Bites Nearby: Tapas and Small Plates

We all have that feeling of looking at a great restaurant menu and wishing we could order a little bit of everything. That's what's so cool about tapas and small plates.

Tapas usually involve appetizers and snacks of Spanish cuisine, but small plates can involve all kinds of different foods.

It's a bit tough to find a totally pure tapas restaurant, but there are plenty of places in the area with small dishes that are great for sharing with friends and family.

“Tapas” comes from traditional Spanish snacks and appetizers, but many types of restaurants offer their own version of “small plates.”

Severn area

Red Parrot Asian Bistro, located in Hanover near Arundel Mills, is one of the most unique Asian-styled restaurants in the greater Severn area. Tucked away in the shopping centers with Maiwand Kebob and Starbucks, Red Parrot has everything from traditional cuisines like sushi to more unique meals like Maguro Tartare, spicy tuna topped with a quail egg. The restaurant also serves small plates featuring sashimi and other various sushi dishes. 

Odenton area

The closest thing to tapas we can think of locally is the Four Seasons Grille at the Village at Waugh Chapel, which has a variety of Mediterranean options, including appetizers that could serve as small plates themselves. There are options like beef Wellington bruschetta, scallops Napoleon and imperial mushroom caps, plus a Mediterranean plate hummus, vegetables and an array of olives and pita bread. There’s also a goat cheese brulee and some rosemary mango beef skewers.

Crofton

 is also an eat-in restaurant serving food in small and large portions. Lunch or dinner options include roasted rack of lamb, broccoli and rice stuffed chicken breasts, sundried tomato crusted rack of lam, or coq au vin. 

Severna Park
 features entrees such as pizza, steaks, seafood and even desserts from the wood-fired grill. Small plates are available on a select part of the menu.

Pasadena

 has a late-night tapas menu, along with pretty much everything else you might want. Give it a shot