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HERE'S A TALE of small and large in Cambridge. The small is Small Plates, a non-traditional new American-tapas restaurant and wine bar. It's a complete renovation of the space where Iruña (and, for an eye blink, Conundrum) used to sit on JFK Street. New owner Jerome Picca promises high standards and fun food at fair prices. He plans to use local products and load all the paper, glass, and cardboard from the restaurant in the back of his wagon and recycle them in Boxboro, where he lives. The large is the new Tavern on the Square in Porter Square, in the very big space that was formerly Rustic Kitchen. It's the second Mass Ave location for the group that owns the Joshua Tree, Tavern in the Square in Central Square, and the Boston Beer Garden. Co-owner Stephen DeSousa says it'll be "the place to drink specialty beer and watch the game between Central Square and Arlington Center." There'll be 20 sandwiches, lots of appetizers, and scores of bottled and tap beers, plus 20 plasma TVs and three big screens. The Tavern is scheduled to open the first week in December.  >> A sweet deal at Betty's Wok & Noodle Diner: if you've been to a performance at Berklee, the Huntington Theater, or Symphony Hall, don't throw out your program or ticket stub - show it to the server at Betty's and you'll get a free coffee, cappuccino, or latte with your dessert. >> Add another Sunday prix fixe to the list: Prezza is now open Sundays for dinner from 6:30 to 9 p.m., serving a seasonal three-course menu all month long. The November "Essenzo di Prezza" is butternut squash arancini with lobster cream, chestnut ravioli with mascarpone, and roasted duck with mustard cabbage.  >> We're entering the time of year when a stiff drink and a good appetizer is the best gift to give yourself. Try the new Bar Bites menu at Pops: six bucks a "pop" for a hearty order of ribs, chicken spring rolls, or veggie pot stickers.