February 5, 2025

Restaurateur Antonio Bevacqua Opens Northern Italian-inspired Il Girasole At South Coast Collection In Costa Mesa

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BALTIMORE, MD (February 5, 2025) – Il Girasole, a Northern Italian-inspired restaurant owned by Antonio Bevacqua, recently opened within South Coast Collection (SoCo), a 292,000 square foot luxury home furnishing and design lifestyle center in Costa Mesa, California. Bevacqua, who studied his craft at culinary schools in Italy and later managed restaurants throughout California, plans to hold a grand opening for the 3,000 square foot restaurant on February 6. The space is situated between Butcher’s House and Arc Food & Libations.

Bevacqua, who relocated to the United States from Italy in 2003, has deep experience in the restaurant industry, with a special emphasis on upscale establishments, including Michelin-rated concepts in Europe. His goal is to create “a true restaurant destination in Costa Mesa” using locally-sourced and imported ingredients to provide residents of Southern California with “a different and highly-unique Italian restaurant experience.”

“A large segment of the population believes that Italian food consists of lasagna, spaghetti and meatballs, pizza and some pasta dishes,” Bevacqua said. “Il Girasole was designed to be the exact opposite of this thinking by offering highly-creative and chef-driven cuisine that customers will not find at other restaurants. A memorable meal is a multi-sensory experience which combines presentation, high quality, and taste along with great service in an aesthetically-pleasing environment. Every element needs to be perfect, and that is what we intend Il Girasole to consistently provide.”

Signature Il Girasole dishes will include Duck Pappardelle and Filetto cacio e pepe. The restaurant, which features indoor and al fresco dining for nearly 75 people, also has a small bites menu with highlights including Spanish octopus, grilled calamari, and sushi-grade yellowtail tuna. Il Girasole also has a wine locker program that offers memberships, as well as an extensive cocktail list that will change with the seasons and availability of ingredients.

The restaurant, whose name translates to “sunflower,” is currently operating under a “soft opening” status in preparation for its February 6 grand opening.

“When looking for a retail location, South Coast Collective was my absolute first choice,” Bevacqua explained. “The center’s direct access to a major highway attracted me initially, as it makes our concept easy to visit from Huntington Beach, Newport Beach, and other areas. The nearby commercial district will be convenient for businesspeople to enjoy lunch, and the surrounding consumer demographics are terrific.

“We also like the fact that consumers are presently visiting the center’s restaurant roster, so they are in the habit of thinking about SoCo when making dining choices,” he added. “We aim to provide a compelling new option in the Southern California area.”

Constructed in 2007 and located at 3303-3323 Hyland Avenue in Orange County on a 20-acre site with 1,000 feet of frontage on the San Diego Freeway (Interstate 405), SoCo is anchored by COCO Republic, Design Within Reach, La-Z-Boy, and Paul Mitchell the School, with additional retailers including Brown Jordan, Natuzzi Italia, and Room & Board. Restaurants and food concepts include Arc Food and Libations, Butcher’s House, Greenleaf Kitchen & Cocktails, Moulin, and Portola Coffee.

“We are truly impressed by Antonio’s vision and have great confidence in his ability to bring his plans to life, establishing Il Girasole as a must-visit destination at SoCo,” said Kristina O’Keefe, Vice President of the Commercial Division at CRC. “Distinctive restaurants are key to shaping the atmosphere of the center, serving as a central hub for the community, and we are certain that Il Girasole will become a defining part of the SoCo experience.”

Also contained within the property is The OC Mix, a nearly 15,000 square foot shopping and dining experience featuring more than 20 distinct full-service sit-down restaurants, coffee shops, quick service restaurants, a fine cheese retailer, a barber and, other unique soft good retailers.

More than 340,000 vehicles pass the SoCo site on an annual basis via Interstate 405. More than 200,000 people, including more than 65,000 households with an average household income exceeding $132,000, are located within a three-mile radius of SoCo. Additionally, 125,000 people work within a three-mile radius.

Headquartered in Baltimore, Maryland and founded in 1960, Continental Realty Corporation is a full-service commercial real estate and investment company focused on acquiring and operating retail and multifamily properties. The privately held firm owns and manages a diversified portfolio of retail centers consisting of nearly eight million square feet of commercial space and more than 10,000 apartment homes across 13 states, with a portfolio value exceeding $4 billion. For additional information, visit www.crcrealty.com.