Petite Paris Plates

Acclaimed chef Hélène Darroze continues to wow her gastro groupies at Toustem, a New Age bistro housed in the basement of an historic house in the Latin quarter. Here … the Michelin star-awarded chef presents inventive, Basque-inspired tapas beneath 13th-century vaulted ceilings: think chili cod tartines among other flavors from her native southwest. The decor in shades of orange and amber is as modern as the food is unique, and all for prices that won't bust the budget. [link]

Just like Spanish tapas and Italian antipasti, Lebanese meze platters lend themselves to those occasions when a snack -- not a smorgasbord -- is called for. Enter … Restaurant Al Wady. Located down an out of the way street in an unattractive coin of the 15th arrondissement, it is nonetheless worth the trek to try this Lebanese restaurant where pint-sized nibbles do not equate with pint-sized flavor. Try Al Wady's special moutabal, a smoky aubergine caviar crowned with walnuts and red pomegranate seeds, move on to the spinach fritters or char-grilled meaty brochettes, and finish up with small squares of honeyed pastries. [link]

Eating at the bar takes on a whole new meaning at L'Atelier de Joël Robuchon, a swanky space dominated by dramatic red and black tones. In a twist on traditional dining, … the famed French chef has created a restaurant specializing in small plates -- and offers only bar seating with a view to the open kitchen. Try grilled sardines on melba toast or a ravioli of crayfish with foie gras sauce. Dining here can fast become an expensive proposition, but the chance to nibble at the table on one of France's best chefs is probably worth it. Reservations are taken only for the first sitting beginning at 6: 30 p.m. After that it's first in, best dressed. [link]

With a clientele including such designer heavyweights as Marc Jacobs and Azzedine Alaïa, it's little wonder Ferdi does a brisk trade in fashionista-sized plates. Run by … husband-and-wife team Alicia and Jacques Fontanier, the decor is a funky mix of neighborhood charm and intimate eccentricity courtesy of the family photos and children's toys scattered around the red velvet banquets. And the food? Though some come for what is considered to be the best cheeseburger in Paris, others take advantage of South American-inspired tapas-sized plates. Wash it down with a perfectly poured mojito. [link]

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Just a few hundred meters from the Arc de Triomphe, Casa Tina certainly does a good job of recreating a small corner of Spain in the chichi 16th: dried chilies hang from … the ceiling, a leg of cured jamon mounts the bar, and little plates of delicious edibles jostle for space on tiny tables alongside jugs of sangria. Though the kitchen prepares decent paella, the real attraction is an extensive tapas menu encompassing everything from stuffed mussels and fried calamari, to cumin-spiced carrots and thick wedges of potato tortilla. Not as cheap as what you would find in Spain, to be sure, however the buzzy vibe and cheerful service goes some way to redressing the balance. Book ahead. [link]