Enjoyed a beautiful meal with family. They bring water with cucumber and small "tastes" from the chef. Antonio greats everyone -you feel like family. The food was incredible. The desserts my visiting family said it was rhe best they ever had. read more

Great addition to the OC Mix! We tried the tasting menu for about $180 a person! It came with 8 courses! The presentation is definitely impeccable and the flavors were amazing! Definitely not your average Italian restaurant! I really enjoyed their starter dish which was a different take on the caprese appetizer. I loved the dry aged tuna in coconut sauce, this was probably the best tuna I have ever had, it was so melt in your mouth good and the coconut sauce was extremely flavorful. The pea risotto and the rockfish with the asparagus was also really good! The rockfish was covered with fingerling potatoes and the potatoes were super crispy and went well with the moist fish! The next dish was the duck. I am not a huge duck person, it was a little tough but the flavor was really good. However the duck confit wrapped in cabbage was super good! The lamb was pretty tender! I really enjoyed the mushroom and artichoke that came with it! I loved the deconstructed lemon cheesecake! Just get it! There was also a filler dessert that was a chocolate truffle, cream puff, and a blackberry tart. This was all underwhelming. I did took off a star (I would give this place 4.5 stars!) because the food kind of took a while to come out and it the whole dinner took about 2 hours. I really appreciated the complimentary glass of wine for the wait! We also sat at the bar and it was a little unorganized with a bunch of stuff at the end of the bar, not a big deal but an eyesore for a really nice restaurant. Overall this place is really good and I would return to try more dishes! read more

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Parking was easy to find since it's part of OC mix. I went on a weekday during happy hour and there was no wait. I would say the restaurant does seem to be on the smaller side so reservations might be recommended for weekends just to ensure a table. I sat at the bar and had a great experience! The staff were all very nice and talkative which I loved! I ordered the shrimp carpaccio (not part of happy hour) and I paid extra to add caviar with that and oh my goodness it was so delicious!!! I ordered the positano spritz which was part of their happy hour and that was nice, refreshing and paired well with the carpaccio. The carpaccio had a bunch of different components to it but it all went together so well! I would recommend! They also brought out a lemon cookie at the end which was super nice of them! I definitely want to come back to try out the other dishes and drinks here! read more

Il Girasole - Positano Spritz - Italian Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

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Had the most amazing dinner at Il Girasole for a business dinner and everything truly felt out of this world. We started with a few apps but the arancini and burrata both were absolute favorites and the perfect way to kick things off. I ordered the Filetto Cacio e Pepe and it was cooked perfectly, seriously so good I'm still thinking about it. The service was incredible too. I wish I could remember our waitress's name because she was such a doll and gave us the best recommendations all night. The vibe of the place is so cute and cozy and we may have gone a little overboard ordering every single dessert on the menu... but zero regrets because everything was delicious. The pear dessert was my personal favorite. Can't wait to come back next time I'm in LA/Anaheim area!!! read more

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Located at SoCo in Costa Mesa is the perfect date night and girls' night destination. Surrounded by Banksy artwork and a love of Elvis above you, the food is a masterpiece. Full flavor, perfect portions, and pasta made in house - it's meant to leave a lasting impression. Quality service and strong drinks make it a refreshing summer destination. Sit indoors or outdoors, you'll get that coastal breeze that makes you want to stay longer and stay longer you should. Don't skip dessert or you'll regret it! And if you're lucky, say hello to Luca, whose impeccable service will make you want to order the whole menu. read more

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The 4-Stars Goes To Overall Service!! My First Visit Was On February 8, 2026. The Restaurant Is In The Heart Of South Coast Collection (SOCO) And The OC Mix. I Believe The Restaurant Was Formerly 'The Tackle Box'. My Party & I Was Greeted From Beginning To End! Server Alberto Was Very Knowledgeable About The Menu & Attentive!! Pasta & Everything Was Made Fresh!! Was Offered Fresh Cannoli's For The Birthday Month! read more

