Birk's Restaurant

Classic Americana Weekend Menu

New Happy Hour Appetizer at Birk's - Lamb Gyro

Small Bites and Cocktails: Your Guide to Small Plate Dining

Small plates and cocktails are one of today’s biggest food trends. The prospect of trying exotic flavors at a reasonable price and with few calories is something that few diners can resist. Read on to learn more about what makes small-plate dining so popular:

More Variety One of the most popular features of small plates is the tasting experience they provide. For example, a hamburger can be thought of as a small plate; but to make the humble burger more appealing, chefs will jazz it up with any number of fancy ingredients, including artisanal cheeses, exotic steakhouse beef, homemade sauces, or freshly baked buns. For the price of a full meal, you can order two or three small plates and enjoy a much more interesting culinary experience.

Exotic Ingredients Small bites and cocktails give diners a chance to try new, exotic food at a fraction of the cost of full meals. For example, black truffles are one of the world’s most expensive foods, costing nearly $400 per pound. Fine restaurants that offer small bites allow everyone to sample the rich, earthy taste of these mushrooms in the form of French fries tossed in truffle oil or sprinkled with truffle-flavored salt. Similarly, small cocktails may contain top-quality liquors without carrying an excessive price tag.

More Modest Portions Many diners assume that portion sizes make meals filling. This is not always true—protein and fiber promote the feeling of fullness, and are often the centerpieces of small plates. Meatloaf, mashed potatoes, and gravy make for a filling meal, but small bites like lump crab cakes, sliders, or chicken skewers can fill you up just as quickly, and with a fraction of the calories of meatloaf.

Birk’s Restaurant of Santa Clara offers a variety of small dishes and cocktails. We use many unusual ingredients like truffle oil, artisan cheeses, and top-shelf liquors to ensure that each dish is not only delicious, but also gives you a culinary experience like no other. Call us at (408) 512-3265 if you have any questions.

"The food and service were excellent."

Check out our Americana Menu for this weekend.