il Girasole Turns Thanksgiving Into a Day of Giving Back
As Orange County’s modern Italian favorite il Girasole approached its one year anniversary, owner and visionary Antonio Bevacqua set out to make Thanksgiving Day about more than a meal. His goal was to create an experience rooted in heart, purpose, and community impact. In searching for a local organization that could help connect with those in need, il Girasole found an ideal partner in The Hub OC.
A nonprofit organization, The Hub OC provides resources and programming designed to meet the physical, relational, and emotional needs of individuals and families throughout Orange County and beyond. Through a strategic partnership with Holiday Zimmerman, CEO of The Hub OC, il Girasole opened its doors on Thanksgiving Day to welcome guests of all ages for a traditional holiday meal served in the warmth and dignity of a private restaurant setting.
Thanks to generous contributions from several of the restaurant’s vendors and the il Girasole team members who volunteered their time, the day came together as a meaningful celebration of nourishment and connection. While closing the restaurant on a major holiday meant sacrificing important revenue for a young business, the team embraced the decision fully and plans to make the Thanksgiving meal an annual tradition.
“It has been a dream of mine to bring this experience to life, and it proved to be profoundly rewarding,” Bevacqua said. “I speak for our entire team when I say we are grateful to have made a meaningful difference in our community. Our day of giving back and giving thanks was soul food for us.”
Located at SOCO and The OC Mix, il Girasole has quickly become a destination for modern Italian cuisine in Orange County. The seasonal menu highlights California’s bounty, featuring vegetables sourced from local farmers markets, wild caught sustainable seafood, and meats selected from small, ethically responsible farms. Each dish reflects a thoughtful balance of Italian tradition and Southern California sensibility, complemented by a carefully curated selection of wines and cocktails that complete the refined dining experience.
Follow on Instagram at @ilgirasole_oc.
iL Girasole is located at 3321 Hyland Ave, Suite E, Costa Mesa, CA 92626.