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We had such an amazing experience here. The food was incredible--not just the flavors, but the presentation too. Everything that came out looked beautiful and thoughtfully put together. Our server, Luca, was absolutely fantastic--attentive, knowledgeable, and genuinely made us feel taken care of the entire time. I have celiac, and they went above and beyond to accommodate me. They even made me a vegan risotto that I don't think was on the menu, which I really appreciated. It's not easy to find places that are both flexible and safe, and they handled it perfectly. We truly loved everything and will definitely be back. read more

Il Girasole - Shrimp carpaccio and burrata - Italian Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

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Fun don't walk to this amazing spot! Honestly the best Italian food I've had in the longest time in one of the most beautiful settings. When you arrive, you are greeted warmly and given an option for inside or outside and we opted for inside which has a buzz and cool art work. Our server Fabricio was warm and welcoming and described the specials that sounded delicious. We shared several dishes including two salads and two pasta dishes. Each dish is a work of art that deserves its own frame. The flavors are fresh and rich and so wonderful. We were delighted with everything we chose. The owner visited our table and sent over after dinner limoncello along with some delicious lemon cookies All in all outstanding and can't wait to return read more

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Service was excellent at the bar during happy hour. However the food was below average. Pinsa was swimming in a pool of water and extremely unappetizing to eat The main problem is the inconsistent pricing on the menu and the bill. Tiramisu was $14 on the menu, but $16 on the bill I can't find an email on their website to contact, so here I am. I'm happy to update my review if someone from their team reaches out read more

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From the moment we walked in, this restaurant set the tone for an unforgettable evening. The ambience was absolutely beautiful--elegant without feeling stiff, with warm lighting, tasteful décor, and just the right balance of energy and intimacy. It felt like the kind of place where every detail had been thoughtfully considered. The atmosphere alone would be enough to recommend it, but it perfectly complemented the overall dining experience. Every dish was exquisitely prepared, with attention to detail in both presentation and flavor! This restaurant needs to be acknowledged with a Michelin star!!! read more

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Good food, but serving a $38 appetizer on a visibly chipped plate (photo attached) doesn't align with fine dining standards. The restaurant should pay attention to details like this though. For a fine dining restaurant, details like this do matter and slightly take away from the overall experience. read more

Il Girasole - Italian Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

We chose Il Girasole for a celebration based on strong word-of-mouth recommendations, and while the ambiance and overall vibe were absolutely on point, the experience was mixed. Our server was the true highlight of the evening--warm, attentive, and spot-on with her suggestions. Unfortunately, most of the food arrived lukewarm at best, which took away from what could have been a standout night. We tasted broadly across the menu: the amuse-bouche was a pleasant surprise, the squid was easily the best bite of the evening, and the arancini was just okay. The Caesar salad lacked flavor entirely, and the pappardelle was a bit too al dente. The filet, however, was the clear star of the show. Three of us shared all the dishes and took very little home--not because we were blown away, but because the execution didn't quite match the price point. It's seemed as if they are trying to be something that they aren't or they simply just missed the mark. Get the basics down first, serve good tasting, hot food. For what we paid, there are other restaurants we'd be more inclined to try next time. Will I return? Nope. read more

