Often, my favorite meal is one that brings flavors and textures together in small bites. Thus, I was thrilled to discover Sienna Wine Bar & Small Plates, which opened in Congress Park last June. The cozy spot serves a diverse menu of small plates, as well as more than 60 wines by the glass and bottle.

On a recent visit, a friend and I sampled our way through the menu: savory, half-dollar-size wild mushroom tarts with a warm, cheesy center; a round of creamy baked Brie wrapped inside a crispy phyllo crust with a toasted baguette; a pizza medley that included three bite-size pizzas topped with, respectively, sausage, blue cheese and fig, and cheese; and, our favorite, a trio of hot, half-moon-shape empanadas served with an herby and nicely acidic chimichurri sauce.

Tip: Try a glass of sparkling Cava Brut Rose with the empanadas and mushroom tarts, and a glass of the layered Four Vines Zinfandel with the pizza and Brie.

3422 E. 12th Ave., 303-355-2202