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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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May 18

Open
It’s another spectacular day in The Plains! Our patio is open, and, we once again have soft shell crabs! We hope to see you soon.
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May 11

Open
We are nearly booked for this Sunday, Mother’s Day! We do still have some availability so please call to make a reservation, 540-253-5501, and we will do our best to accommodate you.

📸 Braised lamb shoulder with herbs, wild ramps, and Spring peas. On our featured specials this Mother’s Day. Find the full menu at the link in our bio.
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#mothersday #lamb #spring #mom #finedining #sicilianwine #vittoriafrappato #frappato #italianfood #ramps #peas #herbs #braised #eatlocal #fauquierfarms #huntcountry #vafoodie #loveloudoun #nova #patiodining #patio #foodphotography
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May 4

Open
What will you be having for dinner tonight?! We open at 4:30. 

📸 Fried calamari

📸 Tagliatelle with clams, pancetta, and wild onion

📸 Black Sea bass poached with fennel and mussels
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#calamarifritti #seabass #mussels #clams #tagliatelle #italianfood #finedining #patiodining #yum #goodfood #foodgram #vafoodie #visitfauquier #loveloudpun #huntcountry #visitmiddleburg #herecomesthesun #comfortfood
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Apr 20

Open
In short supply but always in high demand. We are sold out of our veal ossobuco, but we just couldn’t resist posting a picture of one of our favorite dishes. 

📸 Braised veal ossobuco with saffron risotto

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#ossobuco #vealshank #allamilanese #eatyourheartout #chapelhillfarm #love #braised #vafoodie #onahotday #spring #saffron #girasoleva #theplainsva #glorious #ossobucogram #foodgram #italianfood #finedining #foodblog #big #huntcountry #loveloudoun #visitfauquier #soldout #sorryyoumissedit #bonemarrow
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Apr 13

Open
Spring beers have landed! They’re delicate and complex, and wonderfully food friendly. But most importantly, they’re cool and refreshing on a lovely spring day.
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📸 @birrificioitaliano Tipopils Dry Hopped Pils: Full, rich, and deeply aromatic. The more you drink, the more it impresses. Italy. 

📸 Hokkaido Brewery White Ale: Bright, creamy, peppered with citrus, and spices. Japan. 

📸 @birramenabreaofficial Amber Ale: A rounded, robust, and slightly toffee/caramel flavor and nose, but with a drinkability not usually found in amber beers. Italy.

📸 Professor Fritz Briem 1809 Berliner  Weisse: In 1809, Napoleon and his troops identified Berliner Weisse as the 
Champagne of the North! A traditional Berliner style wheat beer that is refreshing and complex, delicately fruity, and subtly sour. Germany.
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Apr 5

Open
Pizza rustica season is here! A rustic, savory torte made on Good Friday to celebrate the end of Lent and to be enjoyed over the Easter holiday. It’s a Girasole tradition that stems from Chef Lou’s own family traditions. 

Typical to the southern regions of Italy, Chef Lou’s recipe comes from his aunt Lena, his father’s sister, and not from his mother who was from the northern region of Liguria. Although Chef Lou’s recipe has been altered slightly as a result of the conveniences of modern life, it remains mostly true to that of aunt Lena’s. Eggs, fresh and aged cheeses (aunt Lena used what she called basket cheese, a fresh cheese which was made in a basket), mixed cured meats including spicy salami and prosciutto, all wrapped in what used to be suet bread but Chef Lou uses a flaky, buttery pastry crust instead, and baked. 

Absolutely delicious cold or heated, but only ever enjoyed over the Easter holiday! We still have some availability for Easter Sunday. We are open 12:00-4:30pm and are offering our regular dinner menu with featured Chef’s specials. Find the full menu at the link in our bio.
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#easter #pizzarustica #pizzachiena #italianfood #lent #huntcountry #family #tradition #pasqua #italianamerican
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Mar 30

Open
Signs that spring has arrived. The only thing missing is dining amidst Lydia’s lush, aromatic garden……it won’t be long 🌞 

📸 White asparagus with morels and a sheep’s milk fonduta

📸 Seasonal beers from around the world

📸 Panna cotta with poached rhubarb and brandied orange, Meringue with poached rhubarb and lemon confit

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#spring #primavera #asparagus #morel #fonduta #beer #rhubarb #pannacotta #meringue #cappuccino #dessert #italianfood #finedining #alfresco #patio #loveloudoun #visitfauquier #huntcountry #food #foodphotography #nova #eater
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Mar 26

Open
Citrus and spice and everything nice! 

Our featured cocktail is the perfect concoction to welcome spring. Fresh lemon, herbal complexities of saffron and anise from the @stregaliquorerd, and @cocchi1891 Americano brings warm spices and the wonderful pink color. All mixed with London dry gin to make everything nice.
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#cocktail #gin #liquorestrega #cocchiamericano #spring #bartender #cheers #helleborus #patioweather #cincin #martini #weekend #nova #italian #sunday #sugarandspiceandeverythingnice
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Mar 22

Open
Blood orange with red onion and boquerones, fresh white anchovy marinated in vinegar and olive oil. Not quite Italian, delicious nonetheless. 

On our featured specials tonight. 
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#boquerones #notitalian #anchovy #españa #marinate #meditteraneanfood #fish #anchovygram #vafoodie #foodgram #foodphotography #theplainsva #citrus #bloodorange
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Mar 17

Open
Pleasantly tart with just the right amount of sweetness. Meringue with poached rhubarb and lemon confit. We open at 4:30. 
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#rhubarb #dessert #cheflou #dolce #arevelation #stpattysday #chef #meringue #familyowned #housemade #pastrychef #pastry #magnifico #classic #dceats #eater #dessertgram #virginia #nova #tartnotsweet #spring #huntcountry #loveloudoun #visitfauquier #finedining  #vafoodie
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Mar 8

Open
Little hand pinched ravioli filled with Maine lobster served in a lobster butter. On our featured specials tonight. We open at 4:30.
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#lobster #ravioli #sacchetti #handmade #fattoamano #finedining #pasta #italianfood #lobster #theplainsva #vafoodie #foodgram #pastagram #fagottiniripieni #pastaio
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Mar 3

Open
Join us for a spectacular evening with Tua Rita! Happening this Sunday. Have you made your reservation yet?!

Sunday, March 5 at 6:30pm
5 courses of rustic Tuscan dishes to accompany the wines of the acclaimed @tua_rita. Hosted by @giovanni_frascolla, third generation of the Tua Rita family. 
Call to reserve, 540.253.5501.

See our story for more, or click the link in our bio. 
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#tuarita #tuscany #supertuscan #vermentino #giustidinotri #redigaffi #tuscancoast #sunday #italianfood #italianwine #huntcountry #italy #winedinner #wine #events #foodblog #wineblog
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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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