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Il Girasole is, without question, one of the most special dining experiences in Orange County right now. Both Chef/Owner Antonio Bevacqua and Chef Ralph Estrada are incredible. They've curated unforgettable experiences for me, my friends, and even my clients, from intimate dinners for two to larger groups of 10-12. It's rare to find a place that delivers so consistently across different group sizes and occasions. The menu is always fresh and evolving, and the quality, flavor, and presentation are truly next level. You genuinely cannot go wrong here. A few personal favorites (random order): * Spanish Octopus, perfectly cooked with layered texture and flavor * Radiatori with roasted tomato, crispy guanciale, pecorino fondue, basil, and aged balsamic, rich and incredibly satisfying * Gnocchi al Pesto, light, rich, and beautifully balanced * Mussels & Clams, vibrant and deeply satisfying * Culatello, Burrata & Figs, a perfect balance of savory and sweet * Caviar Bumps, a fun and elevated touch And don't skip dessert. The Pavlova is a must, and the Tiramisu is always a group favorite. Chef Antonio brings a beautiful blend of Tuscan roots and California seasonality, while Chef Ralph's precision and ingredient-driven approach elevate every dish. Together, it's a perfect balance of authenticity and innovation. Beyond the food, the hospitality stands out just as much. The team is gracious, attentive, and genuinely welcoming every single time. You feel taken care of without it ever feeling overdone. This place is a gem. Part of me wants to keep it that way... but they absolutely deserve the success that's coming. read more

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Il Girasole is a random hidden gem tucked in SOCO. My partner and I came in on a Tuesday with a friend and got seated in their heated outdoor patio. Super cozy, low-key vibe. Drinks were strong. Loved the lychee in the Positano cocktail. Food was solid. The octopus was soft and plump. Burrata with prosciutto and fig is a classic. The winter salad was a hit with my partner -- candied walnuts were toasted, not too sweet. Duck pappardelle was the star of the night for me. Rich, tender, and balanced. Duck breast was fine. Osso buco lasagna was surprisingly solid. For dessert, the flourless chocolate cake was decadent and addictive -- couldn't stop eating it. They also surprised me with birthday cannolis (pistachio and chocolate) and lemon cookies, which was a really kind touch. Even though we were the only party on the patio for a while, the staff was attentive and thoughtful the entire time. Never felt like an afterthought. read more

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FOOD WAS AMAZING!! Parking was easy to find and it was located in a plaza. We ordered 5 dishes and we got the mushroom pantries for free. Service was amazing and our server was amazing. The lights are dimmed giving it a romantic feeling. Everything tasted really good but the grilled octopus and the Korea pear with ice cream dessert really stood out to me. Definitely coming back here again to try their other food. read more

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Wow... how does this place not have a Michelin star?? But honestly, thank goodness it doesn't--because that means I can still come here without the hype (or the prices) hehe. Food, presentation, service, even the art on the walls--everything delivered. The chef surprised us with some free bites (always the way to my heart), and our server was the sweetest. Came here to celebrate my husband's birthday and we felt so loved. The steak and ravioli? Incredible--some of the best steak I've had. Seafood pasta was okay, probably wouldn't order again. But the Caesar salad presentation was jaw-dropping. And yes, they even sent out a free cannoli for the birthday boy! Prices are decent for Costa Mesa, leaning "special occasion," but worth it. Parking was easy and pleasant. Will definitely be back for another celebration soon. Also... I heard about this spot from ChatGPT, so shoutout to the algorithm for finding me this gem read more

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Impeccable service. Polished, yet warm dining space. I happened upon this place while doing interior shipping in the center. Really tasty cheese ball. I got the wait staff-recommended Duck Papperdella. It was just as hearty and filling as I needed on this dreary Costa Mesa November day. The actual composition of the dish is less like traditional pappardelle noodles with sauce (hence the name) and more like: a cheese and meat foundation with a bed of pasta baked around. The mushrooms were tasty and I enjoyed the crispy skin. The place across the way has a popular duck dish too so I was very very torn, but glad I chose this one. The host stand was terrifically positioned to lure me in. I will get the seafood pasta next time. More to come, but this one feels like a place where you can't go wrong with what you try. read more

Il Girasole - Cheese ball topped with Romanesco - Italian Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

