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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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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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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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

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

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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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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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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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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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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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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We had the Antinori Wine Dinner. Everything was delicious, great service, beautiful wine and great ambiance. I had two friends that can't drink alcohol for health reasons and I wish there was an option of this tasty menu without the wine. Maybe my only issue was that it took a bit too long. Chef was at every table making sure everyone was well taken care of. I recommend this restaurant, go with no time restrictions though. Enjoy. read more

Il Girasole - Italian Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

The standout highlights were the asparagus salad (asparagus is a go to order for me for decades and this was the most flavorful, delicious, interesting asparagus of my life!) and the pavlova (again - the flavors coming through the berry compote were just fascinating!). Service was attentive, not as much from our actual waiter as the woman standing by to bus tables- she did not miss a beat and was very kind and helpful!! The flourless chocolate cake was inedible beyond ~2 bites with a sufficient cream of some sort to lift the bitterness. The lamb and filet were unfortunately mid, definitely not worth the price tag. 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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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 had the most incredible date night with our best friends at this modern Italian gem, and it honestly transported us right back to Italy. Having been in Italy this past year (with our BFF's), we were delighted to learn the chef/owner is from Florence--and you can truly taste his modern spin on classic dishes. From the moment we walked in, the atmosphere was stunning--warm, cozy, and inviting, with a vibe that makes you want to settle in for hours. And that's exactly what we did... a three-hour dinner experience that never felt rushed, only perfect. A huge part of that was thanks to our waiter, Spencer, who was knowledgeable, cheerful, and clearly passionate about the food. His recommendations were spot-on and added so much to the evening. We started with croquettes and arancini (lemon risotto stuffed with mozzarella and samorilio)--absolute perfection. Next came the Veni Vidi Vici Caesar--grilled little gem lettuces with dressing so flavorful, it might just be the best Caesar we've ever had. For mains, we had: Filetto Cacio e Pepe, Taglierini with clams, mussels, calamari, scallops, and a prawn, and the Osso Buco braised short rib with pasta. Every dish was spot-on, full of depth and balance. Dessert was a showstopper thanks to their pastry chef. We devoured the Pavlova and the flourless chocolate cake, and just when we thought we couldn't eat another bite, they surprised us with a light, airy lemon cookie to finish. Then our friend ordered an affogato. The menu changes often, which only makes us more excited to come back. Between Spencer's warm service (and the rest of the staff), the beautiful space, and next-level food, this was easily one of the best dining experiences we've ever had. If you're looking for a special night out, this place does not disappoint. read more

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We stopped by Il Girasole after dinner to catch their evening happy hour, and it was the perfect spot to keep the night going. Great for grabbing a few drinks, sharing small plates, and just hanging out with friends. Everything we ordered was delicious, especially the charcuterie board, the octopus salad, and the lamb meatballs with crostini. What really stood out is that the food tastes a little different from what you usually find at typical restaurants, in the best way. The flavors felt more layered and unique, and I honestly couldn't fully pinpoint which sauces or ingredients were used, like they weren't the most "common" ones... but that made it even more interesting and memorable. The service was incredibly friendly and attentive, and the atmosphere is absolutely top-tier. It's lively, classy and effortlessly charming. If you're looking for a place to swing by after a meal for drinks and bites with friends, Il Girasole is a fantastic choice. Would 100% come back. read more

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Where do I start.. ????? *Management* - Needs major improvement. Original reservation time 8:30 we arrived 8:22PM. This place is really cute and the food was actually good minus the risotto. (Do Not Get This!) We had reservations for Valentine's day.. First hostess was great. She helped us check in and also told us about the prefixed menu vs al a carte. We decided to move from bar seating to table.. this is where we may have messed up.. wait time was reasonable since we decided to change the arrangement. We were sat by 9:25PM an hour later (which we understood) it's a Holiday and we get it.. *Our server was a bit rational and didn't answer any of our questions and no recommendations were also answered. I heard they changed the menu right before the shift started which was a bad idea too.. brought out water out, left didn't come back for about another 30mins.. took out order left.. 20-30 mins passed came out with our "complimentary appetizer".. *Another 30 mins passed our first course comes out.. the crab had shell pieces in the dish so it cut my mouth inside.. the hamachi crudo was good. *45 mins passed we get our "entree" the bass was maybe 2.0oz and my risotto was so undercooked i can bite into the crunch of the grains of the rice.. it was sour and not good at all. *25 mins passed we never got the cheese board that was included in the menu, and then 20 mins later we got the "dessert" pretty much the only thing good thing there.. It almost tasted too good to be made in house.. but who knows! **Walked by the kitchen (bathroom located) I saw a kitchen staff busy on her "phone" vs taking orders for the food.. It was also one chef working that night. Management never came by to apologize or even address and delays of the kitchen, I can tell you that more than 6-10 tables walked out that night** Poorly handled and will not be returning. It's sad because this place has great potential. I hope the owner takes this feedback and changes direction. Would like to see this place thrive with all the businesses near by. Best of luck. *All in all experience: - Service 1 out of 10 - Interior: 5 out of 10 - Food: 4 out of 10 - Dessert: 8 out of 10 Total time spent in my seat: 3Hrs and 14Mins for this meal.... we left hungry and went to In n Out right off the exit on Harbor :( read more

