Chicago Marathon Guide: Where To Carb Up, Cheer And Catch All The Action

Happy marathon weekend, Chicago. Whether you're a marathon supporter or participant, there's no shortage of happenings this weekend to help you carb up, celebrate and cheer on runners. Here's a round up of restaurants and bars with viewing parties and pre and post-race specials.

Tesori
65 East Adams Street
Chicago, IL 60603
312.786.9911
TesoriChicago.com
When: Saturday, October 11 and Sunday, October 12
What: Pre-race Pasta, Proteins and Celebratory Brunch

Tesori, located just steps from the race route on Adams between Michigan and Wabash, offers Italian to help you carb up.

On Saturday, October 11, runners have a bevy of options for a pre-race meal. Your choice of pasta or protein, both lunch (11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.) and dinner (5-11 p.m.) service offer housemade pasta, fish, and meat-based dishes.

On race day, Sunday, October 12, celebrate the exciting run with a celebratory brunch. From 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m., Tesori features a sweet and savory breakfast with an Italian flair. Menu includes: steak and eggs; blueberry pancakes; omelet with wild mushrooms and fontina; rum-soaked brioche french toast; benedict with homemade focaccia, prosciutto cotto poached eggs and champagne hollandaise; brunch pizza; and homemade duck sausage with braised cabbage, country potatoes and poached eggs.

On either day, gather your group for a pizza party. Parties of 10 or more receive complimentary pizza in the lounge with the purchase of bar beverages after 2:30 p.m. Tesori's bar menu includes classic cocktails, craft brews, and wine.

Park Grill at Millennium Park

11 North Michigan Avenue

Chicago, Illinois 60602

(312) 521-7275

ParkGrillChicago.com
When: Saturday, October 11 and Sunday, October 12
What: Pasta Dinner, Breakfast Viewing Party

Park Grill will hold two Chicago Marathon dining events in the heart of Millennium Park on The Plaza. A large tent will welcome pre-race carb loaders for an elaborate pasta dinner, as well as race day diners for a breakfast viewing party. Check out event details for both below:

Bank of America Chicago Marathon Pasta Dinner
Saturday, October 11


Carb up before the big run at Park Grill's pasta dinner. The evening will include a pasta buffet with four selections, a build-your-own pasta station, two salads, dessert and choice of Goose Island beer or The Naked Grape wine. Executive Chef Jared Case's buffet menu will feature butter lettuce salad; caesar salad; smoked gouda mac and cheese cavatappi; roasted vegetarian pasta with marinara; mushroom tortellini with truffle alfredo; gnocchi bolognese grana padano; assorted miniature desserts and much more. Seatings will be offered at 4 p.m., 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. and the fee is $35 per guest. Visit ParkGrillChicago.com/events or tickets. 



Chicago Marathon Breakfast and Viewing Party
Sunday, October 12


Enjoy breakfast beneath "the Bean" on Marathon morning. From 8-11 a.m.,
start your race day with a breakfast buffet in the heart of Millennium Park. The menu includes yogurt and granola; honey and mint fruit salad; croissants; mini banana nut muffins; bagels and toppings; Nancy's apple chicken sausage; parmesan breakfast potatoes; chilaquiles with salsa verde and queso fresco; skillet scrambled eggs with scallions; and cinnamon roll waffles with cream cheese frosting. Catch all the Marathon action and cheer on the runners via large monitors set throughout the Plaza. Tickets are $25, available at ParkGrillChicago.com/events.

Kanela
1552 N. Wells St.
Chicago, IL 60610
312.255.1206
www.kanelacafe.com
When: Friday, October 10 through Sunday, October 12
What: Power Waffles & Smoothie Marathon Special At Kanela

In celebration of the 2014 Bank of America Chicago Marathon, Kanela will offer a Kanela Power Waffle special for $10 featuring a buckwheat waffle with yogurt, bananas and almonds. They will also feature a wheatgrass smoothie special for $6.

Lottie's Pub & The Pony
1925 W Cortland - www.lottiespub.com
1638 W Belmont- www.theponychicago.com
When: Sunday, October 12
What: 26.2% discount

Runners who visit Lottie's or The Pony after the marathon will enjoy a 26.2 percent discount for their entire group. The marathon runner must show their Runner ID number to receive the discount. Not valid with any other offer or promotion.

Riva Crab House
700 E. Grand Ave.
Chicago, IL 60611
312.644.7482
www.rivanavypier.com
When: Friday, October 10 through Saturday, October 11
What: Pre-Race Pasta Specials

In anticipation of the Chicago Marathon, Riva Crab House on Navy Pier will offer pasta specials on the Friday and Saturday night before the marathon. Specials will include the following: Penne with wild mushrooms, $20 (Wild mushrooms, Swiss Chard, parmigiano), Fettuccine with white shrimp, $28 (Cherry tomato fondue, basil, toasted garlic), Linguine with grilled vegetables, $18 (Grilled vegetables, garlic, pepper flakes, and olive oil).

Tuscany On Taylor Street
1014 W. Taylor St.
Chicago, IL 60607
www.tuscanychicago.com
When: Friday, October 10 through Saturday, October 11
What: Pre-Race Pasta Specials

Tuscany on Taylor Street will offer pasta specials on the Friday and Saturday night before the marathon. Specials include the following: Rigatoni, $16 (Tuscan sausage ragout, shaved pecorino), Lasagna, $17 (Roasted chicken, parmigiano, mozzarella, cognac cream sauce, touch of tomato sauce), Fettuccine, $18 (Egg noodles, duck, field mushrooms, parmigiano, brown butter truffle sauce), Agnolotti, $20 (Lobster filled round ravioli, basil pesto).