Dustin Trani
Chef/Owner of Trani's Dockside Station
At the age of six, 4th generation Chef Dustin discovered his life’s calling in the kitchen of the family’s legendary restaurant J. Trani’s near the waterfront of San Pedro. Opening in 1925 by Filippo Trani, “The Majestic Café” became a staple in the San Pedro community. Dustin’s true culinary mentor’s, Grandfather, Jim Sr. & Father, Jim jr., passed on a unique, rich & vivid legacy of restaurant experience to guide him to become Executive Chef of J.Trani’s at the age of 18.
In Spring of 2007, Dustin broadened his culinary horizon by sailing to Thailand where he worked at The Oriental Hotel in Bangkok to develop his technique to fuse elements of Asian cuisine with a more traditional Italian bill of fare. Dustin also worked alongside acclaimed Chef’s, Todd English of Olive’s and Ming Tsai of The Blue Ginger. In 2008 Dustin trained in pasta making with Lidia Alciati of One Star Michelin Guido da Costigliole in Italy, a life changing experience.
In 2012, Dustin opened “Doma” Beverly Hills where he brought touch of modern Italian with global influences. Drawing the attention of Esquire’s “Knife Fight” & critic Sofie Gayot who rated him one of her “Top 5 Rising Star Chefs” in U.S. 2013. Dustin was also featured with Doma in Bravo’s “Best New Restaurant”, hosted by Tom Colicchio
In 2016, Dustin retuned home to J.Trani’s with the ambition of expanding with a sister restaurant. In 2023, Trani’s Dockside Station opened. Located on the L.A. waterfront in the historical building that once stood as Los Angeles’s original immigration station, built in 1918. Dockside’s menu has a strong emphasis on oysters & seafood featuring all things local and sustainable. Being just steps from LA’s commercial fish market, Chef Dustin aims to share his love of seafood and hometown of San Pedro, CA.
