Girasole

Love this place! Cute little Italian place, perfect for a date night or special occasion. Their drinks, wedding soup, and in the fall the seasonal pumpkin ravioli with sage cream sauce is AMAZING! The staff were nice and seem to enjoy working there, and Mr. G the owner is super nice and stays involved often seating guest, answering phones and thanking people when they leave. Highly recommen, but it's fairly small and they don't take reservations, so for lunch during the week or dinner on the weekend get there early if possible (by 4:30 or 5 pm and you shouldn't have to wait). There is a little more seating outside on the patio during the summer too. Tiramisu for dessert was also delicious!

A self-identified “Italian” eatery makes a Foodie have high expectations…. and then finds the food is eatable BUT MEDIOCRE AND OVERPRICED. Authenticity is also somewhat dubious with food listing of pasta with chicken (an anathema for any true Italian chef🫤🫤🫤)…. The menu is very short, a listing of familiar comfort foods and NOTHING REALLY SPECIAL. Not a creative or daring menu at all !!!???!!! — the odd thing is the section of fish/chicken/meat: it is a general statement that these are served. A PROUD ITALIAN WOULD GIVE A LITTLE MORE THAN DESCRIPTION🫤🫤🫤…. One gets the impression the cook may not be conversant with diversity and special features of Italian cuisine. 👎👎👎 The Antipasti is haphazard collection of CHILLY COLD foods. - 😖😖the Prosciutto is nothing more than cold strips of very pale American ham… CERTAINLY DOES NOT HAVE THE FLAVOR AND TEXTURE OF AGED prosciutto crudo or cotto. - 😖😖the worst are the cheeses: absolutely NOT ITALIAN BUT HIGHLY PROCESSED nondescript and flavorless curd. 😑😑😑 the Escarole & Beans are good tasting at first spoon… BUT THEN FOLLOWED BY A TART TASTE THAT LINGERS. - the optional extra Meatballs and Sausage are actually good 😊… BUT THE TART SAUCE STICKS IN THE PALATE that one cannot savor neither meats. 🤗🤗🤗 the saving grace, or redemption of the evening, is the short wine listing… A VERY INTELLIGENT SELECTED LIST OF VINO ITALIANO… - the Chianti Classico DOCG is just about the only thing enjoyable for the evening😎. Floral bouquet and berries, very smooth tannin…. GREAT CLEANSER OF THE PALATE from the tart sauce and the dismal antipasti. 👎👎👎👎👎 Coffee is a travesty… Double Espresso served in a large mug… it also tastes a tad burnt…. PLEASE NOTE: Espresso was invented in Italy!!!!!! FOOD IS OVERRATED AND OVERPRICED. The place is small sub-basement room that is somewhat cozy… BUT THE TABLES ARE CRAMPED, AND BECOMES VERY LOUD WHEN IT GETS FILLED UP, that dinner is not relaxing anymore as one has to shout for conversation. NO NO NOT RECOMMENDED.

We had a great time at Girasole in Shadyside. The live guitar singer added such a fun touch to the evening — definitely a highlight during parts of our meal. The house salad was fresh and delicious, and the pasta dishes were enjoyable overall. We thought the meatballs could have been a bit larger and had more of a homemade taste, but the tomato cream sauce was rich and flavorful. Our waiter was incredibly attentive and friendly, and the hostess was an absolute delight — she even sang a couple of songs, which made the night even more memorable! The only downside was the wait: it took about 40 minutes to get a table for our group of five, and the food took quite a while to arrive after ordering. We hope they can expand into the space next door, which would definitely help with the seating situation. That said, we’ll definitely be back for the fun vibe and warm atmosphere!

I loved every detail about this restaurant. It's a beautiful, quaint, little place. I honestly love how packed it gets. I love seeing every single table full with people passing plates around. Aside from that the noise is comforting as it tells me people are indulging in one another and not their phones. The whole place runs like a well oiled machine! The food though?! TOP NOTCH!!! Get the burrata app with the corn. It was phenomenal. Our dinners? Equally as delicious! We got the potato gnocchi and the Pollo. Then came the desserts... scratch made and decadent. I'd eat the chocolate cake 10 times over and I'm not even someone that likes chocolate all like that!! First visit and definitely not my last!

