The BLACK SWAN is a wine bar offering small plate "tapas style" appetizers to complement your wine. Tapas originated in southern Spain. Originally, a small, free tapa was served with drinks in bars. The word tapa originally meant "cover". According to culinary legend, these tapas were used to cover wine glasses to keep the aroma in and the flies and insects out. They were small plates with simple ingredients. These days, however, tapas can be almost any recipe or style of food as long as the portions are small.
Here at Black Swan, I define tapas more as a style of eating than as particular recipes. They are an informal way of sharing small dishes. The main appeal of tapas, I think, is that they offer such an informal, fun and social style of eating. You meet your friends. You chat. You have a glass of wine and order a few little plates. You share and you sample a little of everything. Maybe you don't even sit down, but lean against the bar or walk outside. You relax and enjoy the experience. It is an unhurried, enjoyable and socialable time and leaves us ready to go home with a much happier heart.
