Bites Nearby: Tapas Around Annapolis

This time of year is great for catching up with old friends and family members, out-of-town guests and visitors. Many gatherings naturally center around food. That’s why tapas, or meals made up of several small plates to share, are a perfect plan for reuniting with an old gang

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

Choosing items to share off a menu is a group activity and discussing and experiencing new tastes can be a gustatory adventure. Patch compiled a list of restaurants around Anne Arundel County you can go to experience the small plate trend with your own loved ones.

Greater Annapolis

in the Annapolis Towne Centre at Parole features specialties like rum-smoked mahi mahi tiny tacos and a variety of ceviche (mixture of fish or shellfish in a tasty marinade), and their guacamole is made fresh to order. Oh, and they have all kinds of awesome rum drinks.

Edgewater

Bill Bateman's Bistro in Edgewater is still the newcomer in town, but they're finding a way to win the hearts (and stomachs) of locals with a small plates menu that includes the crab pretzel, Jamaican jerk chicken wings, Southwestern Chipotle eggrolls, shakin’ bacon fries, sweet potato stix and more. The bar in the center of the restaurant has games going and a half dozen beers on tap. If you're not looking for the sports scene, grab one of the roomy booths and chat over a couple items on the Starters menu.

Broadneck

is one of the best restaurants around Arnold for a small, quick bite. There's a huge variety on their appetizers menu, ranging from Bubba's fried shrimp to several Mexican samplers. They've also got a late night menu for those before-bedtime cravings.

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.

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.

Pasadena

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

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.