Food is delicious and the portion is large!! Service is friendly and fast — despite the restaurant was very busy and we sat outside, the server was able to check in with us 3-4 times. Love the whole experience! Only downside the inside is very crowded, and loud because the business owner put too many table inside the restaurant, the AC was not working well. Glad we picked outside.

I love when a place has just enough food selection on the menu. I don't need to think too much, I don't need to read for 30 min and I don't need to ask the waiter about overly complicated menu items. You want pasta great, here are 4 options, you want something else, here are 4 other options. (I forget exactly number) Waiters were great, not too nice that I'd think it's a fancy place, and not too rude that I'd think its a bad place, just my type of crowd. Food was great, personally I'd prefer a bit more food, but I believe they give you healthy enough portions that you are guaranteed to finish, with a soup or salad, and enough space for dessert where you're not left bloated. Def recommend, def get a reservation, and def sit outside if you can, it's too dark inside and cramped.

I keep thinking about my experience at Girasole. What a lovely place to have dinner! Very busy, but super accommodating. You'll be squeezed in where you fit and given very charismatic service and absolutely delicious food. The bread was delicious, drinks were great, and this food was to die for. My partner and I split the ravioli and the kitchen split it onto two plates without us asking, which I thought was a really professional touch. The mussels were incredible, and the desserts were just the perfect cap on it. Will be coming back for a fun, delicious Italian meal!

Girasole is a hidden gem in Pittsburgh. Every time my wife and I are in town for a night out it’s hands down our favorite place. If you’re into Olive Garden and cookie cutter Italian food this isn’t for you. If want authentic food in an intimate atmosphere with friendly, attentive staff go out of your way to try this place. The Pollo (chicken breast with mushrooms, prosciutto and gravy over polenta) is incredible. This is a small, family owned restaurant that never disappoints.

Wonderfull service and amazing food! You are greeted at the door immediately. Intimate setting, warm friendly atmosphere, food is great from the bread to the salad & simple main courses packed with flavor.

Wow. This place was delicious. This is my first time visiting Pittsburgh, and the first restaurant I ate at. What a great culinary introduction to the city. I ordered the spinach ravioli and it was so yummy. The service was very welcoming, and there was live music performances. Would recommend this place for both locals and travelers.

I loved it here so much! I thought of about 6 different people I want to take back. My husbands pumpkin ravioli in creamy sage sauce was soo good!! They were kind to my 7 year old and he loved the little oil dispenser with the bread service. He also loved the chocolate cake which we brought home for dessert. It was a bit pricey so perfect for special occasions. The owners were a table behind us and everyone seemed to know them. They were so kind also. Its a really small space and even late afternoon they were able to sit us with no wait.

We've been coming to Girasole's for years. Can't t imagine how I haven't reviewed it. The food is always solid. The pasta fresh and sauces interesting, though right now, I'm not wild about their "summer menu." The burrata with roasted corn is a good app, but the pastas are kind of uninspired. It's a bunch of penne (not my fave) and you add a protein topping with either marinara or meat sauce (not sure how that says "summer"); linguine with clam sauce & spinach (pretty tasty); and a lukewarm spinach spaghetti w/ tomatoes, corn, & mozz (this one actually says "summer"!), and a couple other options, gnocchi & red sauce, lobster & squid ink pasta. The place is tiny - cave-like with stone walls. Nice ambiance most of the time. No reservations anymore - so you really can end up waiting for a bit. But - walk around the Shadyside shops. No biggie! **BUT** - in summer, be warned, the place can be an OVEN inside. I'm talking - sweating while you eat. There are a few outside tables - if the sun has gone down, that's a good option. I used to find the owner, Jimmy, charming. He'd greet you and really make a show of it. But these days, not so much. I recently got takeout, and he was so rude to a young server, I was embarrassed for her and almost said something to defend the poor young woman. Anyway, it's not the best Italian the city has to offer, but we always have a solid meal when we dine here. We'll be back, although with a bit more trepidation & hoping the other night was just a fluke.

