The moose was most unusual: flavorful twin fillets served on toast rounds, each topped with a fried oyster, in a rich port wine-mustard sauce.

But if all else fails, a two-ounce tin of caviar, a hard-cooked egg and some toast rounds would hold most people, at least during meal service.

A free crock of duck rillettes, a tasty spread meant to be slathered on the accompanying toast rounds, made a good first impression.

These came with squiggles of red pepper rémoulade and two toast rounds topped with roasted red peppers.

A take on the cojonudo replaces the traditional chorizo with bites of pig's cheeks topped with quail egg on toast rounds.

Once it was a gossamer smoked-trout mousse escorted by toast rounds.

Herbed toast rounds and bread topped with olive oil and fresh, chopped tomatoes also keep famished diners happy.

Rounds of delicious warm goat cheese arrived with crisp toast rounds and a well-dressed mesclun salad.

Fish soup served with toast rounds, grated Gruyere cheese and aioli, for further enrichment, is celestial.

A complimentary wedge of liver pâté, with tiny toast rounds, preceded the meal while candied fruit strips and dainty chocolate cookies ended it.