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Very unique Italian dinner here. We spoke with the owner Antonio after our meal who explained his background and that he strives to make his restaraunt different from the regular Italian spots who all serve the same dishes. I will say that not one of the dishes we had tasted anything like what I've had before, and, they were all AMAZING. Our waiter Michael was hilarious and very helpful. We really enjoyed the artwork inside and the unique serving dishes that were brought out. Although we liked each dish, the favorite of the table was the Radiatori. The lemon butter and garlic aoli on the focaccia was to die for. read more

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I had such a wonderful experience at this modern Italian restaurant. It's definitely not your typical traditional spot -- the cuisine feels fresh, creative, and truly gourmet. I started with the octopus appetizer, which was perfectly tender and beautifully presented. Every bite had a balance of flavor and texture that showed real attention to detail. My main course was the duck, cooked just right -- juicy, flavorful, and paired with ingredients that complemented it so well. They also have an amazing selection of wines, thoughtfully chosen to match the refined style of the menu. Overall, the whole experience felt elevated but still warm and inviting. If you love Italian food with a modern, gourmet twist, this place is absolutely worth visiting. Service was amazing ! read more

Il Girasole - Octopus - Italian Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

Celebrated my birthday here a few weeks ago and was glad I picked this place with a modern contemporary ambiance fit for a nice dinner. They were very accommodating with my table requests when making the reservation and the staff were all friendly and attentive during our visit. I started with an Aperol Spritz while perusing the menu and that was a refreshing drink to start the night. The ladies all said their cocktails were fantastic as well so do check out their drink list. We all decided to order several dishes to share so we can have variety. Burrata with Prosciutto, Polipo, and Margherita Pizza were our starters; all pleasant especially the octopus which was grilled to a tender perfection. For our mains, Lasagna Norcina with truffles will have to be my favorite, 2nd was the Radiatori Amatriciana, followed by the Taglierini di Mare. Sadly, the risotto did not impress and only because I don't like a savory dish to be sweet. Save room for dessert because their flourless chocolate cake was molto bene! read more

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This was quite the date night. This is not your typical Italian restaurant, it's more of an experience. The flavors were nuanced and perfect and the presentation was top tier. This was truly fine dining with an Italian flavor. Your girlfriend or boyfriend will be impressed. We had the Caicio e Pepe filetto which was like a fancy ravioli filled with cacio e Pepe sauce on a perfectly cooked filet mignon. That plating was amazing and it tasted as good as it looked. We also got the salmon which was ok. We had a truffle pasta which was soooo good. You just gotta try it all. Also I don't normally care but their cocktails were off the hook! The old fashion was one of the best I've had and their espresso martini was soooooooo good. I don't even like coffee but this was a must try drink. It's made with whiskey and topped with this sabayon cream. Mannnn. I'd pull up just for tha read more

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Came here after reading lot of good things on Yelp about this restaurant and it somewhat did live upto the expectations. Ambience and decor is nice and classy. Hostess and staff was cordial and we loved the set up. Here is what we got. Bread basket : It was OK. Found th4 bread quite dry and not warm enough. Did not appreciate the recommendations made by our server as we ended up with 2 pinsas, Tomato salad with breads and this bread platter. Pinsa Pizza : best dish of the night. But you gotta eat this fast as once it gets a bit cold , it becomes quite dry. Tomato Salad : it was different and it was good. But you can skip this and just get margarita pinsa instead. Filet mignon : it was good and well crafted with a ravioli on top of it. You break the ravioli and let all juices smother the steak before you take a bite. Crispy Chicken : a big reason I docked a start off my review and should have docked 2 and given them 3 stars instead. This was very bad. Chicken wasn't even well cooked and we couldn't muster courage to get an additional bite of it after we tried it. Avoid at all costs. Lasagna : if you like truffle, you will love this. It's got a very strong truffle infusion. Yellowtail appetizer : it was good. But I've had a lot better at lots of other Sushi restaurants. Octopus appetizer : it was good. Morello: drink was lemony and smoky. Didn't come out as decorated as I saw in some other pics and videos here. Overall, we had a good experience but if few things improved , this has potential to be a 5 star ! read more

