Freshest Food at Navy Pier
Saturday, September 24, 2005
As a caveat, I should note that I work at Navy Pier, so I've tried pretty much all of the food options. For a full meal, Capi's is your best bet for decent food that's not bad for you.
It's not quite a sit-down restaurant. You get in what seems like a cafeteria-style line, look over the menu, and order at the counter. They give you a number and bring the food out to you at your table.
The decor is relaxing, with lots of different table options including booths and alfresco. Some of the tables themselves are wobbly. The drinks are self-serve and there is an area with utensils and napkins that are also self-serve.
When the food arrives (quickly), the first thing you will notice is the presentation - clean plates, large portion sizes, and the vegetables are very brightly colored. The lettuce and spinach are vibrant green, the tomatoes red, the peppers yellow and orange. Nothing looks wilted or old.
I have eaten (or been with people who have eaten) several of the panini sandwiches, bruschetta, pizzas, and caesar salads. The paninis are on the small size in terms of bread but they are stuffed to the brim with fresh mozzarella and meats and veggies. The bruschetta is my favorite item here; the chopped tomato and onion are perfectly seasoned and marinated and spooned generously over crisp bread. The pizzas are thin crust and not as filling as one would hope, but the ingredients are top-notch. The caesar salad is the best one I've had in a long time - it's very simple but flawless. The lettuce is romaine and all good leaves (and I've had it here multiple times, never have I had a gross piece of lettuce), the dressing is tart and savory, and the parmesian cheese is in freshly-shaved curls over the top. There are no croutons, but I didn't miss them.
Most main dishes are less than $10, which makes this place a favorite of lots of Navy Pier employees on payday - a weekly treat well earned, but not so expensive as to break the bank.