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| - Yes, this restaurant is as good as it gets! This is not your run of the mill, saucy, cheesy laden Italian fare. NO, this is classic and clean. The ambiance reminded me of a little trattoria in Florence. Tiny with warm brick walls and air filled with great aroma's that would remind you of being in Nonna's kitchen.
My mother and I were visiting my daughter who is attending college in Pittsburgh. We arrived from NJ late but wanted a very nice dinner.
I remember Girasole from another time I visited the city but didn't have the opportunity then. Too bad really, I've been missing out all this time.
When we arrived, the nice lady took our name and said it was going to be a little while for us to be seated. There was no wait, it was immediate!
It was so busy in the restaurant but the lovely ladies who served us made the time to be extremely pleasant and attentive. We first ordered the Antipasto, it was great with prosciutto, soppressata, cheeses, grilled artichokes, olives and roasted tomatoes. Mom and I ordered their Linguine Rustic and my daughter had the Gnocchi. OMG, I have had linguine in clam sauce before, but NOT like this. It was homemade pasta with so many clams in a wonderfully light clam sauce/both. I tasted the Gnocchi and they were like little pillows of air. We enjoyed our dinner so much that we decided to make reservations for the next night (Good Friday)
On Friday we got there a little earlier than our reservations, but no problem we were seated immediately. Our first course was the bruschetta with ricotta, mint pesto, buttery pine nuts and grilled artichoke. It was a great start. My daughter and I ordered the Mushroom soup, it was so delicious I really wanted to order a container to take with me. It was full of mushrooms and a hint of white wine and parmesan cheese. We all ordered the scallops, mom and I had it with the polenta, my daughter does not like polenta and the waitress advised they are accommodating and changed it out for the gnocchi. Well, this dish did not disappoint at all, buttery, sweet and tender large sea scallops over creamy, cheesy polenta and topped with spicy arugula. This is a dish that I will definitely be returning for.
The owner was so sweet both nights giving us a plate of home roasted peppers. Yummm is all I can say!!!
Next time in Pittsburgh this will be my go to place for wonderful Italian food.
Thank you, Girasole for make our weekend memorable.
Lisa
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