jamon serrano — A healthy lifestyle blog for professionals focused on nutrition, fitness, and self care.

Have an event coming up and need to whip up a quick and easy edible centerpiece to decorate your table, create a theme for a party, or provide simple snacks? Consider an easy Spanish tapas board as a great way to impress guests by keeping your budget down and tastes elaborate.

I love creating charcuterie boards because you can use what you have and design in an attractive way that invites foodies to indulge at their leisure. Finger foods also serve as conversational pieces at cocktail parties or get-togethers of any type by complementing the flow of a room or event.

Key ingredients / staples for tapas boards:

Serrano ham
Two or three cheeses (Spanish manchego cheese is a favorite!)
Marcona almonds
Green or black olives
Olive oil drizzle
Honey drizzle
Crackers or bread for dipping

Arrange the food items on a cutting board or large plate — the more rustic- or unique-looking, the better! Organize the food items so that they are not touching each other to maintain a neat and aesthetically please look. Don’t overcrowd the board, and be sure to give each food item the real estate it deserves. Serve food items at a slightly cool temperature to allow them to come to room temperature for optimal taste.

Don’t have all of the ingredients? Use what you have by splitting up food items onto their own plates for viewing and tasting pleasure.

Here are some photos below for organization inspiration:

Have fun creating your own Spanish tapas board, and leave us a pic or two of your own design!

First image above: Shutterstock.

“Wow,” was the first thought that came to mind as I walked into the loud, bustling restaurant named “Vidrio” in downtown Raleigh on a cool March evening in 2019. My cousin had asked me if I knew what “vidrio” meant and whether it was Spanish. I thought and responded quickly, “Yes, of course. ‘Vidrio’ means glass in Spanish.” But after responding to her, I could not picture what that meant in the context of this new modern restaurant; I was super curious.

Walking into Vidrio took my breath away. I was immediately distracted by the vibrant colors, unique glassware protruding from the main wall several feet high, and the rich ambiance reflecting foodies who enjoyed Mediterranean food just like me. I was so in awe that I admit I snapped a few photos before being seated.

Once we took our seats, I immediately asked our server for a brief tour of the restaurant after dinner. I had never seen any restaurant like this. It was then I would learn that Doug Frates (https://www.dougfratesglass.com/), the artist behind the glass masterpieces, had created the mural of “vibrant orbs, which are designed to inspire visions of Mediterranean sunrises or sunsets over crystal-blue waters” (source: www.vidrio.com). Covering one of the restaurant’s back walls, in fact, was a reel of projected photos that alternated images of various Mediterranean landscapes including countrysides, sunrises, and sunsets.

*Vidrio main dining room ceiling decorations*

I would like to say that the best part about this restaurant is its glassware, and it it probably is. But its food and drinks do not disappoint. After all, my cousin had brought me to this restaurant knowing I enjoy authentic food and unique dining experiences. We began our evening by ordering a variety of tapas. I expected the portions to be small as tapas tend to be in the U.S. However, Vidrio served such generous portions that we ended up ordering more than enough!

*Patatas bravas (fingerling potatoes in a tomato-based sauce)*

The food was tasty and generous in portion size, the ambiance was breathtaking, and the vibes were trendy. We had cocktails and wine, and all drinks impressed as well. Dress is trendy to casual; this would be a great date night spot or night out on the town with your favorite friends. The restaurant tends to be on the pricier side, but it is worth the cost to experience the environment and food.

After dinner, we embarked on our tour and noticed a wine cellar and more than enough space to host a private party perfect for a wedding reception or networking event.

Last but not least, the service was impeccable. We were greeted; our server was attentive; and the manager gave us the personal tour of the space after our meal. This place is definitely worth a try if you’re looking for Mediterranean fare in an upscale, modern atmosphere.

All opinions are my own, and I received no compensation for expressing them.

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