The New York City Marathon is this Sunday, November 1, and while nearly 60,000 runners prepare to tackle 26.2 miles across the five boroughs, the pre-race festivities are already getting underway. For those looking to fuel up before the big day, Olio e Più has a deal worth making room for. On Saturday, October 31, the beloved Italian restaurant’s East Village location will offer NYC Marathon runners 50% off pasta, giving participants a chance to enjoy a classic Italian carb-loading dinner at half the price.
The offer extends beyond runners, too. Each participant can bring up to six guests to join the meal, making it an opportunity to gather friends and family around the table before race-day excitement begins. With discounted pasta and room for a group, Olio e Più is turning the night before the marathon into an occasion of its own.
And there’s a good reason pasta is a runner’s best friend. Carb-loading helps stock the muscles and liver with glycogen, the body’s stored energy source, giving runners energy for the long haul. For endurance athletes, having enough carbohydrate stores can help delay fatigue during a demanding race. In other words, that pre-race pasta dinner isn’t just a treat; it’s part of a race-day nutrition plan. Runners should stick to familiar, carb-rich foods that sit well with their stomachs rather than experimenting with new dishes the night before the big day. Save the culinary experiments for after the finish line.
Courtesy of The Group Hospitality
Of course, the science behind carb-loading is only part of the appeal. A great pasta dinner should be satisfying in its own right, and Olio e Più’s menu makes a strong case for lingering over one more plate. The Knockturnal stopped by to sample the restaurant’s offerings, and the Paccheri alla Bolognese was an immediate standout. Made with beef ragù, soffritto, red wine, and pomodoro, this Neapolitan pasta dish was simple, hearty, and seriously yummy. The oversized tubes caught every bit of the rich, savory sauce, and the pasta was cooked just right. It was classic Italian cooking at its finest, with the kind of deep, comforting flavor that made us want to order another bowl.
The Lasagnetta Classica offered a different kind of comfort, layered with beef ragù, béchamel, and pomodoro. The savory meat sauce brought flavor, while the béchamel added a creamy softness that balanced the acidity of the tomato. The layers held their shape, with a satisfying texture in every bite. It’s a classic combination that doesn’t need much embellishment to make an impression.
The Spaghetti alla Carbonara offered a lighter but equally satisfying combination of flavors. Made with guanciale, black pepper, egg, Parmigiano, and chili oil, the dish was topped with a raw egg that added visual appeal and richness. The sauce clung to every strand, carrying the sharpness of the black pepper and the savory flavor of the guanciale throughout. The cured pork added just enough saltiness to complement the other ingredients, resulting in a balanced dish where each element had room to shine.
Courtesy of The Group Hospitality
While pasta is a major draw, there’s plenty more to explore on the menu. Olio e Più’s wood-fired oven turns house-made dough into crisp flatbreads, while the kitchen also serves seafood favorites like salmon and branzino, as well as lemon chicken piccata, meatballs, and a 12-ounce beef ribeye. The ribeye impressed with its rich marbling, bold beefy flavor, and tender, buttery texture that practically melted in our mouths. The steak was cooked just right, making it one of the more memorable steaks we’ve had in the city in a long time. It’s a menu with something for everyone.
The appeal extends beyond the food itself. Olio e Più captures the spirit of la dolce vita, bringing Italian cuisine and the tradition of gathering over a shared meal to Manhattan. Since opening in 2010, the restaurant has built a following with locations in Greenwich Village, the East Village, and Bryant Park. With friendly staff and attentive service, it’s the kind of place where one dish can easily turn into three.
Whether you’re gearing up to run or cheering from the sidelines, Olio e Più’s East Village location at 106 Third Avenue, on the corner of East 13th Street, offers a welcoming spot to gather over an Italian meal. We can’t promise the pasta will get you across the finish line, but a good dinner is a satisfying way to kick off marathon weekend. And beyond race day, the restaurant’s menu offers plenty to explore, and will satisfy all palates.
