SAN ANTONIO. This warm, intimate spot offers an unusual variety of French- and Mediterranean-influenced small plates, as well as a few entree-sized dishes. Choose from hot, cold, and wood-fired <i>meze</i>, and bring a few friends to share with. While the menu changes frequently, past favorites have included veal meatballs in vanilla-cinnamon sauce, jumbo shrimp cocktail with spicy horseradish sauce, and a wood-fired, four-cheese pizza with almond pesto and shaved red onions. An attractive patio takes advantage of the bustling atmosphere of Artisans Alley.

OLMOS PARK. Chef Damian Watel has French cooking in his blood. Descended from Louis XIV's chef (François Vatel, who took his own life believing he had disappointed the king), the latter-day Vatel prepares delicate sauces and savory dishes with authentic French flair at his eponymous restaurant. Try roasted quail or salmon in an unexpectedly rich tomato sauce. Sweetbreads dressed in a truffled crème fraîche also beautifully satisfy. A prix fixe dinner offers great value and includes the dessert of the day ­ hopefully a delicacy like banana ice cream!

ALAMO HEIGHTS. Whether you gather with friends in the friendly, inviting dining room or sit with your sweetie on the brookside patio, you're sure to enjoy the upscale brunch at this San Antonio gem. Bring your appetite: included in the price is an appetizer, house salad, entrée, assorted breads, dessert, and your choice of beverage, including wine and champagne. Milk-fed veal, fresh seafood, a shrimp salad croissant, and eggs Benedict are antidotes for sleepy tastebuds. Éclairs and cream puffs from the adjoining bakery will send you on your way with a satisfied sweet tooth.

ALAMO HEIGHTS. Say "bonjour," and then get out your chopsticks! Frederick's unassuming name doesn't even hint at the French-Vietnamese fusion cuisine that's offered and that diners embrace with gusto and delight. Scrumptious spring rolls whet your appetite and are an apt prelude to red snapper with sweet-and-sour sauce or five-spice duck breast with Cantonese rice. The somewhat unfamiliar novelty of French and Asian fare in combination results in innovative eats that will have your taste buds primed for return visits from nibble one.

ALAMO HEIGHTS. To find San Antonio's star French restaurant, look no further than L'Etoile. The stalwart establishment makes a frequent effort to update its offerings and please a younger generation of cosmopolitan eaters, providing them with sensational fare that's a lighter, more diverse take on traditional French cuisine. Sample baked brie wrapped in pastry to start, and then try tea-smoked salmon with horseradish sauce. You'll also find equally tempting desserts and an expanded wine list of Californian and French vintages.