hink tapas is so yesterday? Think again. It seems as though this year was devoted to small plates, but our vote for the year's most promising new tapas joint goes to Pintxo, who dished out the most wildly original one-bite treats. Billed as a “nueva modiva Basqua,” the Spanish Basque restaurant doles out modern Basque bites - also known as Pintxo’s (make sense?). Filet of Basque cod served with pepper and tomato salsa is sophisticated and satisfying, while the Pintxo de Pulpo a la gallega is a mini squid indulgence. Mains (Los Platos) are also imaginatively done. The Filet Mignon with goat cheese is superb; served rare and lightly filmed with herbal butter, the steak is almost buoyant in its flavourful juices. A saffron risotto helps to give the pan-roasted duck breast a winning Spanish flair. Equally heady is the calf lamb with couscous. Sliced into ruddy coins, the meat is tender, flavourful and ably supported by an intense reduction of red wine and shallots. As for the scene: is a good Spanish eatery ever anything but lively? -K.J.