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Girasole Italian Cuisine - The Plains, VA

Girasole

Authentic Regional Italian Cusine

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About Us

Lydia and Lou Patierno

Chef-owned and operated, Girasole uses only the freshest ingredients to create authentic, regional Italian menus.  In the picturesque village of The Plains, Virginia, you’ll experience exceptional service, a relaxing European atmosphere, and the highest quality food and wine.

Our award-winning menus are rotated to coincide with the seasonal offerings of the area.  Produce from local farms and greenhouses, grass fed and naturally raised meats, truffles hand-selected from Italy, hand-pressed olive oils from small Italian orchards inspire Chef Patierno to create a “spirited” menu, a natural complement to his innate artistry.  The pasta is made fresh daily, be it stuffed or formed, and desserts follow original recipes from France, Switzerland, and Italy. Come enjoy a bit of European elegance in the heart of Virginia’s Hunt Country.

Chef LourPatierno of Girasole in The Plains, VA

Chef Lou Patierno

Inspired by a trip to his aunt’s home in Ferrara, Northern Italy when he was a teenager, Patierno fell in love with the lush countryside and its rich artistic heritage.  He studied art during his stay, but decided on a culinary career, where art could be part of every day.  He brings his unique brand of imagination to every signature dish he creates ­ a love of food, wine, and all things beautiful is evident in every delectable morsel.

After attending Villanova University and graduating from the Culinary Institute of America at Hyde Park, Patierno eventually found himself at the famed Tiberio in Washington D.C. where throughout his twelve year tenure he learned from some of the most talented Italian chefs.

After spending a season working in the French countryside, Patierno decided to venture out on his own. He first opened Panino in Manassas.  Then in 2004, Patierno and his wife, partner and fellow Hyde Park graduate opened Girasole (sunflower) in the countryside of The Plains.  Already a well-respected and successful team; Lydia in the dining room with her exceptional knowledge of food and wine (not to mention her winning smile) and Lou in the kitchen with his extensive culinary training, together they brought Lou’s dream to life.

Lydia Patierno

Lydia Patierno

Born outside of Pittsburgh to an Italian father and Polish mother, Lydia Patierno’s love of food was inevitable. She was fortunate to be exposed to ethnic cooking from both sides of her family.  That love only grew when she minded her uncle’s Italian import food business while others in the family delivered the sought-after Italian provisions to the immigrant coal miners working in the vicinity.  With these experiences, it was only natural for her to be one of the few women to attend The Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, NY.

It was there that Lydia met her future husband, Lou Patierno.  After cooking school, Lydia interned for famed chef Hubert Schmeider, then worked in kitchens in Iowa and Indianapolis before returning to DC with Lou. Because few women were hired to cook in the District at that time, Lydia worked in hotel management where she focused on managing restaurants and overseeing catering operations.

In 1992, she joined her husband in opening their first restaurant, Panino, in Manassas.  Then in 2004, the winning team opened Girasole in The Plains, VA.  Together, and often with the help of their adult children, they bring a bit of old world charm and tastes to Virginia’s Hunt Country.  When not running the front of the restaurant, hosting wine tastings or wine dinners, Lydia leads small groups to Italy where they see sites and experience food as true Italians see the country.

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Aug 3

Open
Our locally grown, heirloom tomatoes are at peak ripeness! Served with a classic Piedmontese tonnato sauce. We open at 4:30. A presto!
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#girasoleva #tomato #hierloom #tonnato #finedining #italianfood #vafoodie #gardens #theplainsva #loveloudoun #visitfauquier #tomatoseason #piemonte
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Jul 27

Open
From our garden to your plate, because seasonality is fundamental.

House made chitarrine with a purée of parsley, stalks and all, with sweet cruschi peppers. We open at 4:30.
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Jul 21

Open
On our featured specials tonight!  We are open for dinner, enjoy the last of this week’s featured specials before they change tomorrow. 
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📸 Halibut pan sautéed, over fennel, zucchini, and olives

📸 Baccalà mantecato, Venetian style cod whipped with olive oil and herbs until light and creamy, over heirloom polenta
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Jul 20

Open
We will see you tomorrow, Thursday, for our regular dinner service. 

Make sure to sign up for our monthly newsletter so you don’t miss out on any more Girasole happenings! Head to our website (link in bio) and scroll down to the bottom of the page to sign up.
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Jul 14

Open
Cobbler season!
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Jul 7

Open
Beautiful and delicious! Our negroni bianco, made with Tanqueray, Vergano chinato moscato, and Cocchi americano is available tonight. 

Come and enjoy the breeze on our patio, we open at 4:30.
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#negronibianco #negroni #gin #chinatovergano #cocchi #summer #cocktail #theplainsva #girasoleva #finedining
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Jun 29

Open
Squash blossoms tempura, stuffed with ricotta and sun-dried tomato. In a very limited supply from our garden. 

We are open Wednesday through Sunday from 4:30 - 8:30pm.
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#summer #fioridizucca #semagna #mangiabene #italianfood #tempura #ricotta #gardentotable #theplainsva #vafoodie #loveloudoun #visitfauquier #nova #eater #finedining #erromano #gardentotable
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Jun 23

Open
Thanks to our generator, we have power! We will be open tonight for our regular dinner service at 4:30pm. 

That being said, our internet and phone lines are currently down, so if you would like to dine with us this evening, just stop in! 

Photographed before the storm yesterday is our melon and arugula salad with a mint dressing. Inspired by an ancient Roman recipe and available on our specials tonight!
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#eatlikearoman #cookingapicius #melon #mint #garum #arugula
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Jun 15

Open
We open at 4:30!

📸: Squab pan sautéed and served over frico, a crispy potato and Montasio cheese pancake traditional to the Alps
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#squab #frico #italianfood #shoyu #theplainsva #finedining #patio #visitfauquier #loveloudoun #montasio #alpinefood #northernitalian #wednesday #vafoodie #foodgram
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Jun 9

Open
Off-menu, off-featured specials special! 

📸 Mint pappardelle with Morel mushrooms
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#pappardelle #morels #mint #fuorimenu #handmade #uppervillehorseshow #loveloudoun #visitfauquier #vafoodie #finedining #patio #hydrangea #girasoleva #itsabeautifuldayintheneighborhood #middleburgmoment #lacucinaitaliana #bonappetit #buono #eater #lovelyday
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Jun 5

Open
Not just wine! 

Right now we have a great selection of German beers, including a Düsseldorfer Altbier, a Bavarian Helles lager, a classic Dunkel, and a Berliner Weisse. All perfect on a hot day!

📸 Professor Fritz Briem 1809 Berliner Weisse: In 1809, Napoleon and his troops identified Berliner Weisse as the champagne of the north! 1809 is a traditional interpretation of the Berliner style wheat beer that is refreshing and complex, delicately fruity, and subtly sour.
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Jun 1

Open
Shrimp preserved with vinegar and onions, served with pine nuts and raisins over heirloom polenta. A dish that is emblematic of Venetian cuisine and of its maritime culture and trading history. 

Fish and vegetables preserved this way are called saor, or flavor in Venetian dialect, a befitting name for a dish that grows more flavorful the longer it sits.

📸 Shrimp in saor over locally milled, heirloom polenta, currently on our featured specials menu
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#saor #cicchetti  #venetianfood #italianfood #finedining #gamberiinsaor #polenta #vafoodie #foodblog #venezia #foodhistory #theplainsva #girasoleva #lacucinaitaliana #fishermansfood #ancientfood #authentic #rustic #tradition
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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 & Tuesday: Closed

Wednesday – Sunday: 4:30pm with the last seating at 8:30pm

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