Feature

Starch Me Up

What’s the best thing about the New York City Marathon—whether or not you actually run? The traditional pre-race carbo-loading.

By Robin Raisfeld & Rob Patronite
Published Nov 1, 2004

1. L’impero
Forget performance-enhancing drugs: Go for the unbelievably great fresh spaghetti with tomato and basil.
45 Tudor City Place, near 42nd St.; 212-599-5045.

2. Babbo
Six words: Babbo’s seven-course pasta tasting menu.
110 Waverly Place, near Sixth Ave.; 212-777-0303.

3. Cacio E Pepe
The namesake dish, presented theatrically in a huge hollowed wheel of pecorino, is superb.
182 Second Ave., near 12th St.; 212-505-5931.

4. I Trulli
Mamma Dora Marzovilla is back in the kitchen, leading a team that does nothing all day but roll and shape Apulian pastas.
122 27th St., near Lexington Ave.; 212-481-7372.

5. Becco
Unlimited helpings of three daily pastas, and we’re not talking Ronzoni.
355 46th St., near Eighth Ave.; 212-397-7597.

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