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12 Long Island restaurants serving small plates

Oysters stuffed with spinach béchamel, marscapone, bacon and

Doug Young

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Not only are small plates a local dining trend -- they're a nationwide phenomenon. Here are Long Island restaurants where small plates rule.

  • Critic rating 3
    Oysters stuffed with spinach béchamel, marscapone, bacon and

    Cafe Buenos Aires $$$ | Portuguese, Argentine 23 Wall St. Huntington The cuisine of Argentina stands out here. But one of the most popular menus covers the kitchen's spins on tapas: grilled sardines, paella with chorizo sausage, garlicky shrimp, assorted empanadas and, of course, Serrano ham. Most small plates in the $8-to-$12 range.

  • Critic rating 1.5
    The meat and cheese platter at Espana in

    Espana Tapas & Wine Bar $$ | Small plates, Tapas, European, Spanish 655 Middle Country Rd. St. James At this classically Spanish tapas and wine bar, host Julio Caro will guide you through the roster of traditional small plates. Try the tender Galician-style octopus with sweet and spicy paprika, as well as the assorted Spanish meats and cheeses, the crisp patas bravas and croquetas de jamon -- crunchy little ham croquettes. Most small plates in the $7-to-$11 range.

  • Critic rating 2.5
    Chef Adam Pitré prepares an exceptional Catapano Dairy

    Five.Five 2 $$$ | New American, Tapas, Wine bar 552 North Country Rd. St. James What are listed as tapas are offered at the bar, but also are available in the dining room of this New American restaurant. Winners include Gloucester deviled eggs with lobster and citrus aioli, Wagyu beef sliders, diver scallops with Sicilian blood-orange syrup, and the duck egg roll. Most small plates in the $9-to-$14 range.

  • Critic rating 2
    A silky, thinly sliced steamed sea bass with

    Ichiz $$ | Sushi, Japanese, New American 301 Main St. Huntington Sleek and contemporary, Ichiz is at ease with traditional as well as nouveau fare. Notable choices include the tuna bruschetta with avocado and tomato; filet mignon sliders with wasabi mayonnaise; steamed sea bass with ginger, soy and pesto; napa cabbage salad with daikon, edamame and miso vinaigrette. Most small plates in the $6-to-$18 range.

  • Critic rating 3.5
    Fricassee of cipollini onions is served at Lola,

    Lola $$$$ | New American, Small plates 113 Middle Neck Rd. Great Neck A haute fantasy in small plates and big flavors where the menu changes daily. Tasting plates might include baked scallop in roe-flecked sauce, “tandoori inspired” venison chop with apricot chutney and a savory fricassee of cipollini onions, mushrooms, chestnuts and haricots verts.

  • Critic rating 2
    Salmon crudo is topped with shavings of fennel

    Lulu Trattoria $$$ | Italian, Small plates, Pizza, Pasta 348 E. Jericho Tpke. Mineola Buoyant, busy Lula Trattoria signals party time. Among the small-plate dishes that fuel the festivities are tuna crudo, salmon crudo, duck prosciutto, spicy coppa and meatball sliders. Most small plates in the $7-to-$12 range.

  • Critic rating 3
    Go whole hog with pressed suckling pig, a

    Roots Bistro Gourmand $$$ | French 399 Montauk Hwy. West Islip Plates large and small star at Roots Bistro Gourmand, a creative union of cuisines. Recommended: pressed suckling pig, butter-poached lobster, poached egg on polenta, root-vegetable terrine, risotto "lollipops," steak tartare, duck confit. Most small plates in the $12-to-$16 range.

  • User rating 3
    Smoked anchovies are served on a house-baked ciabatta

    Salumi $$ | Tapas, Small plates, Spanish 5600 Merrick Rd. Massapequa Rustic wood furnishings and a Euro-tavern vibe define this South Shore wine bar, where the globally sourced cured meats and cheeses may be ordered individually or as "boards." The mix of Mediterranean small plates includes tender octopus with tomatillo salsa and pepitas, flaky empanadas with a daily-changing filling as well as roasted Brussels sprouts with chestnut cream. Most small plates in the $6-to-$10 range.

  • User rating 4
    Mussels with a homemade pretzel is served at

    Savoy Tavern New American, Italian 16 Merrick Ave. Merrick The pubby and the not-so mix easily here, all washed down with very good brews on draft and in bottle, plus lively cocktails and dependable wines. The small plates range from $7 to $16 and include Sicilian chickpea fritters, Tucson pork buns and baked clams.

  • User rating 4
    The dining area at Toast and Tapas, a

    Toast & Tapas Tapas, American, Breakfast, Lunch, Burgers, Small plates 4 Berry Hill Rd. Syosset Executive chef Zane Smith's dinner menu features big and small plates, with standouts among the tapas including filet mignon brochettes with lemon orzo ($14), Bayou crabcakes ($13) and golden beet and brussels sprout Napoleon ($10).

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