Girasole — Restaurant in Bound Brook

I came here with my family for my birthday on a recommendation from a dear friend. I made a reservation which I highly recommend, this place gets very busy , especially on weekends. Girasole is a BYOB! Glasses and an ice bucket are supplied. My waiter Pino kept pouring our wine. This Is not a big place, but every table has white linen tablecloths on them which adds to its charm and ambience. I had a fabulous waiter named Pino. My runner was Freddy. I never had to ask for my water to be refilled, or a pour of my wine. The service was spot on. Pino is a very good waiter. He let us know all about the specials, and made recommendations. Whenever we needed something Pino or Freddy was very attentive. On our table we had fresh HOT BREAD( I mean hot which was nice for a change) with OLIVE OIL DIP. Then we were given BRUSCHETTA. Next came a HOUSE SALAD which was simply dressed but good. For appetizer I chose their FRIED CALAMARI. It was cooked perfectly and very tasty. Next came a HOUSE SALAD- it was simply dressed and fresh. I chose FRUTTI DI MARE-linguine with shrimp, scallops, clams, & mussels, in a tomato basil brodetto for my entree. Every bite was wonderful. I took home my leftovers and had it for lunch the next day. My daughter chose RAVIOLI RIPIENI CON FUNGHI-handmade porcini mushroom-filled ravioli with leeks & pancetta in a roasted garlic & rosemary sauce, finished with a touch of cream. My daughter ate every bite, which is so unusual, but she really enjoyed her meal. My boyfriend decided on their VITELLO ISABELLA-pistachio nut crusted scaloppine of veal served with a shiitake mushroom, brandy, & herb sauce. He also cleaned his plate. Girasole’s portions are decent. For dessert my boyfriend and I both chose Crème Brûlée. Mine was served with a candle and everyone sang Happy Birthday to me which was so nice. My daughter had Tiramisu and it too was delicious. To go along with my dessert I also ordered CAPPUCCINO which hit the spot. I really enjoyed my birthday dinner here, and I will definitely...

I went in this evening with a request to purchase two slices of Girasole's amazing chocolate mousse cake for my supervisor and her roommate, who were gracious enough to help me and my car return to Manville from RWJ in New Brunswick. Complications to the procedure and a longer than expected stay made pick up by family members problematic. Since I knew that she absolutely loves chocolate mousse cake (and it isn't readily found!) I figured it would be a perfect "thank you". I explained to the kind woman at the desk why I was there, and she went in the back to get the slices. A few minutes later she came out with the container. She handed it to me and said it was "on the house". I looked up and her and asked "but why?" I thanked her profusely and told her it made me feel like crying! She wished me the best in my recovery and away I (slowly) went. I was so shocked and appreciative of this kind gesture on the part of Girasole. Many blessings and thanks. (p.s. it was quite busy on a Tuesday evening, and it smelled wonderful inside. I hadn't been there since my birthday dinner in July 2024, which...

Our first visit to Girasole was for a recent family gathering, and we were immediately struck by the restaurant's calming atmosphere. The dim lighting and modern Italian decor created a sophisticated yet relaxed setting. The service throughout the evening was impressively attentive, with the waiters expertly handling our large group of nearly 25 people. We were grateful for the thoughtful arrangement of a single long table that kept our party together. Warm bread was served promptly, a welcome start, though the significant wait for the salads meant we filled up on it a bit more than intended. When the main courses arrived, they were generally good. My chicken parm, while a generous portion, was a little thicker than I prefer, and I found the sauce to be somewhat understated. In contrast, the family-style pasta served to the table was a highlight, offering more satisfying flavors. The meal concluded with a delightful variety of desserts, a lovely way to end our first experience at Girasol. Overall, it was a positive and...