Il Girasole Trattoria (2700 N Western Ave.) will offer an homage to northern Italian flavors for their first holiday season.
While the restaurant is new, having opened in the Spring, the owners, Chef Rodolfo Hernandez and General Manager Christian Hernandez (not related) have over two decades of experience working at restaurants, including Riccardo’s, Coco Pazzo, Piccolo Signo, and Bice.
Owners Chef Rodolfo Hernandez and General Manager Christian Hernandez; photo credit Cindy Kurman
Il Girasole Trattoria offers a selection of appetizers designed for happy hour gatherings, parties, and cocktail receptions.
The Tavolacccio provides Italian cold cuts paired with Parmigiano and olives, offering a shareable option to start the meal. The Carpaccio Di Manzo features house-cured filet mignon served with micro arugula and mustard dressing.
Seafood options include the Tartare Di Tonno, which combines ahi tuna tartar, capers, red onion, and avocado, served with lavash. Vegetarian dishes include the Rotolino Di Melanzane Al Forno, a blend of eggplant, sun-dried tomato, and cheeses, and the Fave E Pecorino Tartufato, which pairs fava beans with truffle.
Other menu options include the Fritto Di Mare, featuring fried calamari and vegetables served with spicy Arrabiatta sauce, and the Polpette Alla Arrabiatta, beef meatballs simmered in tomato sauce.
Smaller plates include the Tre Polentine, with polenta crostini topped with gorgonzola and guanciale, and the Calamari Impanati Al Forno, baked calamari with lemon oil dressing.
Top Left: Carpaccio Di Manzo - House cured filet mignon beef carpaccio micro arugula, parmigiano, mustard dressing. Top right: Tavolacccio - Italian Cold Cuts Photo credit: Cindy Kurman; Bottom right: Fritto Di Mare - Fried calamari & veggies, spicy arrabiatta sauce; Bottom Left: Polpette Alla Arrabiatta - Handmade beef meatballs in spicy tomato sauce, photo credit Il Girasole Trattoria
Il Girasole Trattoria’s menu offers Northern Italian cuisine with dishes designed for the holiday season. The Risotto Porcini features aged Carnaroli rice prepared with porcini mushrooms and black winter truffles. Another staple, the Ossobuco Di Milano, pairs braised veal shank with saffron risotto.
Seafood options include the Branzino Al Francese, a Mediterranean sea bass fillet prepared with lemon, capers, white wine, and lobster bisque, served with grilled asparagus. The Spaghetti Frutti Di Mare offers a mix of shellfish and seafood in a tomato-based sauce.
Pasta selections feature house-made dishes such as Gnocchi Al Girasole, with potato gnocchi, lobster, tomatoes, and arugula. The Pappardelle Al Telefono combines tomato sauce, mozzarella, and basil, while the Bucatini Carbonara includes egg yolk, Parmigiano, cream, pancetta, and guanciale.
Dessert options include El Nostro Tiramisu, with espresso-soaked ladyfingers and mascarpone cream, Torta Di Ricotta Con Uva, a ricotta cheesecake with raisins and vanilla ice cream, and La Panna Cotta Con Fragola E Caramello, an eggless custard with strawberries and caramel. The menu offers a variety of traditional Italian dishes to complement seasonal dining.
Il Girasole Trattoria Risotto Porcini - Aged carnoroli rice, fresh porcini mushrooms, & black winter truffles and Gnocchi Al Girasole - Potato gnocchi w/ lobster, fresh tomato & arugula;
Il Girasole Trattoria Branzino Al Francese - Mediterranean Sea bass in lemon capers, white wine & lobster bisque sauce w/grilled asparagus and Robespierre Alla Tagliata - Sliced 12 oz. New York Steak w/ garlic, rosemary, olive oil & micro arugula
Il Girasole Trattoria offers a range of craft cocktails prepared with freshly squeezed juices and house-made syrups. On Tuesdays from 4 PM to 10 PM, the restaurant hosts Ladies Night, featuring $10 cocktails and wine.
