  We address the existence and stability of localized modes in the
two-dimensional (2D) linear Schroedinger lattice with two symmetric nonlinear
sites embedded into it, and a generalization for moderately localized
nonlinearity featuring two distinct symmetric maxima. The latter setting admits
a much greater variety of localized modes. Symmetric, antisymmetric, and
asymmetric discrete solitons are found, and a subcritical bifurcation,
accounting for the spontaneous symmetry breaking (SSB) of the symmetric modes
and transition to asymmetric ones, is identified. Existence and stability of
more complex 2D solutions in the form of discrete symmetric and asymmetric
vortices are also discussed.
