstrate our creativity.” Take your palate on a culinary journey by starting with the chef’s favorite—black baba ghanouj with Greek yogurt, red harissa and grilled bread—before digging into the decadent scallops, kicked up a notch with hijiki, brown butter, lime salsa and togarashi popcorn. Order the pear vodka-spiked That’s What She Said and settle in on the heated patio, where a fireplace sets the mood. Costa Mesa-based Grace Blu Interior Design brought a lighter color scheme to the restaurant, and those in the know would be wise to book a private multi-course tasting experience at the elegant Chef’s Table (request the off-the-menu patatas bravas mille-feuille for one of our favorite tastes). “Having called many places home, from Europe to the Far East, we’ve found that no matter where in the world you live, there is a cultural commonality around dining together,” shares owner Nader Milani. “Coming together to share a meal with friends is a celebration in itself, and that’s what we aim to create every night at Whitestone.”