I found the food and the atmosphere to be absolutely phenomenal. I did feel the service was lacking at times and wasn't quite sure why or what was exactly going on. The pasta and the in house made dessert were also terrific. I'd love to try more dishes here.

Girasole is the spot for Italian food in pittsburgh. I had to come for their final week of having the squid ink lobster linguine before they rotate their menu to more fall style dishes. Can't wait for my next visit!

A great cozy neighborhood Italian spot that has solid American Italian food. It's a true family joint, and the portions are hearty (prices are moderate). They have rotating seasonal menus. Also, they have a nice BYOB that is $15 per head, but their wine menu is also great. Love this spot!

We went to Girasole for dinner last night and while there was a bit of a wait because the inside is tiny and cozy, it was absolutely worth it! We got the escarole with beans and sausage to share and the flavor was so good that I may have eaten more than my fair share. The house soup (which was cream of broccoli yesterday but it changes) was piping hot and perfect for yesterday's weather. The pasta dishes we got were simple yet very well done. My orecchiette had a bit of a kick to it which I loved. We randomly got live music and being serenaded added to the ambiance. Of course we needed to end the meal with a sweet treat and if you love lemon then the lemon cake here is an absolute must! One thing to note that when you show up, you give your name to an older gentleman (I forgot his name but he's most likely wandering around with a glass of wine) and he coordinates things to get you a table. Your entire party must be there and there's no waitlist. I will emphasize again that it is tiny in there so personally I wouldn't go with a group of bigger than four people unless you go at a very off time and they're empty and not busy.

Once again back at this spot and once again good as ever. The love and care the owner puts into this place never goes unnoticed while enjoying live music over homemade pasta! Thanks for existing the same time as my little Italian heart!

This has been on my list for a while now and so glad I got to go. There's no reservations so I was worried we'd have to wait a while but we were immediately sat down at a seat outside. The vibes take me back to a family run restaurant in Italy. The owner is checking in on everyone with a glass of wine in hand. The burrata was amazing, so fresh and loved the charred corn it came with. Literally ate every morsel off the plate. The linguine rustic was light and simple and the pasta was cooked perfectly al dente. The portions are big. The cocktail list was small but the Italian man, Girasole Cosmo and Aperol spritz were delicious. This place is perfect for a warm summer night.

Excellent food. Portions were a good size. Friendly attitude towards customers. Family feel

Girasole is definitely a top 5 in Pittsburgh. The atmosphere, food, and staff is outstanding. The live music just added to the ambiance even more! It was my birthday dinner and I was even sang to:) The space is small but everyone in there was so kind. I felt like I was an Italy for a night! We will definitely be back.

We've been enjoying Girasole's since its beginning 25 years ago! Its excellence has not faltered one bit! We love the staff and yes Jimmy Pie and Vinny bring the show to you! Sophia Loren lines the walls as their first love! It's trendy noisy close together seating but you won't hear a word the table beside you is saying because of the fun-loving noise level of neighborhood and family vibe and the delish menu from apps to dessert! Resers are smart but as we saw Saturday night the line continues all night for welcome walk-ins! Wedding soup. Salad. Salmon. Pumpkin sage raviolis (fall menu delight). Warm Bread pudding with a birthday candle will not disappoint! Wine and martinis a must! Leftovers for sure as you walk out the door! Special thx to our fabulous server Ashley and Vinny and j. Pie making it so special and fun! See you again soon! Thank you! And thank you to Sophia for being ever-present!

