I spent the weekend with the family at the St. Regis (Dana Point). The wifey wanted to give Stonehill Tavern a try as we had previously enjoyed Mina's fare at the former Aqua.

The food turned out to be very good, but not spectacular - perhaps my expectations were too high. The service was great and the ambience had a casual, modern American elegance to it.

The tasting menu did not particularly interest me so the wife and I decided to sample almost all of the appetizer "trios" and then split one entree. On to the food...

Amuse Bouche - Russian trout, pickled ginger, crab caviar.



Caviar - Russian Osetra







Scallop Trio
Scallop ceviche, radish and tangerine
Tempura scallop, cream of white asparagus
Seared scallop, english peas, curried carrot puree



Tempura Scallop with White Asparagus Soup - Here's the regular portion of the soup which my son ate as his appetizer.



Greens Trio
Watercress, goat cheese, pistachio
Hearts of romaine caesar
Arugula, heirloom tomato, burrata




Lobster Trio
Bacon and shiso wrapped fritter
Butter poached, buckwheat crepe, lobster jus
Bisque



Duck Trio
Foie Gras, honey crisp apricot
Roasted breast, veal reduction, almond butter emulsion, bing cherry
Crispy thigh, poached peach, shallot jus

 

"Kobe" Ribeye A5, 5oz Ribeye. Potato puree, morels, pearl onions.



Truffled Mac N Cheese - My daughter's favorite.

 

I've been meaning to try Stonehill, but I also get too tempted by the Friday Night Seafood Buffet @ Ritz Carlton instead.

Is it just me, or is the service @ St. Regis not up to snuff?

 

we actually enjoy the st. regis immensely. we stay there about 3 or 4 times a year. to date the service has been great. i will admit that the ritz is marginally better, but it's a little stuff for me and the family.

what is the seafood buffet you mention? i may have to check that out.

 

Every Friday night @ the main restaurant. Seafood Buffet...super good....about $75 per person + drinks. Simply awesome!

Of course, the St. Regis Sunday Brunch is my favorite buffet ever!

 

what do they have on the buffet? crab (dungeness), lobster, oysters? sounds like a good deal.

 

food looks amazing. Nice to see caviar properly served...