8 N. Front St., Wilmington
910/762-1922
www.circa1922.com

HOURS: Sun.–Thurs. 5–10 p.m., Fri.–Sat. 5–11 p.m.

Circa 1922 specializes in small bites that are big on taste. Located in a historic building in the heart of downtown Wilmington, the restaurant boasts exposed brick walls, high ceilings, and gleaming wood floors that are as picture perfect as the entrées.

The tapas menu includes chicken and beef satés, imported cheeses, marinated artichokes, cured salmon, and other small plates. The dishes on the entrée menu ($9–17) are on the small side (servers recommend that two diners share three dishes) but the shrimp and grits, paella, Asian short ribs, and chicken orecchiette are so flavorful that a few bites of each can be quite filling.

When it comes to desserts, there is no such thing as a small plate. The crepes Gran Marnier, bananas Foster, and hot chocolate bar cake are served in massive portions (though some desserts are available in miniature versions).