Service was excellent!! One of the most authentic Italian restaurants in Pittsburgh located right in the heart of Shadyside. Everything was delicious! The Caesar salad had walnuts on it which I thought was a nice twist to a traditional Caesar salad. The mussels in spicy red sauce and ravioli were excellent. The whole atmosphere of the restaurant felt very traditional. The tables are very close together they definitely squeeze you in the there but it adds to the ambiance of the restaurant. They even had a customer do an Acapella performance of My Way and it was excellent. I felt like I was back in Italy! I cannot recommend this place enough.

If you love a perfected small menu, cozy dinner, this place is for you! The owner greats you when you walk in, and for a Tuesday night, it was packed! Highly recommend getting there around 6 before the big dinner crowd comes around, as they currently aren't taking reservations! They have a guitarist Tues-Thurs nights and it was so fun! We ended up staying til close, chatting with the owner and singing along to the music. Food was delicious and vibes are 10/10!

I went to Girasole on a Wednesday night and they were very busy! The do not take reservations, but luckily they had a table for us in the very back right by the kitchen. We were greeted by the famous Jimmy Pi who had his iconic glass of wine in his hand. IYKYK. We ordered the burrata, potato gnocchi, and penne marinara. The burrata was extremely delicious. Some of the best burrata I have ever had! The charred corn & heirloom tomato salad that accompanied it was amazing; I couldn't get enough. My gnocchi was pretty good. My boyfriend got the penne and there was not a bite left. The vibe is definitely old school, casual Italian restaurant, which was cool to see because we really don't go to places like this that often. There was live music, people were dancing, it was just a fun vibe.

i love girasole! the owner is my favorite, and the atmosphere is always PHENOMENAL! you may have to wait a bit, but it is always worth it. all the food i've ever gotten there is wonderful, and their pasta is to die for.

BEWARE THE WOMAN IN GLASSES AT THE FRONT DOOR. BEYOND UNACCEPTABLE. I have been going to Girasole for years and am beyond disappointed with our recent attempted dining experience. I arrived with our party last night (Saturday) after calling ahead earlier in the week (Tuesday) to reserve a table. Upon our arrival we were told our table was not ready, not an issue to have to wait since we were a larger party and we are accustomed to a little wait due to their limited capacity and it is always worth the wait. Where you lost me for life is when I checked back in with the woman at the front door 30 minutes later and she proceeded to curse me out in front of several other guest that were also waiting for their table. I was told, and I quote: "What the fuck would you like me to do, you can clearly see we are very busy and I can't just tell people to get the fuck up and leave so I can seat you and your friends". If you can not honor reservations then you should tell people that when they call five days in advance. You should be mortified by the behavior of the woman you had running your door 11/15/2025. Myself and all Other parties waiting instantly turned around and went elsewhere. Appalling disgusting behavior and a shame to lose this as one of our go to places. NEVER AGAIN!

Still love this place but please please tell the kitchen staff to turn their music down. I love a good rap or hip hop song but doesn't go with the Italian music they are playing in the restaurant. We were hearing two vibes at once. Especially when you're seated close to the kitchen. The waitress asked them to turn it down and they did, but then they turned it right back up.

Girasole is a really fun experience -- if you can get a table. I've gone 3 times (only 2 successfully). The first was in the summer and we sat outside on their patio area. We waited about 20 minutes before getting seated. It was lovely and service was really great. I enjoyed the squid ink pasta (4/5)! The second time I went on a Thursday and sat inside. My friends and I got lucky - we were able to walk right in, no wait!! I didn't know they had live music but it was amazing and I really enjoyed it! People were singing and dancing, the vibes were incredible. I had the ravioli (3.5/5). I will say, I found the tables to be a bit cramped inside so I would have preferred to sit outside like I did the first time. The third time I went, I brought my family for my mom's birthday. After my last visit there, I really wanted her to experience the awesome ambiance to celebrate her birthday. It was a Wednesday night and they don't take reservations. I wasn't overly worried given it was a weekday and assumed maybe there would be a short wait. We were told 20 mins however over an hour later it didn't seem like there would be a table coming up anytime soon. Another group of 4 was waiting for over an hour like us, and they were told a 15 min wait. The restaurant didn't have much of a system for how they took names. It was very haphazard. There was a group that came 30 mins after we did, seemed to know the owner and got seated before the long line of people waiting outside. With a line as long as there was, I understand using connections to get in but it felt pretty unfair to the crowd of us who had been waiting. I noticed that multiple tables would pay their bill and then just sit around at their table for a long time afterwards. I can see how this can be tricky for the restaurant to anticipate how long it would take for a table to get free. After about 80 mins of waiting we decided to go and drive to a different restaurant so that at least we could get my mom's birthday dinner somewhere by the end of the night (it was nearing 8:30pm and Girasole closes at 9pm - it was a long shot to get seated and actually have enough time to eat at that point).

