Tasty bruschetta on Long Island: 4 picks

Bruschetta is an Italian snack involving grilled bread traditionally topped with a chopped tomato salad. A big hit at small-plates restaurants, it's showing up these days in all kinds of creative variations. Here are a few.

SPUNTINO WINE BAR & ITALIAN TAPAS, The Gallery at Westbury Plaza, 1002 Old Country Rd., Garden City, 516-228-5400

The compelling roster of bruschetta at this Italian small- plates restaurant includes such toppings as seared tuna, chili peppers, olives and lemon zest ($5), and braised wild boar, Chianti jelly and pickled Brussels sprouts ($4.50).

UVA ROSSA, 243 Hempstead Ave., Malverne, 516-612-7400

This high-energy Italian tapas spot offers some inventive takes on bruschetta. Options include one topped with pickled figs, Taleggio cheese and roasted pistachios, another with wild mushrooms, manchego cheese and truffle oil, and a third with Gorgonzola, arugula and walnuts. (three for $13; five for $20)

THE ARDEN RESTAURANT, 201 Main St., Port Jefferson, 631-828-1111

This hopping Port Jefferson night spot puts a luxe spin on the genre with its lobster bruschetta ($14).

SPAGHETTINI PIZZA TRATTORIA, 106 Mineola Blvd., Mineola, 516-750-8044

Chef Franco Brunetti, who hails from southern Italy, offers a menu at his sleek new restaurant. that combines time-tested recipes from the Vetrano family with his own Italian repertoire. Try his octopus bruschetta, tender cuts of cephalopod combined with a chopped tomato mixture that's heaped onto grilled hunks of rustic bread. ($14)