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We celebrated a family member's birthday at newly opened Il Girasole (The Sunflower), and I am glad we did. It was so much better vs the previous restaurant at the same location at SOCO in CM. We started off w/ eggplant and octopus. Although the eggplant wasn't what we were expecting, it was okay. Nonetheless, I wouldn't order it again. On the other hand, the octopus was one of the best versions I have ever had. It was super tender, well seasoned and nicely grilled. For my entree, I had the duck breast. Others had the signature filet mignon and pasta. I should have went w/ the sig dish bc the duck was just aurite. The flavor was good and the duck was moist, but the portion was small. In addition, it was served a tad cool. Conversely, my rellies raved about the steak and big ravioli on top. Their steaks were tender, flavorful and grilled as ordered. Thirdly, the pastas were unique. One included king crab and squid ink. Fabrizio, our waiter was excellent. He was super friendly, and very knowledgable about the menu. Secondarily, he spoke Italian and had a big smirk on his face when I responded to one of his comments with, "Che figata" (How cool). Regarding the ambiance, its much more open vs before. The tables are not too close together, and there is a fair amount of patio seating. The table next to us was hosted by one of the owners I believe. He gave the birthday boy a glass of wine he was promoting. In addition, everyone at his table sang Happy Birthday, and he encouraged the whole restaurant to join along: That was cool AF! Il Girasole is still working the kinks out. However, when Fabrizio asked what we thought of our experience, I responded, "Torneremo presto" (We will return soon). I could not say that about the previous place, bc I never returned after a mediocre experience. Buona fortuna to the owners of Il Girasole. Thank you for bringing real Italian food to the area, in a region crowded w/ a lot of Am Italian copycat places. read more

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We got a on the house appetizers which was a potato ball, filled with flavor. The scallop crudo was fresh and so refreshing, the gnocchi was creamy and melts in your mouth. Our server was very attentive and constantly checking up on us making sure we were okay. This is a hidden gem and very casual and great place to grab a bite and hang out with friends. read more

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Highly recommend for its Happy Hour! The following dishes are favorites but definitely there are other items on the menu that should be enjoyed. The Poloette d' Agnello are lamb meatballs in tomato sauce and parmigiana. Very good and irresistible! Panino alla Mortadella is another favorite. Fantastic sandwich to have with a sizable satisfaction. Last but not least Arancini is beautifully made crispy risotto balls in a delicate green sauce. Licking good! Besides delicious food the restaurant is beautifully decorated. Service was warm and friendly. read more

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Il Girasole is everything you want in a modern Italian restaurant: refined, seasonal, and absolutely delicious. We tried the Spanish octopus with black garlic (incredible texture and flavor), the taglierini di mare, and the standout lasagna ossobuco with bone marrow. Every dish was thoughtfully plated and beautifully balanced. Their cocktails were just as impressive ... don't miss the Positano! The vibe is chic but welcoming, perfect for date night or weekend brunch. Also loved the behind-the-scenes peek into the kitchen. Will definitely be coming back to explore more of their menu! read more

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Michelin at its finest this place deserves it if it's not recognized as one. We came here for date night and are we thankful that we did the appetizers entrées the drinks, the dessert even the cappuccino tasted exotic. You can tell that everything they use here is at the highest quality possible. Great service and amazing food and beautiful read more

Il Girasole - Italian Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

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Checked out this new Italian restaurant in Costa Mesa near South Coast Plaza and had a great time! Seems like they specialize in small plates and a more "tasting menu" experience. They had a few entree/pasta options, and several appetizers and cheese boards to choose from. The bread basket was delicious and tasted freshly baked, and all the pastas we tried were creamy and flavorful. I especially enjoyed the texture of the fresh pasta. Service was also great, waiters were very attentive and friendly. They also offer a few small complimentary bites throughout the course of your meal, which is a nice touch. 4 stars- would be back if I was in the area read more

