We don't subscribe to the belief that you need a special occasion to enjoy delicious eats. But if there was ever a reason to indulge, running 26.2 miles is it. Whether you pounded the pavement up Heartbreak Hill — or stood on the sidelines screaming your heart out to keep the runners moving — you are going to be hungry at the finish. Which is exactly why we've rounded up some of the most wonderfully decadent dishes around town for your post-race pleasure. Dig in guys, you've earned it.
1. A Turtle donut from Kane's
After making a name for themselves over their 65-year history in Saugus, Kane’s finally opened a location in Downtown Boston last spring…and their decadent donuts have been a happy threat to our waistlines ever since. Honey Lemon, Red Velvet, and, of course, Boston Cream — all of their flavors are appealing — but the one that will really catch your eye is the Turtle. This is a cakey chocolate donut topped with honey glaze and caramel frosting (because why choose just one glaze?) made from scratch, then dipped in chopped Heath Bars and finished with a drizzle of dark chocolate over the top. Tip: eat half and save the rest for (one block) later.
Kane’s – 90 Oliver St., Boston, 857.317.2654, kaneshandcrafted.com
2. Pork belly poutine at Saus
Started by three local university grads after they lost their jobs in the 2008 recession, Saus “believes in the power of the condiment,” which is why they have more than 15 unique sauces on their menu. Their take on poutine is loaded with the stuff: housemade gravy, cheese curds, and your choice of five different toppings, including crispy pork belly. Still not enough calories for you? For an additional $1.75 you can splurge for the “big” portion.
Saus – 33 Union St., Boston, 617-248-8835, sausboston.com
3. The bottomless lasagna bolognese at MET Back Bay
If you’re looking for a carb-heavy dish that isn’t in the North End, head over to MET Back Bay, April 15 through April 17, for their Marathon Weekend special: bottomless Lasagna Bolognese. Yes, you read that correctly: bottomless. For $19, you get all-you-can-eat hand-cut lasagna, Bolognese sauce, and a generous amount of fontina and pecorino cheese plus a side of garlic bread. Still hungry? Their Bruleed Banana Split—dripping with hot fudge, caramel, and gooey marshmallow—is just the dish to top you off. After all, you’ll need to restock on potassium, which is found in bananas, to balance fluid and electrolyte levels in your body…right?
MET Back Bay – 279 Dartmouth St., Boston, 617-723-7575, metbackbay.com
4. The Le Mistral sandwich at Parish Café
Sports nutritionists have long argued for loading up on protein after a hard workout so that your body can repair the stretches and tears in your muscle fibers. With heaps of beef tenderloin marinated with garlic and rosemary piled high on ciabatta, Le Mistral — created by Ostra chef Mitchell Randall — is just that type of recovery vehicle. You’ll get some good starch, too, from the chive mashed potatoes and extra calories…er, calcium?...from the melted Bel Paese cheese that holds the whole thing together. The sandwich is finished with crispy onions and savory truffle aioli, and best enjoyed medium rare. It's also served with Cape Cod potato chips. Because, of course. (pictured above)
Parish Café – 361 Boylston St., 617-247-4777, parishcafe.com
5. The Patty Melt at Park
Is it a burger, a grilled cheese, or a Reuben? YES. This reinvented classic is all of those things. Loaded with griddled burger, gooey American cheese and Cholula-soaked onions stuffed between two crunchy slices of Rye, you haven’t made a decision this good since registering for the marathon. Go big and add an over-easy egg on top, then wash it all down with one of Park’sexclusive cask beers, which rotate every Thursday.
Park – Harvard Square, 59 JFK St., Cambridge, 617.491.9851, parkcambridge.com
6. The Cookie at Blue Dragon
This steroid-fed dessert is less cookie than full-blown dessert casserole. Served in a piping hot cast-iron skillet, you get a barely baked chocolate chip cookie (seriously, the last time I had this dish the inside of the cookie required a soup spoon) piled high with vanilla ice cream which drips down into every gooey bite, as it should. The whole thing is topped with soy caramel sauce. They typically serve it with a round of spoons, but post-26.2 it’s all you, baby.
Blue Dragon – 324 A St, Boston, 617.338.8585, ming.com/blue-dragon
7. Ferdinand, The Bull at Yvonne’s
Ferdinand, The Bull contains an entirely different type of calories: liquid. That’s right, I never said that we were talking exclusively about solid calories. This “large format” cocktail is intended to serve a group (and at $95, that’s with good reason) but even as a single pour it packs a caloric punch. Here’s what you get: tequila ocho, dry sherry, kahlua, lime, pineapple, orgeat (almond syrup pronounced "or-zsa"), and allspice. The entire thing comes on ice inside a large bowl with a spigot on the bottom for easy sharing.
Yvonne’s – 2 Winter Pl., Boston, 617-267-0047, yvonnesboston.com
