Celestino Coastal Kitchen

Respect for every life! / Gratitude in every dish!

Ceviche Libre was born in San Diego, CA in 2019. Then COVID hit, and like so many dreams, it had to be put on hold.

A couple of years later, it found new life in Idyllwild through pop-ups, private dinners, and every person who believed in what we were building.

The funny thing is… seven months ago, we thought we were moving back to San Diego. We had no idea Celestino was about to happen.

Looking back, Ceviche Libre wasn’t the end of a chapter. It was the beginning of this one.

There are ingredients you don’t need to hide behind complicated recipes.
Sea of Cortez scallops are one of them.
Delicate, and incredibly fresh. Our job isn’t to transform them, it’s to treat them with enough respect that you can taste where they came from.

When I moved to Idyllwild. This guy was one of the first people I met. I remember we were still wearing masks because of COVID. And I kept talking to him every time I walked with my dog and see him outside his house. And without knowing who he was I just loved him instantly.
I mean. Who doesn’t love Marshall Hawkins?

4th of July at Celestino!
We’re keeping it coastal in the mountains with live music, seafood, and beer & wine by Alpenglow Lounge.

Live Music
Vincent’s Choice — 11:30–1:30
The Family Julz — 3:30–6:30

Come hang with us, grab a drink, and stay fresh with coastal flavors.

When you come to Celestino, you might think it’s just me behind everything. But It’s not.
Bibi has been a huge part of this place, in the kitchen, in the chaos, the long days, and those moments when things only worked because she was here.
She bossed me around, told me when I was wrong, and somehow still made sure I had eaten something.
Today she’s going back to Mexico City, and we’re trying to convince her to come back.
But we need your vote. Write “Come back” in the comments.👇🏼
Thank you Bibi for your hard work!

This is Epazote. A humble but powerful herb deeply rooted in ancestral Mexican cooking.
Not easy to find here in the U.S. and somehow, someone in Idyllwild grew it and brought it to me. Thanks Genevieve Alvarado

Peruvian-style ceviche.
Bright leche de tigre, fresh red snapper, cancha corn, white corn, and crispy sweet potato.
Simple, fresh, and made for this weather.

Sparkling Aguas Frescas from Frescos Naturales Agua Fresca available at Celestino. Great by themselves, even better with seafood.

Shrimp burger! 🍤