The name means “sunflower” in Italian, so naturally this tiny restaurant glows in an amber hue that calls to mind a rustic roadside taverna in the Veneto, the region northeast of Venice that chef-owner Sonia Tolot hails from. And while the hearty cuisine—about two dozen perfect pastas; cured beef (bresaola) served with arugula and Parmesan and a spike of lemon juice; and a soul-satisfying agnello (lamb) marinated in an inky stew of wine and spices—might be from northeastern Italy, an effect on the ceiling that simulates light reflecting off water makes it feel more like you’re eating across the piazza from the Trevi, in Rome. The crowd of Hancock Park regulars that congregate at Girasole on crisp fall evenings is every bit as animated as you’d predict in such a setting, where you half expect to see Vespas careening by outside. Enjoy a daily-changing variety of specials such as fresh linguini with vanilla clams or roasted rabbit Veneto with polenta and borlotti beans, but watch your Italian pronunciation; the waiters are no Italian fantasy and they will correct you. Is everybody having fun at Girasole? Maybe it’s all that yellow paint, or perhaps those really are Vespas outside?

Bresaola with arugula and Parmesan
Pappardelle in mushroom cream sauce
Pumpkin soup
Agnello (lamb stew) in wine, spices and lemon
Orange cake (a moist cake made with orange zest and marmalade)
view full menu here

The two-tops in the front window under the twinkling lights are perfect for a date—right out of that romantic comedy you loved but never admit having seen.

Girasole does not have a liquor license, but it also has no corkage fee. Happily, Larchmont Village Wine, Spirits & Cheese is right next door.

lunch: Tues.–Fri. 12 noon–3 PM
dinner: Tues.–Sun. 5:30 PM–10 PM

$12 (choice of pasta al pomodoro) to $25 (salmon fillet)