Whether you’re gearing up for the race – or a long day of cheering (that takes energy, too!) – Boston chefs have got you covered in the carbs department. Read on for where you can find pre-Marathon pasta plates, prix fixes and buffets to keep you in top form and be sure to check back as the starting line approaches.
ArtBar
Bulk up your dinner plate at ArtBar’s pasta buffet on Sunday, April 16th. From 6:00 to 9:00pm, they’ve got pasta and breads for Marathon prep, plus a salad bar to balance things out. Plates are $25 per person (see the options here) and tables can be booked by calling 617.806.4122.
Bambara
Get fleet-footed with fettuccine—on Sunday, April1 6th, chef David Bazirgan has a bottomless pasta plate for marathon preppers. The housemade fettuccine comes with marinara or alfredo sauce, or butter or EVOO for $18 a plate. Dinner hours are 5:30-11:00pm and seats can be booked by calling 617.868.4444.
Bar Mezzana
Join chef Colin Lynch and the Bar Mezzana team for a pasta tasting menu pre-Marathon. On Sunday, April 16th, you can dig in to a five-course menu – featuring three pasta courses, salad and dessert – for $40 per person. Call 617.530.1170 to book a table between 5:00 and 10:00pm.
Capo
Get ready for the race with housemade pastas from the Capo kitchen. Chef Tony Susi and team have a la carte plates like pappardelle with lamb and mushroom ragu, cauliflower ravioli with sage butter and gemelli with basil pesto (among others) for the necessary pre-Marathon carbo-load. Dinner hours are 4:00-10:00pm—call 617.993.8080 for a table.
Centre Street Café
Marathon runners and pasta lovers are invited to Centre Street Café on Sunday, April 16th for an all-pasta supper. The prix fixe menu, available for $26.20 per person, covers four courses of pasta goodness—from spaghetti to rigatoni and beyond. Book a table between 5:30 and 10:00pm by calling 617.524.9217.
Cinquecento
The Italian kitchen at Cinquecento is Marathon ready with pasta specials all weekend long. From Friday, April 14th through Sunday, April 16th, dinner guests can dig in to dishes like bucatini all’amatriciana with guanciale, red wine, spicy Pomodoro and pecorino ($23.75 a plate), among the a la carte options. Reservations can be made between 5:00 and 11:00pm by calling 617.338.9500.
Coppersmith
On Sunday, April 16th, chef Jason Heard is slinging bottomless pasta specials in honor of the Boston Marathon. Participants (and pasta-lovers) can choose their entrée—Bolognese (with beef, sundried tomatoes and olives), mushroom lasagna, tomato basil marinara or gluten-free marinara—and go to town. Each option comes with a house salad and homemade garlic bread for $16.99 per person. Reservations are available from 6:00pm to close by calling 617.658.3452.
dante
Get those carbs in, courtesy of the kitchen at dante. From 5:00pm to 8:00pm on Sunday, April 16th, they’re offering bottomless pasta bowls for Marathon runners (and supporters). Options include tufoli with tomato basil sauce, spaghetti carbonara with a farm egg and tagliatelle alla Bolognese. For more details or to reserve a space, call 617.497.4200.
Davio’s
Snag a seat at Davio’s to partake of handmade pastas before the big race. The dinner menu (available from 5:00-10:00pm) features an array of a la carte, carb-y dishes like potato gnocchi with white truffle oil, penne with smoked chicken and tagliatelle Bolognese. All pastas can be ordered as an appetizer size or made gluten-free. Reservations are available by calling 617.357.4810.
Doretta Taverna
On Sunday, April 16th, Dorretta Taverna chefs Michael Schlow and Brendan Pelley are preparing a carb-heavy plate for marathon participants, available during dinner (5:00pm-close). For more information or to book a table call 617.536.6200.
Hojoko
Head to Hojoko for carbs and karaoke on Marathon Eve. The People’s Karaoke kicks off at 10:00pm and the kitchen has got late-night bites to keep you fueled (whether you’re karaoke-ing or marathon-ing or both). You can choose from options like kimchi fried rice, Funky Chicen Ramen, udon with spring veggies, the Hojoko cheeseburger and more. Karaoke goes until 2:00am—call 617.670.0507 with any questions.
La Motta’s
Increase your pasta intake pre-Marathon with La Motta’s. From Friday, April 14th through Sunday, April 16th, they’re offering pasta specials, like spaghetti and mortadella meatballs with Pomodoro and Parmesan ($19.95 a dish). Dinner hours are 5:00-11:00pm—call 617.338.5300 to book a table.
Met Back Bay
Meatballs and rigatoni are yours for the carbo-loading at Met Back Bay on Sunday, April 16th. Dinner service (5:00-9:00pm) sees the addition of a baked rigatoni plate with ricotta cheese, Sunday gravy and Nonna’s meatballs for $23 each. Call 617.267.0451 for reservations.
Porto
On Sunday, April 16th, Porto presents Marathon Eve specials to supplement their a la carte dinner menu. From 5:30-10:00pm, there will be a variety of house-made pastas available, as well as a pasta sampling plate. Reservations are suggested; call 617.536.1234 to book a table.
Posto
The folks at Posto will be offering Marathon Monday specials from Friday, April 14th, through Sunday, April 16th. Carbo-load with options like mafaldine lamb ragu (for $23 a plate) and roasted herb porchetta served over skordalia potatoes, baby roasted carrots and peas (for $24 each, available on Sunday only). Dinner hours are 5:00-11:00pm (4:30-10:00pm on Sundays) and reservations can be made by calling 617.625.0600.
SRV
Runners (and cheer-ers) can get their fill for race day with SRV’s pre-Marathon specials. On Sunday, April 16th, they’ll be serving a pound of pasta for dinner guests (5:00-11:00pm). Call for a reservation at 617.536.9500.
Tamo
Take on the pasta buffet at Tamo for a pre-Marathon boost. From 6:00 to 8:00pm on Sunday, April 16th, the Seaport restaurant has all-you-can-eat options like pappardelle with Bolognese, wild mushroom and cheese lasagna, gemelli pasta primavera and gluten-free penne pasta, in addition to fresh breads and Caesar salad, all for $24 per person. Book a space by calling 617.385.4304.
Zephyr on the Charles
Get your before-the-race boost buffet-style at Zephyr on the Charles. For $29.95 per person, you can partake of the Sunday night offerings: soups, salads and sweets, plus pasta and bread for the requisite carb intake. Dinner is available 5:00-9:00pm—take a look at the menu and call 617.492.1234 for reservations.
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