I understand you want to use Disk Utility's Restore function, is that correct?
Restore a disk using Disk Utility on Mac - Apple Support
That's the right way to do it but if that process fails for whatever reason I suggest using asr (Apple Software Restore) using Terminal.
Example below, using a previously erased hard disk drive with title "Untitled" (the name provided by default upon erasing a disk):
sudo asr restore --source / --target /Volumes/Untitled --erase
At the Password prompt type that Mac's Admin password followed by the Return or Enter key. What you type will not be echoed, not even with •••• characters. Just type the password and hit Return.
The --erase flag seems to be necessary despite the fact you just erased that disk.
Here is an example of what you ought to see upon entering that command
iMac11:~ john$ sudo asr restore --source / --target /Volumes/Untitled --erase
Password:
Validating target...done
Validating source...done
Erase contents of /dev/disk3s2 (/Volumes/Untitled)? [ny]: y
Repartitioning target device...done
Replicating ....10....20....30....40....50....60....70....80....90....100
Replicating ....10....20....30....40....50....60....70....80....90....100
Restored target device is /dev/disk4s1.
Remounting target volume...done
iMac11:~ john$
The result will be a bootable exact precise duplicate copy (often referred to as a "clone") of that Mac's startup disk.
