Surely, you think, an odder pairing of foodstuffs could not be possible. But at Capra's Coffee in Chicago, it's not just possible - it's their business.

Actually, it was this odd combination that first drew me to walk into Capra's doors - for, as offbeat as the taste combination was, I was craving an espresso and had been in the mood for sushi. If their sushi looked unappetizing, I figured I could always escape to the other sushi place further down the block. Capra's is stocked with Japanese treats and of course, coffee-related goods, looking like a coffee shop ran full tilt into a Hello, Kitty store. They're also always very busy, with their limited number of tables and counter seating often filled, but their service is quick and pleasant.

They have a case of ready-made sushi available, for those of you in a hurry, but the best thing about Capra's is the sushi is fresh. It used to be that the sushi chef worked the front side of the counter, so you could watch him work, but these days the sushi is prepared in the back room, and it is wonderfully fresh; you can taste the quality. And although it may be slightly more expensive than some of the other local sushi spots, that quality makes up the difference. As they make their products fresh, you may have to wait a few minutes for delivery (especially their soups), but that is a positive as far as I'm concerned. My personal favorites are the California spicy sushi, the udon soup, and the seaweed salad.

But, lest you forget where you are, this is after all a coffee shop, and they have not only an extensive coffee/espresso drink menu, but a wide variety of teas as well. Additionally, they offer bubble teas, which is the Taiwanese version of chai - frozen blended tea/fruit drinks, served with or without tapioca balls (the "bubbles"). These unusual drinks are quite refreshing on a hot summer day.

So the next time you're craving sushi in the Loop, remember that a coffeehouse is where it's at!

Capra's Coffee (Loop)
46 S. Clark St., Chicago
312/422-0142

Capra's Coffee (Streeterville)
205 E. Ohio, Chicago
312/329-0063