A Family’s Recipe for Success
Getting the news that our favorite local restaurant was closing was devastating. As residents, we felt the loss deeply—our kids would miss their friends and their favorite pizza. And as fellow small business owners, it was heartbreaking: restaurants can only thrive where there is a vibrant and diverse scene, where people can choose from many options of where to go to connect, gather, and share experiences. We were then approached by the restaurant’s owners with a concern: their staff had nowhere to go. At the same time, we had just opened Café D’Anvers, and the old MOJO space sat empty. It felt like a mission we couldn’t ignore—for the neighborhood, for the staff, and for our family.
So, we gathered the chef and our Italian godfather’s treasured family recipes, and created something new, a Italian concept offering authentic Italian dishes made with high-quality and imported ingredients, that deliver the true flavors of Italy — all at reasonable prices.
Our journey started 15 years ago when a Belgian Chef and a Brazilian entrepreneur crossed paths in New York City. Our shared love for food, hospitality, and hard work led us not only to build a life together but also to create a community around our passion in our chosen home: East Harlem.
It all started with something simple yet extraordinary: Chocolate Mousse. In our kitchen, Chef Johan crafted silky, decadent mousses that quickly won hearts across the city. That success ignited a fire within us, and soon, our dream of owning a shop became a reality when we opened MOJO—America’s First Chocolate Mousse Bar—just five weeks before the pandemic.
Our second concept, Bar Goyana—Craft Cocktails, Belgian Beers & Brazilian Vibes, was born out of the challenges of the pandemic. We needed to expand beyond desserts, creating a space where people could gather and escape through flavors and music.
Our third concept, Café D’Anvers Belgian Bistro, emerged from yet another opportunity. The recently vacated restaurant next to us—a fully equipped kitchen—became the perfect space to bring another dream to life: a full-service restaurant serving the best of Chef Johan’s home cooking, imported beers, and a to-go window featuring Belgian frites, burgers, and, of course, the beloved MOJO Mousses.
And now we are proud to introduce you: Girasole Trattoria. To us, Girasole Trattoria isn’t just an Italian restaurant—it’s a labor of love, passion, and family. It’s a symbol of survival against the odds where every plate tells a story—of tradition, reinvention, and the joy of sharing a meal with those you love.
Sunflowers are powerful symbols of light and resilience. One fact that resonated with us is that on dark, cloudy days, sunflowers turn toward each other, drawing warmth and strength from those around them. This mirrors exactly what we’ve experienced here in East Harlem. For us, this is more than just a business—it’s a legacy.
It’s a reminder that dreams are meant to be pursued, that taking risks is part of the journey, and that when you surround yourself with caring people and focus on serving others, you will always see the bright light.
Welcome to our table. Welcome to our family.
Chef Johan, Jaque, Jonathan & Jaque
