At Least 12 New Food Options Coming to Navy Pier

The $115 million first phase of the Navy Pier renovation, underway now, will bring at least a dozen new dining options to the most-visited tourist attraction in the Midwest. Specifically, Navy Pier reps say they're hoping 10-12 new quick-service options and two new sit-down restaurants will open in summer 2014 in the South Arcade. Some of the existing food options will be replaced.

The exact concepts are up in the air, and Navy Pier bigwigs are casting a wide net: they're asking restaurant and chefs to submit prospective concepts. Hoping to change the pier from tourist trap into "spectacular world class destination," they're using food and drink as a main cog in the plan. Other new features will include a new outdoor space (the "Pierscape"), a hotel, and a new entertainment district that will add "more adult, nighttime, and year-round activities."

The people at the pier will start reviewing submissions later in the month; look for many new restaurants there this summer.
· All Navy Pier Coverage [-ECHI-]
· Navy Pier Concept Submission
· Navy Pier [Official Site]
· Navy Pier redesign walks the line between populist and classy [Tribune]