Gigi’s Pasta Opens in Western Market to Admiration and Frustration

Gleaming new banners, the smell of warm mozzarella sticks, and shiny bright yellow wallpaper. A new off-campus lunch spot has opened for SWW students in our own Western Market. 

Gigi’s Pasta is the latest venture from Constantina Economides and Stephanos Andreou, a Greek-American couple well known in D.C. 's dining and nightlife scene. The pair previously ran Barcode and Sakerum and currently operate Tokyo Pearl. Gigi’s marks their first Italian restaurant, inspired by their extensive travels through Italy where Constantina once studied abroad.

To prepare for the high demand, the owners installed a custom pasta machine imported from Italy. But after their opening-day rush—300 orders by dinnertime, according to Eater DC—they immediately purchased a second machine. “Those machines run from open to close,” Economides told Washingtonian, emphasizing that every dish relies on fresh dough made on the spot.

It’s no wonder the new restaurant has become a popular place for Walls students and GW students only a few weeks after its opening. “It’s a bowl of happiness,” says Anya Duffy-Jones (‘29).

But despite all the hype, complaints are already piling up. 

Leo Feldman (‘29) ranted about the price, saying, “$22 is too overpriced!” While the menu is delicious, some students question whether it’s worth its extravagant cost. Then there’s the wait time. 

Ferris Mitchell (‘29) recounted how it took her an hour to get pasta for her friend. “She ordered it during first lunch and I picked it up for her during second lunch.” And she wasn’t exaggerating. During peak lunch hours, lines stretch across Western Market, and with pasta made fresh to order, patience is a must. 

Other minor complaints have included the caprese salad, which one student described as “just cheese balls,” and the consistently long lines, which Margot Bellemore (‘29) and Milan Markowski (‘29) said make grabbing lunch a stressful endeavor.

So the real question is even with all the ravings and criticism: is the bowl of happiness still worth $22 and an hour-long wait? For some students, yes. For others, the combination of cost and delay might be a dealbreaker. 

Either way, Gigi’s Pasta has made a noticeable mark on the lunch scene, and it seems like everyone will be lining up whether they love it or love to complain about it.