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Girasole Italian Cuisine - The Plains, VA

Girasole

Authentic Regional Italian Cusine

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La Valentina Abruzzo Wine Dinner

Sunday, September 10th at 6:30pm
Hosted by Andrea di Properzio, owner of La Valentina
4 courses, $160 per person excluding tax and gratuity
Reservations required. Call to reserve, 540-253-5501. A credit card is required with your reservation.

“We are convinced that a fine wine is born from the sum of countless tiny details, so our objective must not only be to consistently produce fine wines, but also to make sure that they are and will always remain authentic.”

Fattoria La Valentina was founded by Sabatino, Roberto, and Andrea di Properzio in 1990 in Spoltore, a village nestled amongst the Pescara hills on the central coast of the Adriatic in the region of Abruzzo. The winery’s objective and passion became the quest for quality, a revolutionary venture in a region known for producing bulk wine, and the desire to promote the traditional varietals of Abruzzo, primarily Montepulciano, but also Trebbiano and Pecorino. The local micro-climate and the land itself, the nearby forests, mountains, and the Adriatic Sea, to which the vines are bound and so well-adapted, give La Valentina’s wines their originality and distinctive character.

Moved by the convictions that real improvement comes only from respecting natural equilibriums, the brothers implement their philosophy by not permitting the unrestrained use of technology and chemicals. La Valentina intervenes as little as possible in the natural processes, adhering to the principle that high-quality D.O.C. wine “has the mark of the vine on its grapes”.

On Sunday, September 10th at 6:30pm, we invite you to help us celebrate the revolutionary wines of La Valentina accompanied by rustic dishes of Abruzzo. Each of the four courses have been thoughtfully created by Chef Lou to compliment the wines of La Valentina and to present the dishes of the lesser known region of Abruzzo. Andrea di Properzio, owner of La Valentina, will be presenting his family’s wines at the dinner. Please call to reserve, 540-253-5501.

*Profile taken from www.lavelantina.it, visit their website for more

Antipasto di Benvenuto
Welcome appetizer
Cerasuolo d’Abruzzo DOC 2022
~
Scapece alla Vastese
Mussels lightly fried tempura style with saffron
Pecorino ‘Colline Pescaresi’ IGT 2022
~
Timballo Teramano
Layers of scrippelle, paper thin crepes, with a rich ragù and mozzarella, baked
Montepulciano d’Abruzzo Riserva ‘Spelt’ DOC 2018
~
Brasato di Maiale
Local pork braised with peas and cippolini onions, served with it’s braising juices
Montepulciano d’Abruzzo Terre dei Vestini Riserva ‘Bellovedere’ DOC 2019
~
Formaggio
Cheese plate
Montepulciano d’Abruzzo Riserva ‘Binomio’ DOC 2019

*Menu and pairings subject to change based on availability

Collage of photos: Worker holding grapes in vineyard, Di Properzio borthers, Workers in vineyards during harvest, Ageing barrels in wine cellar, Roast pork shoulder with peas and onions

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Apr 1

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A taste of what’s to come this Easter Sunday! Roasted heritage breed rabbit loin stuffed with a mushroom duxel served with rabbit ravioli, and braised lamb shank over spaetzle. Just two of many seasonal dishes offered on this Sunday's featured specials. Have you made your Easter reservation yet?! As always, call to reserve, 540-253-5501. 

Sunday, April 5 with reservations available from 12:00-4:30, with our regular dinner menu and seasonal chef's specials available.
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Mar 26

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Soft shells and Shad roe🥰 Spring has officially sprung at Girasole! Available tonight💫
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Mar 18

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Pizza rustica season is upon us! A rustic, savory torte made with egg, fresh and cured cheeses, and mixed cured meats including spicy salami and prosciutto, all wrapped in a flaky, buttery pastry crust and baked. It’s a Girasole tradition that stems from Chef Lou’s own family and is meant to celebrate the end of Lent. Find pizza rustica on our specials, or order your own pie to enjoy over the Easter holiday with friends and family.

Discover more about the origins of pizza rustica, and Chef Lou's slightly modified family recipe at the link in our story.
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Mar 4

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Rich and creamy butterscotch, topped with salted caramel and freshly whipped cream. Our butterscotch budino is officially back on our dessert tray, but may not be around much longer if temperatures heat up!
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Feb 19

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POSTPONED! To next Sunday, March 1. If you had a reservation, we have already contacted you. If you were unable to make it for its original date of tomorrow, we would love to see you next Sunday, March 1! Just give us a call to reserve, 540-253-5501.
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This Sunday's cooking class is a family affair! Hosted by Chef Lou AND Lydia and featuring dishes from their childhoods, and their travels in Italy over the years.

Discover more at the link in our bio, and as always, call to reserve 540-253-5501. Can the kitchen contain them both?! We will find out Sunday😂
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Jan 28

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Soup for you, and you, and you, AND YOU! Soup with lentils, soup with Tuscan beans and pasta, soup with little tiny tortellini, and soup with whisked egg and parmigiano! These are the soups of Girasole, welcoming you back from a frigid and snow-filled week.

We are open for our regular dinner service tonight and throughout the rest of the week. We hope to see you!
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Jan 14

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Our persimmon tiramisu is really something to talk about. 

At first bite a bit odd, like you're not really understanding what your tasting. The texture is smooth with complex flavors of honey and spice, rich but at the same time delicate. By the end of the first bite, you are in love. 

Available on our dessert tray for only a little while longer as the season for persimmons is finally coming to an end.
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Jan 7

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Rolling into 2026 like...

From cooking classes to our monthly wine tastings to weekly featured cocktail and mocktail specials, 2026 has just arrived and we are not slowing down! Find all the details in our monthly newsletter linked in our story.

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#girasoleva #theplainsva #smallbusiness #familyownedandoperated #22yearsandcounting
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Dec 27

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A taste of what's to come this New Year's Eve on our fixed-price, four course menu! Find the full menu at the link in our bio. Call to reserve your table with us to ring in the New Year, 540-253-5501!
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📸: Swordfish with a puttanesca sauce

📸: Local veal tenderloin pan sautéed with shallots, capers, and white wine

📸: Celery root ravioli served in a sage butter drizzled with aged balsamic from Modena, roasted walnuts
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Dec 18

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From the hills of western Pennsylvania to our village of The Plains, VA! Lydia has outdone herself with this year's 18 ft tree glowing bright on our patio. 

Just one of many trees decorated throughout the restaurant, spreading joy and cheer and that warm holiday feeling to accompany Chef Lou's inspired, seasonal dishes!
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Dec 2

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IT'S ALL HAPPENING THIS SUNDAY! 

A Holiday Wine Tasting featuring champagnes & rare & exceptional bottles from France, our Annual Holiday Art, Wine, & Gift Sale featuring works by internationally renowned printmaker, draftsman and painter (and Chef Lou’s brother) @robert_patierno, and the restaurant will be decorated from head to toe with great big bows, twinkling lights, gorgeous garlands, singing cherubs, and a towering tree on our patio!

Discover more at the links in our bio.
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Nov 13

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Preserving Summer!

Risotto with tomato passata, a concentrated tomato paste or puree made from the last of Chef Lou's heirloom tomatoes from his garden. On our featured specials tonight.
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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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