Located in a food court at 2000 Pennsylvania Ave, Gigi’s looks like a franchise-ready operation, although this is the only location. Machines are continually cranking out fresh pasta in a variety of shapes and you can mix and match sauces and proteins. They are served in a tub in very large portions along with a slice of focaccia., enough food for two people @ $16:
I ordered one of their signature pastas, radiatore amitriciano, which is a pre-selected combo of pasta with blistered cherry tomatoes , San Marzano tomatoes, crispy pancetta, red onion, and Calabrian chili, topped with pancetta powder.
The pasta was very fresh. The combo was shockingly pungent with a fermented odor and a truly spicy sauce. The pancetta was tiny, very crunchy pieces of fat, and the powder kicked up the flavor by a few notches too many. It was overpowering.
I like the concept and I can easily imagine going back, but I certainly won’t get that signature again, though I do think they are very brave for offering it at all.
