Chicago cafes – Hillary Weller

2013 Best Bite #19: Sandwich trio, Duran European Sandwiches Café

Each day in December, I’m celebrating the rest of the best bites (and sips) that I didn’t get to blog about in 2013, posted in chronological order. Browse all of this year’s Best Bites, or look back at 2012’s Best Bites.

Sandwich trio: Spanish boquerone with puta spread, egg, cucumber, tomato; curry egg salad with cucumber and radishes; and roast beef with chive cream cheese, roasted red peppers, chives, and horseradish

Why it’s another 2013 Best Bite: This new European café in River West specializes in miniature open-faced sandwiches, its cases lined with more than two dozen petite varieties. Once I got past how simply adorable they were, I landed on a colorful, well-rounded trio of roast beef, boquerone (Spanish anchovy), and curry egg salad. I think my favorite pairing was the beef and rich chive cream cheese, although I also liked the niçoise-style flavors of the boquerone. The three sandwiches and iced coffee made a superb light lunch.

The details: Duran European Sandwiches Café, 529 N. Milwaukee Ave., Chicago.

This week’s Best Bite: French onion soup and chicken curry crepe, La Creperie

Traditional french onion soup, with bread and melted emmenthal cheese — Traditional French onion soup, with bread and melted emmenthal cheese

Why it’s this week’s Best Bite: Sadly, my first visit to La Creperie was in its final weeks of operation – the classic Lakeview café is closing its doors after 41 years in business. With added urgency, my friend chose to celebrate his birthday over brunch here this past weekend, and I was happy to oblige. I was immediately charmed by the back patio, with red-checkered tablecloths and quaint china atop tables that were nestled between the trees. And while it’s a little rare to order an appetizer with brunch, we’d heard this French onion soup was not to be missed – and am I ever glad we didn’t miss it! The broiled lid of emmenthal cheese was everything you’d want this classic soup’s topper to be: mild and gooey inside, with crispier bits to tear off around the edges of the crock. The deep onion flavor shone through in the broth, accented by thyme and not overly salty.

Crepe filled with chicken in Madras curry with chutney & rice

Although I barely had enough room left, I also enjoyed my variety of the café’s namesake dish. The crepe itself was thin, but hearty enough to hold up to the savory fillings. The creamy madras curry sauce was delicious with the tender vegetables and chicken, and though the rice seemed like more of an afterthought, the chutney added a nice sweetness – so much so that I piled on a little more of my own gingery Major Grey when I finished off my crepe leftovers back at home.

The café's sign in its final weeks — The café’s sign in its final weeks

The details: La Creperie, 2845 N Clark St., Chicago (closing, effective late August 2013).