Neighborhoods THE ART OF SPECTATING
by Allen Barra
It’s been two years since we’ve enjoyed the ING New York City Marathon, so let’s remind everyone: It’s nuts, with massive street closings in all five boroughs to accommodate 45,000 runners plus volunteers and over 1 million spectators. Of course, everyone’s in a good mood, and it’s a lot of fun — especially if you don’t have to run. In Brooklyn, Olea (171 Lafayette Avenue, Brooklyn, oleabrooklyn.com) is near mile eight, and you can’t do better for a view of the marathon than the glass-walled dining room. Try the Turkish breakfast and enjoy the full bar. Close to the finish line, head to the Time Warner Center (10 Columbus Circle), where Landmarc (landmarc-restaurant.com), on the third floor, opens at 7 a.m. with a full breakfast menu, including killer omelets and the best Bloody Mary in town. They will be taking reservations. Bouchon Bakery (bouchonbakery.com), also on the third floor, is not taking reservations, so get there when it opens at 11:30 a.m. for soup, salad, and sandwiches and a place to sit and watch the action. Visit ingnycmarathon.org.
Sun., Nov. 3, 7 a.m., 2013