For early diners, the restaurant provides a three-course Early Bird Special available daily from 4 PM to 6:30 PM. The menu also includes rotating seasonal specials, which may include dishes like Zuppa De Zucca, a pumpkin soup finished with black truffles and truffle pearls, or Burrata E Prosciutto, featuring mozzarella Burrata served with sliced prosciutto and truffle carpaccio.
Il Girasole Trattoria Strawberry Fields Cocktail and Blood Orange Margarita, photo credit Cindy Kurman
Il Girasole Trattoria (2700 N Western Ave.) will offer an homage to northern Italian flavors for their first holiday season.
While the restaurant is new, having opened in the Spring, the owners, Chef Rodolfo Hernandez and General Manager Christian Hernandez (not related) have over two decades of experience working at restaurants, including Riccardo’s, Coco Pazzo, Piccolo Signo, and Bice.
Il Girasole Trattoria offers a selection of appetizers designed for happy hour gatherings, parties, and cocktail receptions.
The Tavolacccio provides Italian cold cuts paired with Parmigiano and olives, offering a shareable option to start the meal. The Carpaccio Di Manzo features house-cured filet mignon served with micro arugula and mustard dressing.
Seafood options include the Tartare Di Tonno, which combines ahi tuna tartar, capers, red onion, and avocado, served with lavash. Vegetarian dishes include the Rotolino Di Melanzane Al Forno, a blend of eggplant, sun-dried tomato, and cheeses, and the Fave E Pecorino Tartufato, which pairs fava beans with truffle.
Other menu options include the Fritto Di Mare, featuring fried calamari and vegetables served with spicy Arrabiatta sauce, and the Polpette Alla Arrabiatta, beef meatballs simmered in tomato sauce.
Smaller plates include the Tre Polentine, with polenta crostini topped with gorgonzola and guanciale, and the Calamari Impanati Al Forno, baked calamari with lemon oil dressing.
Il Girasole Trattoria’s menu offers Northern Italian cuisine with dishes designed for the holiday season. The Risotto Porcini features aged Carnaroli rice prepared with porcini mushrooms and black winter truffles. Another staple, the Ossobuco Di Milano, pairs braised veal shank with saffron risotto.
Seafood options include the Branzino Al Francese, a Mediterranean sea bass fillet prepared with lemon, capers, white wine, and lobster bisque, served with grilled asparagus. The Spaghetti Frutti Di Mare offers a mix of shellfish and seafood in a tomato-based sauce.
Pasta selections feature house-made dishes such as Gnocchi Al Girasole, with potato gnocchi, lobster, tomatoes, and arugula. The Pappardelle Al Telefono combines tomato sauce, mozzarella, and basil, while the Bucatini Carbonara includes egg yolk, Parmigiano, cream, pancetta, and guanciale.
Dessert options include El Nostro Tiramisu, with espresso-soaked ladyfingers and mascarpone cream, Torta Di Ricotta Con Uva, a ricotta cheesecake with raisins and vanilla ice cream, and La Panna Cotta Con Fragola E Caramello, an eggless custard with strawberries and caramel. The menu offers a variety of traditional Italian dishes to complement seasonal dining.
Il Girasole Trattoria offers a range of craft cocktails prepared with freshly squeezed juices and house-made syrups. On Tuesdays from 4 PM to 10 PM, the restaurant hosts Ladies Night, featuring $10 cocktails and wine.
For early diners, the restaurant provides a three-course Early Bird Special available daily from 4 PM to 6:30 PM. The menu also includes rotating seasonal specials, which may include dishes like Zuppa De Zucca, a pumpkin soup finished with black truffles and truffle pearls, or Burrata E Prosciutto, featuring mozzarella Burrata served with sliced prosciutto and truffle carpaccio.
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