This is an uncommonly special restaurant that my daughter brought me to. Ownership (and family and friends) are visible and engaging together with patrons, and makes all feel welcome, whether it is their 100th time dining, or their 1st. I have a hunch this is a place where patrons come both often and regularly- and they all have their regular seat at their regular table, and their regular order. When we left it was as if we left not just an amazing restaurant with authentic and delicious food, but a dinner theater party at a good friend's home. There was live music with Ownership, staff and patrons performing duets alongside one another. All of this was really warm to witness and I consider myself lucky to have been brought here. Again, this is a special restaurant. I'm definitely coming back next time I'm in town, and bringing the rest of my family!

Horrible horrible service and conduct. I made a reservation for Mother's Day at 5:30pm. I show up and guess what?.... The old timer who was hosting greets me as I explained to him my name and 5:30pm reservation. He looks at me and goes, this group in front of you and this group and this group and shows me four different families. I said, I have a 5:30pm reservation... do they? He responded with, "what you want a me to do? It's a Mother's Day?" Ohhhh I don't know, maybe honor the reservation I made a week before? Maybe tell me over the phone you aren't doing Mother's Day reservations? We left and went somewhere else that has more integrity and honor in their behavior!

Girasole takes Italian hospitality to the nth degree. The staff, the ambiance, the food just feels and tastes like home. We started with the Brachetto wine and it was sooo delish. Sweet, bubbly, fun. Next up was the wedding soup. Oooof I slurped up that soup so fast. It was so yummy. Great for dipping their yummy bread into too. My main was the tortelloni. The cream sauce was soo good. Really creamy and sweet. The prosciutto added the perfect savory touch to the buttery soft noodles. While peas aren't my favorite, I'd eat just about anything in that sauce. Everything was lovely and #GOUDapproved TORTELLONI Light cream, peas. prosciutto $25 (comes with soup or salad) Brachetto Glass $15

PIE was so ignorant and drinking wine (he told us) nasty man and nasty heart breaking statements about his wife. WE CAME TO EAT! HUNGRY, TIRED FROM TRAVEL AND WANTED QUIET We got the worse pasta, chi ken and a simple salad. omg NO BREAD, NO THANK YOU, Pie drunk and disgusting. Will cancle our cc and NO THANK YOU.

Met some friends at Girasole on a Saturday evening. You cannot make reservations, so we just had to chance it. We had to wait about 45 minutes (we got there around 6), so the wait wasn't terrible. The place itself is very small and very warm inside (in the summer). We were able to sit right outside the restaurant under a covered porch. We started with the greens and beans, which were delicious. I ordered the spinach spaghetti (which is served at room temp), and my friends each ordered the penne marinara with meatballs and the linguine rustic. All of our food was delicious and you can tell it's made from the heart. I'm glad I had to chance to try this out place!

