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.
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.