One Bistro Opens in Irvine, One Closes in Dana Point

New restaurants are bustin’ out all over Orange County this month.

Bistro 201 made its debut last week in Koll Center, 18201 Von Karman Ave., in Irvine, at the former site of the Metropolitan Grill. David Wilhelm’s latest venture (he also owns Kachina in Laguna Beach) sports a sleek contemporary decor with curved and angular hardwoods and shades of mauve, green and gray.

The a la carte menu is divided between “large plates” (entrees such as duckling with sour cherry sauce and celery root puree, or rosemary roasted sea bass; entree prices range from $8.95 to $16.50) and “small plates” (appetizers like grilled shrimp on creamy polenta). John Sharpe, formerly of Le Biarritz in Newport Beach, is chef. Lunches are served Monday through Fridays, dinners nightly. (714) 553-9201.

Napoleon has replaced JJ’s Bistro at 24501 Del Prado Ave. in Dana Point. The menu is classic French with a few contemporary touches such as “les dietetiques” (not a French word, allows the very French owner, Jean-Paul Gourgues, who came to Orange County via Montreal. But it does convey lightness). The chef is Gilbert Mercado, who worked at Ambrosia in Newport Beach, the Cellar in Fullerton and Perino’s in Los Angeles. Napoleon is open for lunch Tuesdays through Fridays, dinner Tuesdays through Saturdays. A la carte dinner entrees begin at $14.25. There’s a sit-down Sunday brunch for $14.50. (714) 240-9744.

Sauces at 28471 Marguerite Parkway in Mission Viejo touts 1,400 different dishes (!). The trick is 33 different sauces, which may be applied to seafood, beef, poultry or pasta. It’s open daily for lunch and dinner, from $6.95 to $14.95. (714) 364-3755.