30 Sophisticated Starters

Luxe ingredients, such as quail eggs with caviar, gravlax, and Gruyere, set a posh tone from the start.

Why mess with a classic? Pair these Russian pancakes with creme fraiche and caviar.

Get the highest-quality ingredients possible to make a major impact.

Complement the cheese's gooey center with a sweet drizzle of maple syrup.

Fresh shrimp will really make this classic sing, but flash-frozen can work in a pinch.

Wrapped snugly in salty, meaty blankets, these stuffed figs are always irresistible.

Send a celebratory signal by serving up this lemon and sour-cream-infused mousse.

Delicate puffs of cheese-infused batter are perfect party bites.

Layers of cheese and nutty pear filling are as delicious as they are pretty.

Cream cheese creates luscious texture while letting the pungent cheese shine.

A meatless alternative with the texture and richness of traditional pate.

These toasts look ultra fancy but come together in a flash.

Set a thoughtful tone by greeting guests with individual tarts made in a muffin pan.

Usually made as one large pie, mini versions of the Moroccan specialty are finger-food friendly and can be made ahead.

Thinly sliced Bartlett pears are a sweet foil to tangy Roquefort.

Pink, white, and orange paint a pretty picture on this antipasti platter.

Expect three times the flavor in these savory puffs.

Like mini gift boxes, these pristine cubes of radish hold delicious crab salad.

Hollowed-out cucumbers become impressive vessels for creamy soup.

Calm the veggie's bite with a bit of butter and a touch of salt.

The crispy exterior yields to a warm, salty, addictive interior.

These frilly webs of cheese require only two ingredients.

Extra-thin beet slices become ruby-red rounds of flavor.

Endives become mini boats to transport utterly upscale ingredients.

The surprise? Sriracha gives this tartare its spicy edge.

Nestle a blue cheese and walnut filling in grape cups, herbed goat cheese in cherry tomato cups, or gazpacho in cucumber cups for easy appetizer eating without messy fingers.