Tapas, small plates satisfy diners’ appetite in summertime

Summertime dining can sometimes lack diversity, with its interchangeable menu of salads, wraps and grilled meats. With the mercury hovering at the top of the thermometer and swimsuit season in full swing, it just doesn't seem like the time to indulge in a heavy meal. The antidote? A meal made of small plates, or tapas.

The exact origins of Spanish tapas are up for debate, but the most accepted version is that slices of bread or meat were used to cover sherry glasses in bars and taverns, a practical measure that kept fruit flies away from the sweet drink. Despite that distinctly nonappetizing function, today's tapas are diverse in both cuisine and presentation, and are available at all times of day.

There are a number of unusual ways to enjoy tapas, and its slightly heartier cousin, small plates, in the Las Vegas Valley. Here are 10 ways to satisfy a taste for tapas.

1) Brunch

Border Grille, inside Mandalay Bay

Small plates, $29.99 all-you-can-eat

The perfect morning-after meal, Border Grille's Border Brunch, offered between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays, is an all-you-can-eat small plate extravaganza. For $29.99, diners can enjoy small portions of gourmet delights such as bread pudding French toast, bacon jalapeño PBJ (a flaky biscuit topped with peanut butter, grape jelly, bacon and jalapeño) or Yucatan eggs Benedict until they're stuffed. With 18 dishes to choose from, smart diners will go in a group and share. Those in need of a little hair of the dog can add bottomless mimosas for $5 more.

2) Buffet

Wicked Spoon, inside The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas

Small plates, from $22 (weekday brunch) to $35 (dinner)

Hungry locals can have their buffet and tapas too at the Wicked Spoon Buffet inside The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas. Rather than the communal food troughs of a traditional buffet, Wicked Spoon's patrons are treated to preportioned servings, presented in single-serve pots, plates and even tiny fryer baskets (for the french fries). From tiny take-out boxes with edamame and individual Caesar salads to delicate gnocchi and savory cod, the offerings are as far from the typical buffet fare as The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas is from the typical Strip casino.

3) Fusion

28GO The Restaurant, 4632 S. Maryland Parkway

Tapas, $2.50 to $8 each

Fresh ingredients rule at health-conscious 28GO. Diners can visit the UNLV-adjacent eatery for a selection of Asian-fusion tapas, including melt-off-the-bone grilled ribs ($8), belly rice (tiny bricks of steamed rice topped with braised pork belly, $4) and soy beans served with a garlic-infused dipping sauce with a side of tangy wasabi-lime sea salt ($4). Facebook fans can get in on chef Ty Suksangasophon's secret, limited-time specials, such as a fresh strawberry salad with mesclun greens and chopped pecans or a white rabbit mochi ice cream roll.

4) Eastern European

Bar Forte, 4180 S. Rainbow Blvd.

Tapas, $4.50 to $20 each

Eastern European food has a reputation for being heavy, sauce-laden and highly caloric, but Nina Manchev, owner of European tapas purveyor Bar Forte, shatters that notion. "These dishes are very light. Guests will feel good when they leave well, depending on how much they eat." Overeating might be an issue with choices like traditional Spanish pan con tomate ($4.50), bacon-wrapped dates stuffed with Marcona almonds ($5.50) and stuffed grape leaves ($4.75) all sharing the menu. While not strictly a tapas item, no diner should leave before experiencing the Adjarski Khachapurri ($7.50), a hot-out-of-the-oven bread boat filled with Georgian-style cheese, feta and a freshly cracked egg.

5) Appetizers

Addiction, inside Rumor Boutique Hotel, 455 E. Harmon Ave.

Tapas, $4 to $10 each.

Proof positive that size doesn't matter, the tiny Addiction restaurant, nestled inside Rumor, packs the most creativity into their tapa-tizer menu options. From the whimsical maple-bacon popcorn ($6) and PB&J (a grilled sandwich filled with pistachio peanut butter and served with a side of jam, $7) to epicurean offerings such as short rib nachos ($8) and the black cod tostada ($8), Addiction promises to live up to its name.

6) fine wines and more

Double Helix Wine & Whiskey Lounge, at Town Square

Small plates, $6 to $15 each

Possibly the most true to tapas' roots, Double Helix offers tasty small plates meant to complement the wine and whiskey offerings available at the bar. Diners can pair a plate of olive poppers (crisp olives stuffed with creamy honey goat cheese and chorizo, $6) with a Na'cho Average Quesadilla (a grown-up treat made with braised chicken and gruyere cheese, $9), while sipping a glass of Tobin James "Notorious" Cabernet Sauvignon. The bartenders and servers will happily suggest options for patrons who are overwhelmed with the drink menu, tailoring their recommendations to each guest's taste.

7) Fine Dining

Fleur by Hubert Keller, inside Mandalay Bay

Small plates, $3 to $60 each

The small plate trend comes to fine dining as Hubert Keller of "Top Chef Masters" created a menu fit for foodies on a budget. From the relatively simple ceci frito (fried chickpeas, $3), ceviche ($14) and brie flambée ($10) to splurges like seared foie gras ($22) and oestra caviar ($60), patrons can experience several dishes for the price of a single entrée. Diners can sit on the "patio" to enjoy people-watching at its finest inside Mandalay Bay, or beneath one of the should-be-cheesy-but-aren't antler chandeliers in the main dining room.

8) Mediterranean

AzuzA Hookah Lounge, 4480 Paradise Road

Tapas, $8 to $14 each

A hookah lounge usually doesn't come to mind when hungry Las Vegans are considering their options, but it would be a mistake to overlook the cheeky options on AzuzA's menu. Along with an extensive menu of imported teas and adult beverages, patrons can order up a plate of Mo'Rockin Caprese (feta-topped tomatoes garnished with dill, cilantro and an olive oil drizzle, $8), Oh! That's Pitafull (crispy pita bread stuffed with savory Egyptian-style ground beef, served with tzatziki and hot garlic sauces, $10) or crowd-favorite Chicks in Your Grill (chicken roasted in cilantro-dill butter, red onions and mint, served over jasmine rice, $11). If the names don't put a smile on customers' faces, the freshly prepared organic ingredients should do the trick.

9) Traditional

Barcelona Tapas & Bar, 10690 Southern Highlands Parkway Tapas, $4 to $10 each

There's something to be said for tradition, and Barcelona is a credit to its Spanish roots. The eatery pays tribute to the cuisine's origins with menu items like gazpacho ($4), boquerones (toasted French bread topped with anchovies and balsamic reduction, $5.50), pan fried dates ($5.50) and Camarones a la Diabla (spicy shrimp, $10). Though diners won't likely confuse the strip mall location with the European city, their tastebuds will most certainly be fooled.

10) The Original

Firefly Tapas Kitchen & Bar, 3900 Paradise Road, 9560 W. Sahara Ave., 11261 S. Eastern Ave. Tapas $3.50 to $10 each

Credited with igniting the tapas trend in Las Vegas, Firefly is so popular that the owners recently opened their third valley location in Henderson. Reservations are highly recommended, especially on weekend nights, as these hot spots fill up quickly. Top choices include an apple and manchego salad ($3.50), baked tetilla (a cheese fondue served with chorizo sausage, $9) and filet mignon sliders (mini burgers toped with Serrano ham, cabrales cheese and caramelized onions, $7.50).