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We came here for a Saturday night date night and was excited to try the place with the amazing reviews. I will say that it didn't start off to a great impression as we were left sitting there for 10 minutes without a server even stopping by and then probably another 10 minutes before we even got a glass of water. We ordered the crudo, taglierini neri di mare, pappardella, and the dry aged steak option to share between the two of us. The meal started with a mushroom tart amuse bouche which burst with flavors in the small single bite which got us excited for the dishes to come. The crudo came out first and definitely a 5 star in presentation and flavor. The mains came out next and I can see why the duck pappardella is a favorite there with it almost being too pretty to eat. The pasta was perfectly al dente and the duck complimented each bite without it overpowering the dish. I had been most excited about the taglierini but it ended up being my least favorite with the noodles a bit bland and overcooked. The steak though was another well executed dish with the topped peppercorn and rooted vegetables underneath the well seasoned steak. Overall we enjoyed most of the dishes and loved the lemon cookies served at the end of the meal. Hopefully service was just off tonight but enough of an issue for us that I probably wouldn't go out of my way to come back in again. read more

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Popped in here for a work lunch. Food was quite good overall, but personally I prefer my shrimp without faces and I think it would be helpful if the server had explained that the beet salad wasn't the traditional "bed of greens" salad I was expecting but moreso a plate of sliced beets (still quite delicious) with the noted ingredients and garnishes. My favorite part were the side of crispy potatoes we go lol but my coworkers enjoyed their food and the customer service was good overall. It's a cute locations and aesthetic within a little shopping area off the 405. I'd eat here again but probably wouldn't go out of my way to be back living in LA. read more

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The service and food were excellent, but I wish I would have taken the reviews a little more seriously about the prices and portions sizes. The least expensive steak was $69 and my friend was still hungry when we left. It is a 7oz pre-cook portion, but he expected more for the money. The build out was beautiful and we had a lovely time, but it was about double what we normally pay for dinner. The question I ask myself is would I rather have 2 dinners out at one of our more normally priced places, or 1 dinner out here? read more

Came back for HH/dinner with my hubs and a friend last night to try the Mussels & Clams, Duck Pappardella and Lasagna Ossobucco while my friend ordered Culatello, Burrata & Figs. Every dish was outstanding and the presentation was impressive! The crispy skin on my duck was perfect. read more

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WOW what an absolute TREAT it was so celebrate our 2 year anniversary at il Girasole!! Definitely Michelin star worthy. The restaurant is beautiful and elegant featuring upscale modern Italian dining. Service was excellent throughout the night - very friendly and accommodating. Cocktails: Il Girasole cocktail was pretty and tasted great! 10/10 Positano (limoncello spritz) was light and refreshing 8/10. We started with the Arancini (fried Risotto and mozzarella balls) 10/10 the flavor was perfect each bite. Amuse-bouche was a nice little surprise to start you off and one of our favorites. Our entree's were on another level! The lasagna ossobucco was comforting and savory with each bite. It was a pretty big dish which I gladly took home. My husband ordered the Duck Papardelle, a masterpiece to look at and also one of the best pasta dishes he's had. Both earned 11/10. For dessert we ordered the Tiramisu and their take on an espresso martini which was incredibly delicious!! 10/10. They also brought over complimentary cannolis as an anniversary treat. We were delighted to meet the owner, Antonio towards the end of the night. You can tell he is very passionate about his craft and it shows throughout the menu and overall dining experience. We had the best time and were reminded of our time in Italy as we finished the night with tiramisu and limoncello shots. From start to finish, it was a pleasant experience and we can't wait to come back soon! Grazie!! read more

