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Our favorite spots for tapas

A wide selection of tapas, such as these

Rebecca Cooney

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Here are some favorite tables in Nassau and Suffolk where you'll revel in tapas and small plates, one bite at a time.

User rating 4

Bahia Social Club $$ | Lounge, Pub, Brazilian, Tapas, Small plates 832 W Beech St. Long Beach Tapas get a Brazilian twist at this lively but laid-back Long Beach spot, where chef Richard Reilly turns out an alluring array. In a traditional vein are crisp and creamy little croquetas de jamon (ham croquettes) and salt cod (bacalo) fritters as well as classic patatas bravas. You also can sample fine fish tacos as well as Portuguese-style mussels.
User rating 3

Barrique Kitchen & Wine Bar $$ | Eclectic, Fusion, Small plates 69 Deer Park Ave. Babylon There's a real buzz at this popular wine bar offering a global roster of small plates as well as charcuterie (meats and cheeses). Among choices are irresistible veal meatball sliders, a refreshing watermelon salad as well as roasted baby octopus and seared sea scallops.
Critic rating 3

Cafe Buenos Aires $$ | Portuguese, Argentine 23 Wall St. Huntington The three-star establishment specializes in the cuisine of Argentina, where Hugo Garcia said many tapas also are served. The choices here include seviche, serrano ham, grilled chorizo, shrimp finished with garlic and olive oil, frittatas, fried oysters with fruit chutney, Galician-style octopus with paprika and olive oil, meatballs, empanadas, piquillo pepper stuffed with braised short rib and rice, short-rib sliders, oysters with spinach, mascarpone and bacon.
Critic rating 2.5

Cedar Creek American Bar & Grill $$$ | American, New American, Bistros - Brasseries 75 Cedar Swamp Rd. Glen Cove "Small bites" jump-start the dining at Cedar Creek, which has a more structured American menu, too. Typical selections include Chicago-style hot-dog sliders; house-made potato chips with blue cheese; mini ham-and-cheese sandwiches; a Duroc pulled-pork slider with coleslaw; fried oysters; andouille sausage with cornichons, mustard and toast points; "shrimp cocktail bites"; and onion rings with lemon garlic mayo.
Critic rating 2

Copa Wine Bar and Tapas $$$ 95 School St. Bridgehampton Copa veers traditional and segues international with its small plates. The competition over the years: Iberico and serrano hams vie with prosciutto and bresaola; Manchego competes with Parmesan; charred octopus with piquillo peppers matches zucchini croquettes with feta; garlic shrimp find a rival in lamb meatballs. Enjoy the grilled bread rubbed with tomato, garlic and olive oil, too.
Critic rating 1.5

Espana Tapas & Wine Bar $$ | Small plates, Tapas, European, Spanish 655 Middle Country Rd. St. James Castilian traditions rule at this charming tapas and wine bar that's way bigger than it looks from the street. Julio Caro is a gracious host, offering tips on ordering from chef Sebastian Cambeiro's repertoire. Highlights include oh-so-tender Galician-style octopus, crisp patatas bravas, a comforting tortilla Espanola (mini-omelet with potatoes and onions) and the classic croquetas de jamon, crisp little ham croquettes.
Critic rating 3.5

Lola $$$$ | New American, Small plates 113 Middle Neck Rd. Great Neck Michael Ginor's imaginative, high-style restaurant serves tapas Sunday and Tuesday, and at lunch Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. The dishes change frequently. A sampler: spicy tuna with Thai shrimp chips, baked goat cheese filled with piquillo pepper and arugula salad, tuna tartare and avocado tempura, Beijing duck slider, patatas bravas, marinated hanger steak with spicy rice balls, duck-leg confit with mole negro.
Critic rating 3

Pentimento $$$ | Italian 93 Main St. Stony Brook "Italian style tapas" are among the attractions at Dennis Young's three-star spot. The choices include prosciutto-and-fig jam bruschetta, meatballs with tomato-basil sauce, sauteed shrimp spiked with limoncello. Also: marinated French, Greek and Italian olives; sheep's milk ricotta accented with thyme; piquillo peppers stuffed with tuna; and "pastrami salmon."
User rating 4

Salumi $$ | Tapas, Small plates, Spanish 5600 Merrick Rd. Massapequa In a rustic setting evoking an old European tavern, co-owners Kanarova and Kobrin offer a variety of tapas plates, along with meat and cheese "boards." You'll find hand-carved Spanish serrano ham as well as house-made duck rillettes and aged prosciutto from Parma. Among imported Spanish, French and Italian cheeses: Manchego, d'Affinois and Tallegio. Chef Dereck Linker's small plate selections include patatas bravas, short ribs, bacon "pinchos" and fried marcona almonds with sea salt.
Critic rating 2

Swallow $$$ | New American, Small plates 366 New York Ave. Huntington Swallow is about as big as a tapa. And the cozy eatery brings in a New American variation on the theme: Black Angus sliders with tomato jam, foie gras terrine with Spanish onion marmalade, a pulled-chicken tostada with house-made hot sauce and queso fresco, a lobster quesadilla with wasabi mayonnaise, a union of spiced shrimp and andouille sausage, and Moroccan braised short ribs with apricot-and-couscous salad.