This was such a lovely experience, I try to be a bit discerning with what I give a 5 star rating and Girasole absolutely earned it. This is a cute restaurant in a walkable, fun neighborhood. It's tucked in a lower level and I almost missed it from the street, and parking can be challenging. When we arrived we were warmly greeted and ushered into our seats. This is a small space, it does add to the cozy vibe but the only downside to my dining experience was it was bit overwhelming being seated at a table that was pulled out partially into the walk way to make a 4 top into 2 2 tops. But literally everything else was perfect. The menu is short and sweet, nothing over the top with a long list of ingredients. Basic dishes with simple, high-quality ingredients. You wouldn't expect spinach and ricotta ravioli in a simple cream red sauce to be earth-shattering but it really was. Every flavor was so well-balanced, the texture was perfect. I generally don't care for red sauce but this sauce was so good I ate the leftovers with bread. The bread? Also delicious. They even gave us extra when my kid asked (more like demanded, we're working on it) for more. The soup was delicious, I made sure to finish every drop. My kid got penne marinara, I did note that there wasn't a kids menu listed and just figured I'd eat his leftovers for lunch but I was asked if I wanted a kids portion. So that's good to know for any parents who might be looking to come here with the whole family. The staff was very nice. They were very busy but my iced tea stayed full and service was prompt. I'm not local to Pittsburgh but I will most definitely be back and will recommend Girasole to anyone I know who will be in the area.

I think about this pasta every night when I get hungry. Not only is the food here good, but the environment, energy and ambiance was amazing as well. I went here for my 21st and I picked a good place to celebrate! Not only did I get some good drinks, but their live music performer sang me happy birthday, along with the rest of the restaurant! Would 100% recommend if you're looking for a nice dinner place.

Service was very friendly, our waitress recommended the burrata appetizer to start which was very light and tasty. I also had the potato gnocchi which was extremely salty. The restaurant is in the basement of a building so it is very dark and has limited seating indoors. The outdoors seating is nice if the weather is good. The live music is interesting and quite loud,

Go. Love the old school nature of this place. Escarole and beans are amazing, hell, everything is outstanding..... Forgetaboutit. Love the hustle, love the noisy back ground. Reminds me of an Italian restaurant on Arthur Ave in the Bronx. GO.

This was such a lovely place. I came here with girlfriend and we both love it here. We started off with cabernet and complimentary bread and there's olive oil and balsamic vinegar on the table for you to create your own dipping sauce. Enreeea come with salad or soup. I got tjw weddimg soup and it was so good. In attition to meatballs, there was shredded chicken breast and egg in it. She got a salad and had shrimp added to it. We both got the rustic clam linguine and it was absolutely delicious. Noodles were al dente. No left overs for me! Finished our meal with house-made tirimisu that came with a side of fresh blueberries and strawberries and whipped cream. Service was on point! We have added this to one of our go-to spots next time I come back to visit Pittsburgh.

Third visit trying with their classic marinara penne with meatball. They prove the marinara sauce can be also tasty without having to be sugary or creamy. But the squid ink linguine is always the best in my heart!

A cozy Italian restaurant with delicious food! The inside is intimate - the tables are packed together and it's loud when busy. I went on a Friday at 8 and was seated right away. The food came out quickly. The waitress was accommodating of my gluten allergy. Theres a large selection of wine and a few cocktails on the menu. The prices are appropriate for the serving size. I appreciate that they don't skimp out on the salad toppings!

Girasole has such a special place in my heart. I lived so close by and I'm upset I only went once because the vibe is fantastic! If you go on the right day they have live music performed by the most adorable Italian family members. Their performances are just incredible and really liven up the whole restaurant -- it's hard not to have a good time. Everyone was clapping along and smiling while they were singing and it's so wholesome! That in itself earns this place 5 stars. The food itself tastes very fresh and homemade. I got the gnocchi with meatballs, which is served in a red sauce. It was really tasty and texture of the gnocchi was on point. Comes with a side salad, and portions are honestly pretty big which is so rare for Italian restaurants these days! There's always a huge wait especially on live music days, so just be prepared for a line out the door. However, once you're inside, you're treated like family :) One of my favorite dining experiences ever.

