I found the bad reviews for a 4.9-star viral shop... in the trash can.
qponx
2026-02-25
Curious about the viral Italian spot Balboni with its near-perfect 4.9-star rating? This review dives into its photogenic ambiance and must-try creamy truffle pasta. But it also spills the tea on some major letdowns, like terrible coffee and a shocking secret behind its flawless reviews. Find out what’s truly worth ordering, what to avoid, and whether this popular restaurant actually lives up to the hype before you decide to visit.
Every time I pass by Flavor Bliss in Alam Sutera, I've always been curious about this Italian restaurant called Balboni. With over 2500+ reviews on Google and an insanely high score of 4.9, I thought it must be some kind of legendary place. I finally dragged a friend to check it out over the weekend, and well, let's just say the experience left me with mixed feelings...
The moment you walk in, the ambiance is definitely on point. The warm yellow lighting, the busy figures in the open kitchen, and a super eye-catching yellow Vespa scooter for decoration—it's really photogenic. It feels like the kind of place that's perfect for family gatherings or a couple's date night, warm and cozy. After we sat down, the waiter even brought us complimentary sesame breadsticks[1], which were fragrant and crispy. The first impression was pretty good.
So, is the food any good?
We got straight to the point and ordered a few of their signature dishes.
My friend is a truffle lover, so she ordered the Casarecce allo Tartufata[2] (creamy truffle pasta). I have to give this one a thumbs up. The sauce was super rich, the truffle aroma was amazing, and every piece of pasta was coated in sauce. It was so creamy in your mouth, definitely the best dish of the night, Mantap!
For the pizza, we chose the Quattro Formaggio[3] (four cheese pizza), which came with a small dish of honey—a nice touch. The freshly baked crust was very fragrant and had a chewy texture. But to be honest, cheese lovers might feel that the amount of cheese could have been more generous. And you definitely have to eat it while it's hot, otherwise it gets a bit hard once it cools down.
Overall, the food falls into that "safe choice" category—not bad, but not surprisingly amazing either. For the price (the two of us spent almost 500,000 IDR), you'd expect a bit more.
Alright, let me give you the real tea
Okay, enough with the praise, it's time to complain.
First off, do NOT order the coffee! I ordered an iced coffee, and it tasted like instant "Pop Ice"[4]. A total miss. Girls, promise me, save your money for the main courses or other drinks, okay?
Secondly, while the open kitchen looks nice, if you're seated close to it, you'll leave smelling like cooking fumes[5]. Something to keep in mind if you're on a date. The background music was also a bit loud, so those who want to Nongkrong and chat quietly might find it a bit noisy.
The most Anjay thing was, my friend told me some gossip. She said she once saw a customer complain that the negative feedback slip they filled out was found thrown directly into the trash can in the restroom[6]... I was completely shocked by this move. No wonder they can maintain such a "perfect" rating. Turns out they're physically filtering out the bad reviews, huh?
Tips to Avoid Pitfalls & How to Order
Finally, here's a practical summary for the girls planning to visit:
So, is this place worth visiting? If you're around the Tangerang area and looking for an Italian place with a nice atmosphere, you can come and try their signature pasta. But if you're expecting a mind-blowingly delicious experience, you might be disappointed. 🤷♀️
- Order Do's and Don'ts: Go straight for the creamy truffle pasta[7]! The pizza is worth a try, but don't overhype it. The coffee is a minefield, don't step on it! Oh, by the way, they're owned by the same people as Cutt & Grill upstairs, so you can also order steaks from upstairs while on the first floor[8]. It's kind of a hidden menu item.
- Choosing Your Seat: If you want to take photos, sit near the Vespa. If you're worried about the cooking smell, sit far from the kitchen.
- About Reservations: This place gets super crowded on weekends, and the information about reservations is very confusing. Some say they don't accept reservations on weekends, while others say you must reserve during peak hours[9]. To be safe, it's best to call ahead and ask to avoid a wasted trip.
- Warm lights & a yellow Vespa set the vibe. Incredibly photogenic, perfect for date nights or family dinners[1].
- Must-try Truffle Cream Pasta! Super rich sauce coats every noodle. A dream come true for truffle lovers[2].
- Get the secret menu from Cutt & Grill, the steakhouse upstairs! It's like two spots in one—an amazing deal[3]
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