1. 1. Gusto

   60 Greenwich Ave., at Perry St.; 212-924-8000

   Well-to-do carbo-loaders, take note: Chef Amanda Freitag is breaking out the pasta specials in anticipation of Marathon Sunday, including a potato gnocchi with shaved white truffle.

2. 2. Becco

   355 W. 46th St., nr. Ninth Ave.; 212-397-7597

   Five words: unlimited tableside helpings of pasta.

3. 3. Babbo

   110 Waverly pl., nr. MacDougal St.; 212-777-0303

   The eight-course pasta-tasting menu is the best thing to happen to the starchy stuff since tomato sauce.

4. 4. Bar Stuzzichini

   928 Broadway, nr. 22nd St.; 212-780-5100

   This new Flatiron restaurant specializes in the bite-size appetizers called stuzzichini, but its pastas are pretty great, too.

5. 5. Franny’s

   295 Flatbush Ave., nr. Prospect Pl., Prospect Heights; 718-230-0221

   Perfectionist chef Andrew Feinberg banned pasta from the kitchen for months because he thought his wasn’t up to snuff. He’s finally relented.

Related:

• Archive: “Food Features”
• Articles by Robin Raisfeld | Rob Patronite
• Table of Contents: November 5, 2007 issue of New York | Subscribe!