Officially opened just over a week ago, Francobolli Pasta is already making waves on social media platforms. I’ve completely lost count of the countless videos showcasing this Italian restaurant, with enthusiastic praise for the fresh pasta they serve. Located on Level 1 of Wisma Cosway in Bukit Bintang, this establishment has confidently stepped into the spotlight as a secondary venture, building on their successful primary business of supplying pasta to various restaurants and cafes in the area.
If one intends to dine at Francobolli, it is advisable to be prepared for an long waiting period. I made two visits to the establishment before I was able to savor their cuisine. On my first visit, I arrived at 12:30 PM and was required to wait for 40 minutes, only to be informed that they had sold out of all their pasta dishes – which is literally the only items they serve in addition to Tiramisu. On my second visit, I arrived earlier, at 12:00 PM, and waited until 1:00 PM to be seated. The food was served 25 minutes later, yet, regrettably, their Tiramisu was sold out.
The restaurant features a small layout, resulting in a crowded atmosphere during peak hours, which can occasionally feel stuffy. Customers often find themselves in close proximity to one another—this interaction is an integral aspect of the dining experience. In the absence of the availability of an individual table, guests are seated at the long high table positioned against the wall, sharing a spot with other customers.
Menu
*** FYI : If you visit 1pm and beyond, be prepared for them to run out of everything on their Menu, which essetially are three options of pasta only. Their Tiramisu is sold out even before that 🤦♀️🤦♀️🤦♀️
At this point, Francobolli has been in operation for a week, and one would expect that they would have familiarized themselves with the crowd by now; however, their operations remain as chaotic as during my first visit, with items frequently selling out hours before closing time.
Customers place their orders through a uniquely printed QR code that is distributed for individual use. In instances where the volume of orders are overwhelming—particularly given that only one chef is cooking—incoming customers can expect to experience delays until the order flow subsides. Haiyaaaaaaaa 🤦♀️🤦♀️.
Cacio E Pepe Pecorino Evoo, RM 28
This dish was a let down. After an hour-long wait, the plate of pasta failed to meet expectations. True to the essence of Cacio e Pepe, one can immediately taste the pairing of cheese and pepper; however, beyond this familiar taste, the dish lacks any elements that would engage my interest. While it does require skill to harmonize the strong, distinct flavors of cheese and pepper without one overpowering the other – credits to the chef, yet I will not be reordering this dish. Furthermore, the choice of rigatoni was not to my liking, as I would have preferred spaghetti or linguine instead.
Garlic Chili Anchovy Butter, RM 26
This pasta dish was heaps better than the Cacio E Pepe. The freshly cooked linguine provided an ideal al dente texture that complemented the sauce well. Each strand was generously coated with a smooth, buttery oil that glistened invitingly, while the rich and aromatic flavor of garlic was evident in every bite, enhancing the overall experience. A simple dish it was and certainly better than the other dish we tried.
But was it worth standing in line for an hour for? No.
Would I revisit Francobolli? No.
Address: Lot 1.25, Level 1, Wisma Cosway, Jalan Raja Chulan, Kuala Lumpur.
Opening hours: Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays, 11am to 3pm.
Signing out now, Ciao.
