Il Girasole

Review summary

1. M

   Maryam

   VIP

   Orange County

   7 reviews

   5.0

   7 reviews

   Dined 4 days ago

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Il Girasole Modern Italian Restaurant provided an absolutely unforgettable dining experience for our 14-year anniversary. Every dish we had was thoughtfully crafted and packed with flavor. The Caesar salad with grilled chicken was a standout--the unique crouton topped with a gelatin-like cream and egg was both creative and delicious. Their warm bread, served with a heavenly combination of cheese, olive oil, and cream, was irresistible. The pasta with burrata and tomato sauce was fresh, perfectly cooked, and felt authentically Italian. Adding grilled chicken made it even better, and I appreciated the flexibility of adding protein to any dish, which keeps it healthy and balanced. The black cod was another highlight, wrapped uniquely and served in an exquisite Persian saffron sauce that elevated the flavors to a whole new level. The atmosphere at the bar was vibrant and cool, and the service was impeccable. Mansour and Antonio, the owners, were so kind and welcoming, making the evening even more special. The bartender's service was excellent, adding to the overall experience. To top it all off, the desserts were beyond amazing. The pastry chef, trained in France, delivered a warm, flourless chocolate cake with delectable custard that was out of this world. As someone who's picky about desserts, I was blown away--it far exceeded my expectations and tasted even better than it looked. I can't wait to return and try some of the seafood pastas and more desserts. Il Girasole is a perfect spot for any special occasion or simply for an exceptional meal. Highly recommend!
   

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2. D

   Dr . Paul

   VIP

   Orange County

   2 reviews

   5.0

   2 reviews

   Dined on January 13, 2025

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Food and drinks here are on point. Fantastic experience!
   

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3. A

   Albert

   Orange County

   184 reviews

   5.0

   184 reviews

   Dined on January 12, 2025

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Food is first rate - delicious and beautifully presented. Highly elevated Italian dishes. The pastas have so much flavor. The house aged venison rack, when available, is a must. Attentive service. Bravo!
   

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4. S

   Scott

   VIP

   Los Angeles

   11 reviews

   5.0

   11 reviews

   Dined on January 12, 2025

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   I recently had the pleasure of dining at Il Girasole and it was an experience that far exceeded my expectations. This is not just another Italian restaurant—it’s a place where classic comfort food is elevated to a whole new level of sophistication. From the moment I walked in, the ambiance was warm and inviting, with just the right touch of elegance. The staff was attentive, knowledgeable, and clearly passionate about their craft. The menu showcased traditional Italian dishes reimagined with creative twists, every course was it's own highlight! It’s clear that I'll Girasole is committed to delivering an exceptional dining experience. They’ve managed to take the comforting flavors of Italian cuisine and elevate them with finesse, creativity, and an eye for detail. Whether you're looking for a special night out or just want to indulge in truly remarkable food, this is the place to go. Highly recommend—you won’t be disappointed!
   

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5. M

   Marj

   VIP

   Orange County

   27 reviews

   5.0

   27 reviews

   Dined on January 11, 2025

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   It was my second trip to Il Girasole in just 6 days, this time, with my work colleagues. We all enjoyed our dinner thoroughly. We tried 2 different salads, 3 different entrees, the pinsas, and 3 different desserts. Every single dish was exceptional and we loved every bite! We also enjoyed our bottle of Prosecco. Antonio, the owner, is amazing! He was serving our food and kept checking on us making sure everything was beyond expectations. Il Girasole is a hot spot in every possible way! We will keep coming back! Absolutely 5/5 stars!
   

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6. O

   Olga

   VIP

   San Francisco

   15 reviews

   5.0

   15 reviews

   Dined on January 11, 2025

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Fresh new Italian restaurant with delicious food and a beautiful plating. Pomodoro salad was one of the best I ever tasted. Simplicity of yellowtail crudo made it very special with addition of beetroot sauce. King crab ravioli and chicken breast were very fulfilling mains. Chicken breast was stuffed with root vegetable purée, which is tasty, but not for me due to dietary restrictions, so I didn’t expect it and it was not clear from the menu. My husband enjoyed it though. Overall it was a very pleasant dinner experience.
   

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7. D

   Dina

   Orange County

   53 reviews

   5.0

   53 reviews

   Dined on January 9, 2025

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Food was great. Ambiance great. Server, Marco, was great! Bravo!
   

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8. K

   Kinnakone

   Orange County

   1 review

   5.0

   1 review

   Dined on January 8, 2025

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Came in wanting to try a couple of dishes on the menu and it did not disappoint. The polipo was crispy, yet soft tender and chewy in the best possible way, the presentation and the perfectly cooked fingerlings were a match made in heaven. All of our mains were incredible, but the filet cacio Pepe was insane! Shoutout Irene for being an incredible server, she perfectly matched our energy at the table and didn’t ever intrude into our experience. My girl is a carb queen and she can’t wait to go back.
   

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9. M

   Marj

   VIP

   Orange County

   27 reviews

   5.0

   27 reviews

   Dined on January 5, 2025

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   An exceptional new Italian restaurant in the Soco District Costa Mesa. Antonio, the owner, is great at what he does! Everything about this restaurant is elevated from the menu to the decor and ambiance. It has a romantic atmosphere perfect for date nights and small gatherings. Michael greeted us at the front who is really nice and friendly. Max and Kevin are incredibly nice as well and the service they provide is definitely top notch! We even got offered a comfy blanket while dining in the patio that had heaters. It definitely felt like going to a fancy Michelin restaurant with the best food and service. We had fresh veni, vedi, vici salad which is similar to Caesar salad with high quality anchovies, amazing Margherita pizza with generous prosciutto and mozzarella cheese and a delicious special homemade sauce, rich flourless chocolate cake, and prosecco and beer + coffee for our beverages. The price was reasonable for the quality of everything we ate and drank. That chocolate cake is velvety and is just perfect in every way! I think we'll keep coming back here and next time, we'll try their pastas which I learned are their specialty. Can't wait for next time!
   

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10. B

    Brenda

    Los Angeles

    27 reviews

    5.0

    27 reviews

    Dined on January 5, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4

    Wow, amazing new restaurant. You won’t want to miss! We were Leary of dining here since it was only open four weeks. Incredible experience, service 10 out of 10, food…. Creative and Delicious! The pappardelle duck was the tables favorite! We will be back! Well done guys!
    

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