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Where to Carb Load for the 2018 NYC Marathon

The New York City Marathon is more than just an event, it’s a city-wide experience! If you’re running in the race this year then you want to be sure to stock up on carbohydrates before the run begins. Fortunately, that doesn’t mean you have to stick to bland food. Grab some food the night before (or replenish after the run) with these restaurants to make sure you’ll have the fuel you need to get you through the 26 miles with energy to spare. Rice, breads, pastas, and pizza…it’s all here.

Best of NYC Carb Restaurants: Pasta at Patsy’s Italian Restaurant (Midtown West)

What better place to load up on carbs than at an Italian restaurant? Head over to Patsy’s Italian Restaurant to get your fill of pastas. Serving up both spaghetti and whole wheat options, you can even go the “healthy” route before your big day. From Pasta Marinara and Linguine Puttanesca to Tortellini Bolognese and Rigatoni Sorrentino, you won’t run out (pun intended) of delicious options at Patsy’s. 236 W. 56th St., 212-247-3491, patsys.com

antipasti obica nyc

Taking its inspiration from traditional sushi bars, Obica is a casual Italian restaurant that has its very own mozzarella bar. Handmade products are prepared in view, and the food is worth writing home about. Obica serves two varieties of Mozzarella di Bufala Campana DOP, as well as stracciatella di burrata. The menu includes contemporary takes on the likes of lasagna tradizionale, a selezione di salumi, and parmigiana di Melanzane in addition to its famed Mozzarella Bar. Additional location in Midtown East. 928 Broadway, 212-777-2754, obica.com

Best of NYC Italian Restaurants: Villa Mosconi (Greenwich Village)

Villa Mosconi has been keeping its customers happy for over forty years, providing memorable dining experiences for everyone who walks through its doors. Pastas are made fresh daily using a pasta machine directly imported from Italy, and you can taste the quality in their ziti, rigatoni, penne, spaghetti, and cappellini. Also worth ordering are their scaloppini dishes, flavorful sea scallops, and branzino, amongst the other noteworthy dishes that make up the menu. 69 MacDougal St., 212-673-0390, villamosconi.com

Best of NYC Italian Restaurants: Masseria dei Vini (Midtown West) 

masseria dei vini nyc

Executive chef Pino Coladonato does not disappoint with his wide-ranging and flavor-infused spinoff of La Masseria. The tera mare del Tavoliere (grilled baby octopus and cuttlefish with broccoli rabe on a bed of fava bean puree) and capesante e carciofi grigliati (sea scallops and artichoke hearts) are our top picks for appetizers at Masseria dei Vini, while the coniglio alla Caprese (oven roasted rabbit with fresh herbs and wine sauce) and fegato di vitello spadellato all’aceto di mirtilli (calf liver sauté with onions and blueberry vinegar) are not to be missed on the entrée menu. 235 W. 48th St., 212-582-2111, lamasserianyc.com

Best of NYC Italian Restaurants: Zibetto Espresso Bar (Midtown West)

If you want an authentic Italian coffee shop experience (and who doesn’t?) Zibetto Espresso Bar is the place to go. In addition to incredible and authentic coffee (one look at the gleaming La Cimbali espresso machine behind the marble bar and you'll be assured they know what they're doing), you'll also find great breakfast and lunch fare, as in fresh salads and hand-pressed panini. As with the coffee here, ingredients are carefully chosen, reflecting the best providers in the world. Mozzarella, fontina, and soppressata are all imported from Italy. The prosciutto is mouth-meltingly tender, aged for 24 months. If you need a midtown pick-me-up, Zibetto is your place. 1221 Sixth Ave. (on 48th St.), 212-332-2648; 1385 Sixth Ave. (on 56th St.), 646-707-0505; 501 Fifth Ave (on 42nd St.), 646-838-6364; zibettoespresso.com

Best of NYC Carb Restaurants: Woodpecker by David Burke (Chelsea)

woodpecker outside by david burke

The night before Marathon Day (November 3rd) stop by Woodpecker by David Burke for their special $5 Carb Bar. The Carb Bar is serving up pasta dishes, wood-fired pizza, and more! Then, stop by on Marathon Day with your tag number or Marathon Thermal for a complimentary beer and "Roadrunner Pizza." 30 W. 30th St., 646-398-7664, woodpeckerbydb.com

Best of NYC Carb Restaurants: Soups and Sandwiches at Hale and Hearty (Midtown West)

Hale & Hearty

Hale and Hearty Soups is an ideal destination for grabbing a quick hearty meal. The chain of eateries is renowned for its extensive menu of quality comfort food. Those who want to ensure a good night’s sleep can opt for takeout sandwiches and soup that can be enjoyed in the comforts of their apartments, Airbnbs, or hotels. A new autumn menu entices. Soups such as the fall festival harvest—hand-cut veggies and rice—are made from scratch from local ingredients. Sandwiches include the caprese avocado—made with fresh mozzarella, plum tomatoes, and avocado. It is dressed with a citrusy housemade lemon aioli and topped with arugula. Locations include Chelsea Market, Rockefeller Plaza, Grand Central Terminal, Fulton Street, and a host of others all around Manhattan, Brooklyn, and beyond. 462 Seventh Ave., 212-971-0605, haleandhearty.com

Best of NYC Carb Restaurants: Pasta and More at La Masseria (Midtown West)

A farm-style restuarant in the middle of Manhattan, La Masseria offers classic dishes from the Puglia region of Italy. Meals are crafted using fresh, natural ingredients, which results in simple, authentic pastas, risottos, and delectable meat and fish entrees. There are lots of tantalizing options such as spaghetti with cherry tomato sauce and fresh basil; linguini and fresh, baby clams and garlic in a white wine sauce; orecchiette with broccoli rabe and Italian sausage, and beyond. 235 W. 48th St., 212-582-2111, lamasserianyc.com

Best of NYC Carb Restaurants: Sushi Rolls at An’nam (Midtown West)

an'nam japanese nyc

Bulk up with some rice before the race by indulging in one of An’Nam’s many sushi rolls. They cover the basics, as well as have some specialty rolls that will blow your mind. The Pink Panthers Fancy Roll contains crunchy spicy tuna, tempura eel, avocado, and wasabi caviar. The Gold Metal Fancy Roll is just as impressive, containing tuna, white tuna, avocado, crunch, aioli wrapped with mango, and gold flakes. 234 W. 48th St., 212-247-8318, annamnyc.com

Best of NYC Carb Restaurants: Pasta at Buca di Beppo (Times Square)

buca di beppo spaghetti

Times Square’s Buca di Beppo offers authentic Italian cuisine in a retro-style setting. Just like home--meals are served family-style. Enjoy specialties such as penne san remo—chicken breast, artichoke hearts, sun-dried tomatoes, and peas in a white wine cream sauce or more traditional dishes such as fettucine Alfredo, spaghetti with meat sauce, and more. Indulge in the mozzarella garlic bread or opt for a traditional style garlic bread. Fish and meat entrees are also available. Mangia! 1540 Broadway, 212-764-6527, bucadibeppo.com

Best of NYC Carb Restaurants: Heartland Brewery and HB Burger (Times Square)

With locations in Times Square, The Empire State Building, HB Burger, and Midtown West, Heartland Brewery traces its history back to 1995. The atmosphere is relaxed and friendly. Menu options include gnocchi with prosciutto and parmesan cheese as well as juicy steaks, gourmet-style sandwiches, and chophouse favorites such as the warm giant pretzel with honey mustard. 212-582-2057, heartlandbrewery.com

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