Il Girasole

Such a delicious experience! The fettuccine was good, but the raviolo on top of the steak was incredible — definitely the highlight of the meal. The flourless chocolate cake was insanely good, highly recommend it! The service was excellent and the steak was tender, juicy, and perfectly medium-rare… it literally melted in my mouth. The Spanish Octopus was surprisingly delicious — tender, flavorful, and beautifully done! A dish I didn’t expect to love, but I absolutely did. My only note is that the steak was very small for the price ($69) — I expected a bigger portion. Other than that, everything tasted amazing.

We had an absolutely amazing dinner at Il Girasole! The owner/chef is incredible and all the dishes really blew us away. The appetizers were delicious, the pastas were incredible, and the steak we ordered was divine! All desserts were delicious as well. I can’t wait to come back! Great wine & great prices too.

Il Girasole was the perfect spot for our anniversary—it absolutely did not disappoint! The service was top-notch, and the wine list was excellent. The appetizers were not only delicious, but they were works of art! We started with the zesty, lemon-flavored Arancini, the incredibly fresh Crudo (made with fish flown in from Japan!), and the unique Polipo with its delicate squid ink crisps. Our entrées were the highlights: a deeply satisfying Pappardella Ripiena Di Anatra that featured perfect crispy duck confit, and the must-try Filetto Cacio E Pepe—a tender filet brilliantly wrapped in a cacio e pepe ravioli. For dessert, we indulged in the peach cheesecake and the beautifully presented Pavlova with dragon fruit.

Had the beef filet and the duck for entrees. The filet was missing some seasoning like salt however it was cooked perfectly. The ravioli on top was delicious. The duck was cooked well however the flavors are so overpowering and didn't compliment each other. Would not recommend. Desert was a chef's kiss. Not sure what the name was but it was divine. I would come back for dessert and wine anytime.

10/10 amazing! My wife and I decided to come here to celebrate our anniversary and we were pleasantly surprised. It is modern Italian so don’t expect normal Olive Garden entrees haha. The visionary behind the restaurant has taken his take on Italian food where he grew up and elevated it with a modern twist. The food still comforts you like Italian food does but the modern take on it delights your taste buds and keeps you wanting more. The duck parpadelle was so incredible, arancini was delicious, lasagna was rich and decadent and the tiramisu was excellent. The owner himself brought us a Limoncello shot to celebrate. Thank you so much we will be back! If you are looking for a new date night spot and want a creative fresh take on Italian please go here you will not be disappointed!

So glad we finally made it down to so co to try this restaurant. I enjoyed everything we ordered, you can tell that a lot of thought went into each dish. The staff was amazing and attentive and the space is lively but I found our table welcoming and intimate. I’m so excited to have a modern Italian restaurant of this caliber in Orange County and can’t wait to go back for the other menus. Keep in mind that this is not tomato and meatball Italian fare, it’s inventive and refined. They definitely know their way around meat, the elk and duck that I ordered was so tender and cooked to perfection.

We had the best experience at Il Girasole today. Both their brunch & lunch/dinner have amazing options. The Duck Pappardella was a work of art and absolutely delicious. I can’t wait to return again and again.

OC is blessed with some of the best Italian restaurants in California, and this place stands out as one of the strongest examples of modern, innovative Italian cuisine in the area. This is not a red-sauce, old-school Italian spot. If you’re looking for oversized portions and classic comfort dishes, this probably isn’t your place. If you enjoy Italian flavors reimagined with modern techniques and presentation, you’ll feel right at home. Several dishes highlight that approach. Instead of traditional risotto, fragola is used as a base in some plates, offering a lighter but still rich alternative. The bison short rib appetizer delivers deep, slow-cooked flavor and is a great way to start the meal. One standout dish paired cacio e pepe ravioli served directly atop a filet, allowing the cheese sauce to melt and drip down onto the steak—indulgent, creative, and surprisingly balanced. Even elements like parmesan foam feel intentional rather than gimmicky. This is an excellent choice for a date night, special occasion, or dinner with people who appreciate elevated takes on familiar dishes. If you enjoy Italian cuisine but want to experience it pushed forward in thoughtful, delicious ways, this spot is an easy recommendation.