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Girasole Italian Cuisine - The Plains, VA

Girasole

Authentic Regional Italian Cusine

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About the Area

Girasole is located in The Plains, VA, in the heart of Virginia’s horse country, a perfect place to unwind from the demands of every day life. It is located only thirty miles from Reston, fifty-two from Washington, D.C., and one hundred and ninety seven from Philadelphia, PA. Nearby, picturesque towns include Middleburg, Manassas, Warrenton, Gainesville.

The Plains, a tiny hamlet (population 289) reminiscent of the lush countryside of Tuscany, offers serenity and breathtaking  views, a refreshing break from the noise of the city, be it a weekend or week-long getaway. Growth restrictions in Fauquier County, home to The Plains, have allowed the area to remain lush with horse farms, wineries and sprawling acres of green and gold farmland. Visit www.theplainsvirginia.org for a complete listing of local business, a calendar of events, and news about the town.

A strong presence of wineries dots the gorgeous landscape of northern Virginia, with the state ranking second to the largest wine producer, California.  Close to forty wineries operate in the area, many open for seasonal tastings  and tours.  Nine are located in Virginia’s version of Napa Valley ­ the Blue Ridge Wine Way.  Check http://www.virginiawine.org/regions/northern-virginia/ for specific information on events and hours.

Virginia is horse country. Northern Virginia plays host to an early May, annual steeplechase race in the Great Meadow Field Event Center, as well as polo matches, the Virginia Gold Cup, International Gold Cup, and numerous equestrian events. For the fox hunt enthusiast, The Plains is located in the Orange County Hunt and close to the National Sporting Library in Middleburg.

The Blue Ridge Mountains and Sky Meadows State Park offer mountain trail rides and hiking with rugged terrain, as well as pleasant camping facilities. A portion of the Appalachian Trail runs through the Park. Biking, fishing or bird-watching are in abundance along Skyline Drive, noted for its breathtaking valley views, winding roads and access to the Shenandoah River.

Two Civil War battlefields ­ Harper’s Ferry and Manassas Bull Run ­ are a twenty-minute drive from The Plains.

For more information on The Plains and Fauquier County, check
http://www.virginia.org/counties/Fauquier/

View of The Plains countryside

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girasoleva
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Mar 3

Open
We think the New York Times put it best when writing about the Tuscan dish ribollita, literally meaning reboiled. “Neither vegetable soup nor stale bread has ever tasted so good. When you serve it, you don't need anything else.” 

Well, a beautiful glass of Avignonesi Cantaloro Bianco wouldn’t be a bad addition. Do not miss our four course, fixed price Tuscan menu with wine pairings by the acclaimed @avignonesi winery, and the opportunity to taste some of their most prestigious wines, including their Sangiovese Grandi Annate, produced only in the best vintages from old vines. And like all of their wines, the grapes for Grandi Annate are grown, harvested, and vinified organically to express the best traits of Sangiovese from Tuscany. Menu and pairings available through Friday.
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#ribollita #organic #biodynamic #avignonesi #vinonobile #grandiannate #vinsanto #cantaloro #igt #tuscany #rustic #cucinapovera #newyorktimes #jamessuckling #vinous #wineenthusiast #winespectator #wineadvocate #nova #finedining #foodblog #dcdining #vafoodie #lacucinaitaliana
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Feb 23

Open
Like so many dishes in Italy, the origins and ingredients of zuppa inglese are highly disputed. The name zuppa inglese, literally meaning English soup, raises even more questions. The only thing we can tell you with confidence is that it is delicious and light and you will wonder why you never heard of it before.
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Here it is. Chef Lou’s zuppa inglese. Cake soaked in brandy, layered with pastry cream, Belgian chocolate chunks, and amarena cherries, decorated with meringue. Available now on our fixed price Tuscan menu with wine pairings by Avignonesi.
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Feb 20

Open
Chocolate soufflé and vin brûlée (mulled wine) available tonight!
🍴
Start your meal with our featured cocktail, made with cognac, orange curaçao, and dry vermouth, followed by a morel sformato with a rich sheep’s milk fonduta sauce. 
🍷
Or join us tomorrow for a wine tasting at 2:30, featuring wines from Turkey, Hungary, Switzerland, Spain, and Italy.
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Feb 10

Open
Do not hesitate to book your reservation with us for Valentine’s weekend!