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I would give this place 3.5/5 stars but I rounded up because they were accommodating with our reservation request. We went during Friday evening and the place was packed already so make sure you make a reservation in advance. Though they do have bartop for walk ins and also a large outdoor covered and heated patio for those with dogs. Of note, they do serve complimentary amuse bouche in the beginning as well as lemon cookies for dessert. For starters we ordered the winter salad and arancini. The salad was nice and refreshing and all the ingredients worked well together. We ordered the arancini because everyone raved about it in the reviews but honestly it was nothing special. The zesty sauce it comes with made it better but I wouldn't order it again. The complimentary amuse bouche they serve is something very similar to the arancini anyways. For mains, we ordered the radiatori and lasagna. We had wanted to order the lobster risotto but they were out of lobster, though it took the server a while to let us know this before we swapped over to the lasagna. The radiatori was delicious and the homemade pasta was al dente. The lasagna fell short and was quite heavy, with a very strong meat flavor which my husband thought was a bit gamey. For desserts, they do give you complimentary lemon cookies which were nice and light. But we also ordered the pavlova and flourless chocolate cake. The pavlova was definitely a highlight of the meal as it's sweetness profile was nicely balanced with the tartness of the berries. The flourless chocolate cake was almost like chocolate mouse and quite heavy so I wouldn't suggest it unless you're a huge chocolate lover. read more

Came here on a whim for a nicer Italian dinner in Costa Mesa, and they didn't disappoint. Was able to get same night reservations at 8p about just an hour or so before; and only waited around 5 minutes for the table to get set up once we checked in. Aesthetic & Ambience : 8/10 outdoor patio is hit or miss since it's in a bit of a plaza it's interesting view. The indoor Dining area is nice and up upscale, definitely what you'd picture on the nicer side of Costa Mesa. The ambiance was anyone from dates to celebrations but the people and volume were at a decent volume. Service: 8.5/10 service was pretty good and timely, even making an accommodation to the gnocchi to add additional protein on the side. Il Girasole (drink): 8/10 pretty tasty overall, a little stout at first sip, but blends well with the lychee. Amuse-Bouche: 9/10 it was soft, yet crispy. Really had a nice cheesy and potato texture. Arancini: 6/10 I know it can be tricky with lemon not being overpowering or too citrus, but the taste of lemon was very light and the risotto inside came cold, as well as the mozzarella was still in cube form. Gnocchi: 9/10 honestly one of the better gnocchis I've had in SoCal. It was soft, creamy, and stuffed with garlic basil. It doesn't have a sauce, but the parmesan foam was a great substitute. Radiatori: 7.5/10 the pasta was a bit overcooked but the crispy Guanciale was amazing and I wish there was more of it within the dish. read more

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Solid Italian spot with easy parking (always a win). We started with the scallops crudo and pulpo. The pulpo was excellent, tender, flavorful, and well-prepared. The crudo was nicely dressed, though I wouldn't have minded it being a little simpler to let the scallops shine more. For mains, I had the scallops and asparagus risotto. The scallops were top quality, and the dish was overall delicious, though I would've liked a bit more asparagus. The risotto leaned al dente. My friend had the taglierini, which was very well made and came with a generous amount of seafood. Dessert was tiramisu, which had that perfect "Asian amount of sweet"....light, airy, not cloying, and a perfect whipped texture. Drinks: cocktails were excellent. I had the Antibiotico, which reminded me of a fruity-but-not-sweet old fashioned. My friend's Fooling No One was balanced and well done. We also tried a Pinot Noir, but it didn't stand out (can't remember the label). Overall, high quality food and drinks. Great vibe inside with very comfortable chairs. read more

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Came back for dinner after having had a great lunch . We had the duck and the seafood pasta . Fresh ingredients from the sea and the duck was plump juicy and nicely gamey . Sat again at the bar and Roxy the Londoner made our experience pleasant. Julian the French remembered us from prior dine in . Oh , the triple V salad had warm dressing which was excellent. read more

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It's been on our list since May 2025, so finally decided to grab a quick lunch with my husband. He grabbed a table easily on a Monday at opening 11:45am. I love this mall, so was excited to try this spot. Service was great. Food was unique and a modern twist on Italian. Don't know whether I loved it enough to rush back. My fave was the caesar salad, duck pappardella (just incredible) and the free cookies we got at the end. I didn't love the Spanish octopus and the chicken panini. The pavlova dessert was okay. read more