My wife and I stopped in on Sunday for a date without the kids. I'd advise to get their right when they open to get a table. It's a small restaurant with great ambiance. Copper tables, exposed rocks, picks of sunflowers, pictures of family and celebrities. The service was impeccable and the owner walked around with his red wine directing everyone. I don't know if you could feel more Italian while sitting in Pittsburgh. The food was ok. We had wedding soup and salad, which was ok but not memorable. The pumpkin ravioli was great! The pancetta was perfect with the slightly sweet pumpkin and walnut for texture. Looking through pictures, it doesn't look consistent night to night...so I'm happy mine was excellent. The gnocchi was more disappointing. The sauce was a tad acidic and a little bland. It was still ok, but not memorable.

This place is way too expensive for food that isn't all that. The pasta I got was mainly sauce, and it was too flavorful in a bad way. The food is really mid, and at this price and with the amount of time you will be waiting in line to get in... I do not suggest this place.

I love this place! The atmosphere, the food, the kind gentleman who always seats me. It's just amazing from start to finish. Don't skip the greens and beans it's heavenly.

Love this place. Feels like a place where "everybody knows your name". Found it by mistake because place we originally went to stopped serving at 7 pm. Very homey feel. Super sweet staff. Loved the house salad dressing. Big portions. They had live music. This old guy sang 70's songs and he was so good!! Great guitarist too.

These meatballs are to die for. It's a small intimate atmosphere and I believe the people that run this truly care and want you to have an excellent dinner . A date night must or some fun for a girls night!

We have been twice and WE LOVE THIS PLACE! It feels like Italy- we went last summer and man, have we missed it... but go here! The food, the atmosphere... just superb! Service was impeccable!

This tiny place is a hidden in shady side. I've been here twice now and I will 100% be back for a third time. Their menu might be small but it's full of some amazing dishes! I had the gnocchi and a house salad on the side, both were fantastic! Their pasta dish is one of my favorites in the city! I can't wait to go back and try something else off their menu!

How do you describe the feeling of knowing you're home when you've just walked into a place you've never stepped foot in? But that's how i felt. i was greeted by a distinguished older gentleman sitting in a chair. He was as Italian as they come. "How many?", he asked politely. "You're looking at it", i responded. He would jokingly look behind me, as if to make sure i was in fact alone. i would assure him, jokingly, that it really was just me. He would get up and walk me to my table. And in that briefest of moments, i knew i had come to the right place. i was home. i would sit down and he would walk over and introduce himself. This man was none other than Mr. Gerasole, and this was his restaurant. He would tell me he's had the restaurant for 24 years. i stood there, speechless, thinking what an honor it was just to meet the man who owned this restaurant. He asked my name. And i responded with: "shoaib" but it's pronounced "show-abe". He would repeat it back as if he'd known me for years. Remembering - and pronouncing - someone's name is a lost art. i try and remember everyone's name, in hopes they will remember mine. But Mr. Gerasole got it right, and got it right the first time. He would proceed to ask me if i was of Mediterranean descent. Syrian? Turkish? Spanish? i answered "Yes" to all of those. Having a tannish complexion, and two white grandmothers raises a lot of interesting questions about your true origin. A topic i enjoy when introducing myself. After hearing this, he would say: "You're like the League of Nations". My experience at this quaint, family-run, italian restaurant would only get better. i ordered a Salad and my main course. i was served the most delicious bread, one best enjoyed with olive oil and pepper (and a dash of salt). There was a tiny "old style" bottle of olive oil on every table, one with two spouts. i don't recall ever seeing that but it made the most sense. Why have one spout on the top, and another on the side? Well... why not? it was functional and for the first time i felt like i had a choice as to which spout i'd use when pouring out the olive oil in a small round plate. My recommendation - on this most insignificant of details - is to use the side spout. The caesar salad was delicious, a word i never thought i'd use to describe salad. The caesar dressing was rich, creamy, and each helping left you wanting more. Out of fear that i'd run out of room soon if i didn't stop, i set the caesar goodness aside. i wasn't done. i didn't want to be done. i was just "pausing". The main course was served with lobster sauce, cheese, and a pasta i don't recall ever having before. it was The Best. here i was, having met the man who started it all, almost a quarter century ago... enjoying The Best italian meal i have ever had. it was my good fortune to have stepped into this fine establishment. My server, Anthony, was so courteous and explained all the available options and never once did i feel rushed. As luck would have it, i failed to save room for Dessert. But that's what "to go" boxes are for. i had the pasta packed up and requested the only logical choice when it comes to an Italian dessert... Tiramisu. Later that evening, i would heat up the pasta and enjoy the Tiramisu. Truth be told, i would probably go back for the Tiramisu alone. i hope this review finds its way to people that enjoy great food, a great story, and great individuals like Mr. Gerasole. Thank You Mr. Gerasole, and Thank You Anthony, for making my visit an unforgettable one.

