Tucked away in River Oaks, Giacomo's is a casual Italian and wine fixture that delivers big on flavor when you get a major craving for carbs — future marathoners take note. Here, chef and owner Lynette Hawkins, who lived in Italy during her formative years, and honed her chops at Damian's and her former Tuscan gem, La Mora Cucina Toscana, serves up an unworldly array of signature house pastas and no-fail classics, including a hearty bolognese and creamy spaghetti alla carbonara. It is blessed by the porcine gods with bits of cured guanciale, or pork jowl, lacing the al dente semolina pasta. The pappardelle ai funghi e gorgonzola will delight shroom-lovers who are hell bent on getting downright sinful with a white wine and gorgonzola cheese sauce. There's also the standout tortelli di bietola, or half moon ravioli, filled by hand with Swiss chard, rich ricotta and goat cheese, and served in a decadent sage brown butter. Add in a selection of incredible wines by some of the world's greatest female wine makers (the floral white Zibibbo is a standout), a few cichetti (small plates) and a table in the courtyard, and yeah, you'd better start that 10K training pronto.