View our dine-in and to go options in the ‘News and Events’ section of our website (link in bio). Call to reserve or to place a to go order, 540-253-5501 💕
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Feb 6

Open
We have a very limited amount of raspberry soufflés available tonight! Make sure to reserve yours when you make your reservation, or when you arrive. 

Vin brûlée aka mulled wine available tonight as well!

A reminder that we will be closed tomorrow, Sunday, due to the Super Bowl.
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Feb 3

Open
Persimmons + Panna Cotta
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Native to North America and Asia, the most common types of persimmon are the Fuyu and Hachiya. When ripe, they are soft and almost melt in your mouth. The taste is mild yet sweet and rich, almost honey-like in flavor, making them the perfect accompaniment to our vanilla panna cotta.
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Jan 31

Open
WE ARE OPEN! 4:00 - 7:00, Curbside pickup only. Call to order 540.253.5501. 

📷: Cozy up with veal cannelloni tonight!
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Jan 27

Open
This gnarly looking vegetable is puntarelle, or Catalonian chicory, a specialty of Roman cuisine during the winter months when you can find it in every restaurant, although it’s usually not listed on the menu. The crunchy, curly stalks are tossed in a simple lemony, garlicky vinaigrette. Although many farmers are beginning to grow Catalonia chicory for chefs, it is still quite uncommon in the US. We are fortunate to get our hands on a limited amount, but it is so difficult to share as every bite transports us to Rome. 
🥬 🥬 🥬 
Preparing puntarelle is a whole task in and of itself. The tall, bitter outer leaves are removed to reveal pale, crunchy inner stalks that look almost alien. The puntarelle hearts are separated and sliced thinly (in Italy they push the stalks through a nifty puntarelle cutter, a small grid of wires stretched across a wooden frame that slices the stalks in no time) and soaked in a bath of ice water where they will lose some of their bitterness and begin to curl. After soaking, the puntarelle are ready to be dressed and eaten. We get a little non-traditional when using the leafy stalks. Like in any professional kitchen, nothing can go to waste. We use the leafy stalks in ravioli, or pan sauteed to accompany meats.
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Jan 23

Open
When you love black pepper, you find ways to put it on everything. 

Daiquiri riff made with dark rum, fresh lime, and a Campari float, with a black pepper garnish. Currently our featured (and favorite) cocktail.
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#cocktail #bartender #finedining #daiquiri #campari #washingtonpostdiningguide #blackpepper #cheers #weekend #punchdrink #imbibe #huntcountry #middleburglife #aperitivo #rum #loveloudoun #visitfauquier
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Jan 20

Open
Burrata with peas and shaved 24-month aged Parmigiano Reggiano, with crushed cruschi peppers
🌶 🌶 🌶 
Hailing from Basilicata, a region in southern Italy, cruschi peppers are sun dried and quickly fried sweet Senise peppers that are aromatic, crisp, and nutty. To be enjoyed on winter greens, eggs, seafood and braised meat dishes, or as an aperitivo on their own. Now on our featured specials. 
🌶 🌶 🌶 
Peperone di Senise are an IGP Basilicata sweet pepper variety. They are harvested entirely by hand under the heat of the summer months. The deep red peppers are picked, placed in baskets, and carried to a large shed where they are strung into large wreaths, or serte, and placed into open walled sheds to dry for at least 20 days. After the peppers are dried, the serte are carefully dismantled and the peppers are fried in local olive oil until they turn brick red and crispy. The peppers are then stored for use throughout the winter months.
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Dec 30

Open
Today is the last day to order for curbside pickup for News Year’s Eve. We still have some availability for dine in customers as well. Full menu linked in our bio.
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Dec 27

Open
Diver scallops, shallot buerre blanc, Sicilian pistachio salad. On our specials tonight #buonappetito

#finedining #scallops #vafoodie
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Girasole Italian Cuisine - The Plains, VA

(540) 253-5501
4244 Loudoun Avenue
The Plains, VA 20198
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Hours

Monday: closed

Tuesday – Thursday: 4:30pm – 10:00pm

Friday – Sunday: 4:30pm – 10:30pm

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