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Stopped by for lunch to celebrate my husband's birthday and we absolutely loved the food. We got the yellowtail and the lobster appetizers and really enjoyed the dishes! Our pastas we got were the seafood pasta and the lasagna and wow! It's our favorite Italian place now in Orange County! We also got the chicken dish and that was so delicious as well! The dessert pavlova was fantastic! Everything we ate was a 10/10 and we are going to try to make it back here often to try the other dishes! We love this modern Italian restaurant!! Highly, highly recommend! read more

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Pink tasting menu for Breast Cancer Awareness Month with proceeds going to Susan G. Komen -- a delicious way to dine for a great cause. The dishes were beautiful and so tasty. My favorite was the pink risotto with walnut purée, Gorgonzola, balsamic, and berries. such an interesting combination of flavors, I've never had risotto like that. Service was impeccable, and ambience was cool and fun. read more

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Overall, this was a great experience. Really nice restaurant. The decor was fun and comforting at the same time. As a very modern twist on Italian food. The waiter was great. It had some strong recommendations. He's very ineligible about the menu. It helped explained every dish we asked. He was very patient and on all did a great job. I think food is very good. The quality of the dishes and the ingredients or really good. Everything tasted fresh. None of the food was overwhelmingly heavy which is important because we came for lunch and didn't feel like we overdid it. I really like the Caesar salad and the crostini that comes with it. it was a grill warm salad with dressing that was fresh. It wasn't overly creamy. Tried something new with the Spanish octopus. Overall, a really good dish. Excellent presentation. I thought the octopus was a little overcooked and probably could use a little bit of lemon but when you eat everything together tasted really nice. Could see myself eating this on the beach somewhere. The duck papardella pasta was unique. I like the presentation and the flavor was good. A little bit on the heavier side, but still fresh. The balsamic on top helps cut the fat. The chicken Parmesan sandwich fell flat. I think the raw tomato slices or a mess. The bread was OK. It just needed more flavor whether it was oregano or something to make it a little brighter. The dessert was amazing. We had the sugar dome with berries and cream. Never had anything like this before definitely recommend it. read more

Perfect restaurant to celebrate a birthday, dim lighting, great service, fun chats, and beautiful dishes. APPETIZERS + Burrata w apple and prosciutto ($18): nice starter with creamy Burrata, sweet apple slices, and prosciutto wasn't extremely salty (7/10) + Polipo ($24): octopus was tender and flavorful, a table fave! (8.8/10) + Pane ($8): bread assortment, whipped ricotta was my fave (8/10) + Melanzana ($18): cute display, boatlike egglant. But eggplant wasn't flavorful alone and wasn't soft enough (6/10) MAINS + Filetto Cacio e Pepe ($58): their recommended dish, medium rare filet was perfect, nice pairing with the cacio e Pepe ravioli (9/10) + Ravioli al Granchio ($48): wow striped ravioli with squid ink, fun design! Pricy for just 6 pieces, but a cool design and king crab was delicious (8/10) Wines paired well with the dishes, waters were always refilled. Dishes were replaced and tables were wiped between appetizers and mains. Looking forward to our next visit! read more

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Tried this new spot last night and it did not disappoint! Sat outside on their cute patio but their indoor dining had great ambiance, as well. Cocktail menu was impressive and I enjoyed the pretty mocktail the bartender made me (not on menu). We will have to go back for the pappardelle and lasagna, since both were sold out. The scallop risotto and fillet were both delicious though! I especially loved the ravioli filled with sauce once you cut into it on top of the fillet. The flourless chocolate cake dessert easily exceeded our expectations in both taste and presentation- wow! The waitress even surprised us with complimentary lemon ricotta cookies at the end. Will def return to try more and bring our pup next time if we plan to sit on the patio! read more

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Recently (I mean yesterday celebrated my birthday at this amazing new Italian restaurant, and it absolutely did not disappoint! The 4 of us had a fantastic time. From the moment we arrived, everything was perfect. Our server, Michael, was incredibly attentive and gave excellent recommendations that made our meal even more enjoyable. Every dish we tried was flavorful and beautifully prepared. The restaurant is tucked away in the OC Mix, which is such a cool spot. There's plenty of parking, and I absolutely loved the cozy yet modern vibe of the place--it felt both stylish and welcoming. I can't wait to come back and try more of their menu! This place is a gem, and I highly recommend it to anyone looking for delicious Italian food and a great dining experience. read more

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First time and it was amazing! Great atmosphere, great staff, and amazing food. Will definitely make this a regular spot! Thank you for the hospitality read more