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One year and two months ago this special Italian restaurant was born into the food court in the South Coast Furniture District about a mile away from the famed Crystal Court in South Coast Plaza. We were greeted by a very professional lady who booked us a table outside, but was kind enough to seat us in the bar where two most service oriented lady and a man, both of who had beautiful accent from far away places. If I had to guess, the lady had British accent and the man had Dutch accent, but I definitely am guessing wildly. Both were incredibly attentive and generous. The Italian wine selection was great! The ambience was fun. The foods were absolutely amazing. The Oso Bucco Lasagna with bone marrow and white marrow powder was delicious. The fettuccine pomodoro sauce was absolutely delightful. I truly enjoyed the dessert. The Mascarpone cream filling and berry topping and fresh strawberry and blueberry was also very tasty. I strongly recommend this place. read more

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Went for a work holiday dinner and it was absolutely amazing. It was a comforting and relaxing evening. The staff was great and friendly and took pictures with us in the photo booths. We had a section reserved for our event. The food was epic. Tried 3 pastas lobster risotto, rigo, and fettuccini, cheese and bread appetizers, and I had the steak entree. My fav pasta was the fettuccini as it was a tomato based sauce and I had never had any before. The lobster risotto was so-so as it was not to palate but other coworkers enjoyed it, and the rigo tasted like a raviloli, yuuuum. The steak was cooked to my liking and very tender. The pasta on top was interesting to eat with it. Would definitely return for a special occasion. read more

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Great little find. I asked Yelp for best restaurants near me and this was one option. It wasn't that near, I was at work in the city of Orange. Picked it bad on the pictures of the space and food. Tend to like tasting as much as possible so ordered 5 appetizers to test out the kitchen. We enjoyed them all, some more than others but there was none we didn't enjoy. Attentive and friendly service. I'll definitely be coming back. read more

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Went on a Monday night and wow the service was phenomenal. They gave us complimentary appetizer and limoncello drinks. The drink was delicious! I also had the Hugo Spritz which was light, refreshing, and slightly sweet exactly what I asked for. Our server Irene was great! My friend ordered the Illegal and she liked the drink as well. I ordered the Taglierini for my main course and my friend got the special of the night which was Sea Bream. Ambiance was moody and nice. The owner came out to add olive oil and lemon juice to our meals which was so thoughtful. The highlight for me was their desserts the cannoli and tiramisu were so amazing! Definitely a cheat meal though. Also the location was easy to find with lots of easily available parking. I would recommend especially for cocktails and dessert. read more

Il Girasole - Italian Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

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Reserved using open table. We decided to spoil ourselves as such a busy week and came here to do the dining experience with wine pairing. Everything was delicious, I applaud the concept and strive for excellence. I absolutely love the pairing as it enhanced the experience. Curated by a talented chef, the food was Devine. My only recommendation for a five star is the attention to timing of when the next course is serve as there were long gaps to being serve the next course, which made us too full for the last 2 courses. Our water glass should always be full, unfortunately. We had to flag someone for water. Service is friendly I just wish it's taken to the next level. New utensils with every course is fantastic. Also, our dessert portion, the raspberry was super tart, that we couldn't enjoy it. I don't know if that's a choice to serve tart raspberry sauce, but I was expecting something sweet. Overall, this is still an excellent experience, it reminded me of my dining experiences in Copenhagen's Michelin restaurants. This place can compete and I don't have to leave our beautiful city of Costa Mesa. I will see you again! read more

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Unbelievable food and drinks! Was here today and met Antonio again by the bar. The food and drinks served by Julien are out of this world especially for a happy hour. If you've been here, you will never go to happy hour anywhere else. Cocktails are on point, perfect balance of acidity and tinge of sweetness. Their food is decadent and luxurious unlike those other happy hour menus. Definitely and highly recommended! Thank you Antonio and team! read more

