Riva's got the lock on upscale dining in the middle of junk-food-central Navy Pier. The restaurant relies a bit too much on the views—which, gazing southward over Lake Michigan, are admittedly fantastic—when it should concentrate on better cooking. Opt for simpler preparations, such as grilled salmon or various pastas, over the menu's more ambitious efforts. Grilled fish, shellfish, and steaks are pricey, though the hordes that crowd the place, especially in summer, don't seem to mind (good service helps). A casual grill downstairs, which spills onto the pier's promenade in summer, is kinder to your wallet.
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