Race Over to These Carb-tastic Restaurants
The Chicago Marathon races into action on Sunday, October 12, an occasion that merits an all-out pre-marathon carb blowout in order for runners to amass stamina for the big day. And since it’s of the utmost importance that we all show solidarity, pasta binges all around! Restaurants throughout the city are rising to the occasion with a bevy of starchy specials.
Italian restaurants, innately resplendent with pastas and proteins, are obvious entries for great marathon eve dining. But an Italian restaurant manned by a chef who has run the marathon himself? That’s a whole new level. At Coco Pazzo, chef Federico Comacchio knows what runners need and want in order to prepare for the big day. His top recommendations include rigatoni alla buttera before the race, a dish made with fennel sausage, sweet peas, tomatoes, Parmesan and cream; and/or the bistecca Toscana as a post-race meal, with grilled rib-eye, rosemary, patata Toscane. Of course, there’s also a hefty housemade pasta selection at the ready as well, everything from squid ink taglioni to Tuscan pici brimming with eggplant, fresh tomatoes, and Tuscan peppers.
On another note, a modern French bistro may not seem as obvious a choice for pre-marathon supping, but Bistronomic is deserving of your appetite for its rigorous commitment to housemade pastas and seasonal ingredients sourced locally. Dinnertime specials for the marathon are on deck October 10 through 12, including items like handmade chicken confit ravioli, fresh linguini awash in mushroom sauce, fresh fettuccine with confit red and yellow peppers and goat cheese, and Yukon Gold gnocchi with rutabaga, shrimp, ginger, and lobster emulsion.
If an all you can eat pasta buffet sounds like the perfect marathon fuel, then head to Plymouth Restaurant & Bar pre-race on October 11 from 6:00 pm until 9:00 pm. Runners and their comrades are encouraged to partake in the pasta melee along with drink specials. The restaurant rooftop will also be open on Sunday, the perfect oasis for post-race relaxation.
Easily the most apropos marathon special ever, Ceres’ Table is serving up a special 26-layer lasagna on October 11. With one layer for each mile, this well-striated entree comes studded with veal bolognese, ricotta, and black truffles, making it ideal racing fodder.
Featuring a menu laden with pizzas and pastas, Tavern on Rush makes for a fine pre-marathon dining destination. Thin-crust pizzas emerge from a brick oven in flavors such as margherita, Matt’s bacon giardiniera, and Anna Bella with prosciutto, asparagus, Manchego, and baby arugula. If pizza isn’t enough, look to pastas such as pappardelle bolognese, linguini frutti di mare, and orechiette with prosciutto.
Power up with a breakfast of champions at Kanela Breakfast Club before you start your spree. October 10 through October 12, the restaurant is offering Kanela Power Waffles made with buckwheat, yogurt, bananas, and almonds. Additionally, they’ll be serving wheatgrass smoothies.
Little Italy seems an apt locale for fueling up before the marathon, yes? One of the best bets on the Taylor Street stretch is Tuscany on Taylor. Already a haven for saucy carbs, the restaurant is amplifying its regular menu with specials available October 10 through October 11. These include rigatoni flecked with Tuscan sausage ragout, lasagna layered with roasted chicken and Cognac cream sauce, and lobster-filled agnolotti with basil pesto.
Coco Pazzo
300 W. Hubbard Street, Chicago
(312) 836-0900
Website
Bistronomic
840 N. Wabash Avenue, Chicago
(312) 944-8400
Website
Plymouth Restaurant
327 S. Plymouth Court, Chicago
(312) 363-1212
Website
Ceres’ Table
3124 N. Broadway, Chicago
(773) 922-4020
Website
Tavern on Rush
1031 N. Rush Street, Chicago
(312) 664-9600
Website
Kanela Breakfast Club
1552 N. Wells Street, Chicago
(312) 255-1206
Website
Tuscany on Taylor
1014 W. Taylor Street, Chicago
(312) 829-1990
Website