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I'm really jazzed to share with you a new dining destination that just recently opened in the Northern end of Costa Mesa. Il Girasole took root in the South Coast Collection center which is or has been the home of several iconic eateries in the region. As many know, this location is filled with restaurants that cover a variety of cuisines with virtually all drawing patrons with diverse and selective palates. Upon entering, you will see that Il Girasole has a similar vibe to other dining spots in the Center with its upbeat décor. The walls are adorned with murals accentuating youth and sophistication and is designed for inside dining as well as a substantial outdoor seating area. The lounge, or bar, is lengthy with outdoor seating available there as well. Kevin was the mixologist on this occasion and was very friendly and skilled both in the preparation of cocktails and with his knowledge of the different wines in Il Girasole's inventory. You will find a vast selection of domestic and imported wines that will include one for just about everyone's preference. One thing that you will notice upon reviewing the menu is that it is vast. They all have an Italian theme, but have been enhanced with subtle and significant enhancements that elevate even the simplest items. The menus include detailed descriptions and if you still require clarity, the staff there will provide specifics if needed. This evening, I was intrigued by the Lasagna prepared with a bechamel and dark truffle. The appeal of having an entrée such as Lasagna with bechamel is that it eats very lightly. Absent the heavy cheese, which is appropriate for most occasions, this method of preparation is well balanced with the accents of the traditional Lasagna. The combination of all of the components made it a delicious selection to accompany the freshly made pasta. Simply excellent! Following the meal, I was provided a freshly prepared cooking that was not on the menu. It was light and had a hint of lemon and was perfect to finish this very tasty dinner. As mentioned, Il Girasole is a great new restaurant with a very special menu. While only open a month, you will likely see its menu continuing to adjust for the better. The pictures you may see on its website of the food items are very accurate reflections of what will be served in front of you. The Chef takes great steps to fill the entrees with flavor and ensure they are presented with the refinement and finish that they deserve. I recommend you dine at il Girasole when in the mood for an outstanding and very tasty Italian meal. The dishes are meals that have a full-on Italian Persona, but infused with modern and flavorful accents. This new restaurant will have a huge following in no time. It's a new restaurant that will be a great destination for a fun and tasty meal or to enjoy an evening with your friends. Bon Appetite! read more

Il Girasole - Lasagna with bechamel and truffle - Italian Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

The restaurant is located within the SOCO center. It was vacant when we came-so service was very attentive. Some of the dishes weren't available because we came during lunch and they were still preparing their fresh pasta for the evening. We ordered the lasagna, calamari, and salmon dish. The calamari was definitely creative and not what I expected...so was the lasagna. If you love cheese and truffles...the lasagna is definitely for you...however, for me, it was a bit on the heavier side and the pasta didn't taste as fresh and it was too thick for me; I was hoping for more meat. The calamari was creative and gave me the tasting menu vibe but wasn't there for me. Probably the salmon was the safest choice. I was having high expectation because of all these raving reviews but maybe it was too creative for my taste. read more

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We went to Il Girasole for the first time to celebrate our daughter's birthday. We all love Italian food and their menu looked creative and delicious. We also were excited because they had a beautiful pavlova on their dessert menu, which is one of my daughter's favorites and not always easy to find. When we arrived, we were impressed by the open, artistic and modern dining room. There was also a lovely outdoor dining area. Our server was Irene and she provided us with wonderful service. She was friendly, patient and had great recommendations. Her colleagues also took good care of us throughout the evening. They have a great selection of wines, beers and cocktails (including Rōm my favorite beer brand) For dinner, we tried the Pappardella Ripiena di Anatra, Lasagna Ossobuco, Radiatori all'Amatriciana, Gnocchi al Pesto and Risotto Capesante e Asparagi. Everything was beautifully plated and tasted amazing! Finally, we tried each of the dessert offerings. Although I forgot to get pictures of everything, we loved every item. It was also nice that they included little surprises throughout the meal. They started with a rosemary water palate cleanser, had a lovely potato puff amuse bouche and also had a lovely plate of birthday cannolis for my daughter. We had a lovely evening and we look forward to coming back for future celebrations! read more

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We had the best dinner we've had in Orange County at Il Girasole. Everything was incredible from start to finish. The filet cacio e pepe was delicious, and the duck pepperdelle was a standout; exceptionally flavorful and perfectly balanced. Our server Michael, incredibly, made the night even better. He was attentive, knowledgeable, and made us feel welcomed from the first moment to the last. The service truly elevated the experience. read more

Il Girasole - Italian Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

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