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Nice inside or outside seating. Service is great; however the pasta is very bland. The lobster sauce is unseasoned or might not go well with it. The Duck is great! Best dish so far. Elk is seasonal read more

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Happy hour every day for 2-6. Sit at the bar - Rossi is the best bartender! Wonderful cocktails, cheese board and focaccia bread. read more

Il Girasole - Italian Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

Restrauant has an amazing ambiance and service is excellent! The chef and staff make you feel very welcome. Our favorites were the mushroom compliment bite size starter from the chef, the focaccia house bread, the il girasole cocktails and gnocchi. The bone marrow osobucco was slightly cold when I got it and a bit too heavy but still good. read more

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This is very good--impressively good--Italian fare, albeit on the fussy side. From the first bite, it's clear the owner has a Michelin star circled on a vision board somewhere in the kitchen. My own palate tends to lean more Nonna than nitrogen, but credit where it's due: the ambiance is outstanding, and the service is polished, attentive, and never pretentious. The garlic-basil emulsion-stuffed Gnocchi al Pesto, crowned with parmigiano foam, is a clever remix of a classic. It's delicious, inventive, and rich enough that you may briefly consider skipping dessert...or dinner the next day. If your idea of Italian heaven includes rabbit, duck, bison, or octopus making regular appearances on the menu, this is a five-star destination all day long. For my Orange County tastes, I still gravitate toward more traditional standbys like Antonello and Alessa--but that's a matter of comfort, not quality. In short: refined, ambitious, and beautifully executed. Just be prepared for your pasta to arrive with a résumé. read more

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The food was very well prepared and nicely presented like an artwork. I loved the harmony of the ingredients in their dishes. My favorite dish would be the spanish octopus - it was a very well cooked and generous size of octopus leg with garlic aioli sauce, pickled vegetables, potatoes, with added crunchy texture from the crisps which was a delicious combination of ingredients. Also the pear dessert was probably one of the best desserts I've ever had. The service here was top tier as well. The crew was very friendly and helpful, and they definitely contributed to the pleasant dining experience we had here. Additionally, I loved the romantic ambience with the deemed lights inside the restaurant. It was a restaurant worth coming back for a nice fancy dinner night. read more

We found this place by accident. We came with reservations to Arc which is located next-door and noticed the beautiful ambience, the patio and a new restaurant so we decided to come in and try it out. Thank you the service here is exceptional. The food is made with love. The presentation that taste the quality everything is A+ if you really want to impress someone bring them here! Orange County needed a place like this! read more

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I used chat gpt to suggest an up and coming restaurant that isn't on the Michelin guide, but worthy and this place was suggested. We were celebrating and they went above and beyond. I felt like Il Girasole was also celebrating with us - our waiter was so nice and welcoming, it really added to the ambience that made our celebration so much more meaningful. Such a beautiful restaurant, I think the best outdoor patio I've ever been in (without a beach front view). It was perfect temperature, not too cold or too hot. The food was delicious! Everything was so unique so it's unlike a normal Italian restaurant in such a unique way. The burrata fig was sooooo good! The burrata was just so milky, smooth, and delicate flavor. The figs were perfectly sweet and so beautiful on the plate. The focaccia bread was also the fluffiest but yet good crunchy crust I've ever had. We each got different dishes and shared - everything was so different in flavors but all were equally fresh and well made. I can't remember what everything was called... But the scallop was delicious; the bone marrow was the softest butteriest bone marrow I've every had; the duck was not gamey at all and was just so meaty in a way that I honestly could not believe it was duck and didn't know duck could taste like that (there was also some pieces of duck skin that were just pack full of delicious buttery duck fat flavor), all the meat and pasta were beautiful and well cooked. Their desserts were also SOOOO good. Not too sweet, perfect texture and flavor, the perfect end to a beautiful meal. read more

Il Girasole - Italian Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

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