I've been wanting to go to Girasole for several years and finally got the chance. I went with a small group of friends to celebrate our friends new job. I was warned that this place is tiny but it really is TINY. The tables are pretty close to each other. We were seated in the back, which I feel like was one of the better options so you don't have as many people trying to get by you. We got there right around 6:15 which was prefect because there were a few tables open but by 7 it was completely full with a growing line out the door. We got the mussels to share. They were very tasty! And the sauce was perfect - was great to dip the bread in. For my main course I got the gnocchi- which was fine. I was definitely jealous of my friend who order the raviolis. This place had a great vibe and the service was great! Will definitely be back!

The most romantic restaurant in Pittsburgh. Beautiful atmosphere & even better when the acoustic guitarist is there to play. The perfect date night spot or get together with close friends / family. I have been here many times and I have never been disappointed. I love the food - the selection is vast and the staff is always beyond friendly and accommodating

This restaurant is so cute! Very tucked away, very intimate. Loved the copper tables. It is very tight! You'll be sitting extremely close to other people and it can get very loud. Service was great, fast and efficient. She had good suggestions for us as well. I loved my caeser salad with walnuts instead of croutons - interesting and delicious choice! I ordered the spinach and ricotta ravioli. The raviolis were delicious but wow was there too much sauce for me. I'll ask for light sauce next time. I also got the Girasole mule. It was decent, didn't love the vodka (I'm not a Wigle fan though so that's understandable). We had looked forward to cannolis for dessert but sadly they were sold out - next time!!

Cute older man owns this place and is the host. He sat us down. We had an awesome waiter and the food was amazing. Service amazing. You just have to go here. Trust me. We sat outside during golden hour and it felt like a dream

We enjoyed our first visit to Girasole's. I would have given 5 stars but it was so uncomfortably loud in there. Was jam packed for a Wednesday night. Every seat was full and the outside was even taken up. The service was great, water was kept full and meals arrived timely. I had the sausage bean soup which tasted along the lines of minestrone. Also enjoyed the potato gnocchi with fresh mozzarella. Portion size was decent.

Great food, service, ambiance. What more can you ask? How about a welcoming, involved owner and great entertainment Thursday-Sunday? This place has it all.

The place is small but was delightful on a warm summer day. We ate downstairs. Service was fast and friendly. I ordered pasta with sausage. The sausage was delicious. The pasta sauce was just ok. The gentleman sitting at the entrance siping wine and smiling and talking to everyone was probably the owner. The atmosphere is lovely, the food is good but very overpriced. I doubt we will be back, but everyone is different. It's worth a try either way.

From out of town- used Yelp to find this gem. Tuesday night- 7:00 pm. No reservation. Place was full of energy. Got a table inside right away. People enjoying wine, food, and the music. Laughter and conversation throughout. Try this one out- you won't be disappointed. Food was fantastic (I got the chix penne), service was great, and on this night (Tuesday) there was live music that added to the fun experience. Throw in that the owner walked around thanking patrons for their support and I am sure you too will have a memorable experience. I'll be back. It's that good.