Tantalizing Tapas at Meson Sabika: Bites Nearby

After large first and second helpings from Fourth of July picnics and barbeques, smaller food portions seem like an ideal choice.

Tapas are a way to sample a variety of dishes during a relaxed evening —this isn’t your typical eat and run fare.

Three to four guests can share each dish, which typically provides a few small bites that are meant to be savored and enjoyed. Diners order multiple tapas, usually beginning with cold and then moving to hot, followed by dessert.

Dishes are typically ordered two or three at a time at a leisurely pace.

Meson Sabika in Naperville sits on four sprawling acres and offers just the setting for enjoying a slow-paced meal. The stately old mansion is reminiscent of a charming Southern plantation, minus the Spanish moss.

Patio dining in the summer is a must with its lively atmosphere and picturesque grounds, although passing through the interior rooms might create a dilemma. They're charming too.

Sangria is a given during this visit, and both the white and red varieties with fresh, chopped fruit are winning choices.

Truly the only downside of Meson Sabika is its menu’s vast selection.

Salads, soup and savory paellas compliment a list of more than 25 hot, 20 cold and 12 dessert tapas.

Some must-try items include Patatas con Alioi, which is by the restaurant's description “robust garlic potato salad” and is extremely delicious—and worth it if you don’t mind for one night being banished into the guest bedroom because garlic is seeping from your pores.

The portobello mushrooms with raisins, almonds and cheese (Portobello Relleno), bacon-wrapped dates and the beef tenderloin are all wonderful beginner choices. Lamb, veal and duck are also prepared for the more adventurous palates.

If you’re having a hard time deciding, just keep in mind that you can always come back for another visit. The problem is that you’ll develop your favorites and will want to include them every time.

And if that’s the biggest challenge of the day, well then “La vida es muy buena.” (Life is very good.)