New Aged Cheese: Your Guide to the Top 10 Charcuterie Boards in America
Charcuterie is an art that’s far from new. It’s been around over 6,000 years, originally based on the necessary preservation of meats via methods like salting, curing, and smoking before we had the technology to keep meats refrigerated. Pair these methods with an assortment of cheeses and you have a party favorite that has had our hearts (and our taste buds) for centuries. Originally made popular by the French, these tasty artisanal boards have blown up in terms of popularity all throughout the United States. Perfect for parties, art exhibitions, and wine tastings- these boards offer an experience that’s not only a flavorful but also social and entertaining; a way to bring people together. Today’s chefs are coming up with more creative, artisanal ways to serve up charcuterie in order to satisfy the ever changing pallets of consumers in today’s market, offering interesting twists on an age-old favorite.
If you’re looking to sample some of the tastiest, creative charcuterie boards in North America, (So if you want to taste a party pate or experience a truly unique Terrein terrain) here are 10 particularly indulgent charcuterie hot spots worth trying.
10. Dilworth Tasting Room
Located in the heart of Dilworth, this circa-194o’s style building creates an atmosphere reminiscent of the wine bars and Enotecas of Europe but with a modern twist. Owner Jaffer Kovic created a space that offers a unique tasting experience, with cheese and salumi options changing based on local availability to compliment a bold and unique wine list focused on low-production, high-quality wines.
300 E. Tremont Ave. Charlotte, NC 28203. Call 704.595.3337, or visit https://www.dilworthtr.com/
9. PB Catch
For a fresh take on cured meats, chef de cuisine Aaron Black surprises and delights us by offering his twist on the traditional charcuterie board. He makes some amazing cured fish. Black developed his own version of seafood charcuterie, which he named “seacuterie.” The seacuterie offered at PB Catch includes a choice of three or six selections and the menu changes daily based on what’s fresh in the area.
251 Sunrise Ave., Palm Beach. Call 561-655-5558, or visit https://pbcatch.com/
8. Bar Boulud Boston
Created by Chef Tristan Crépin, who came to Boston after stints at Bar Boulud’s New York and London locations, the charcuterie program at Daniel Boulud’s newest restaurant aims to create an approachable experience with traditional French charcuterie. They incorporate different housemade terrines and pâtés using local, fresh ingredients. Come here and experience flavors that offer his own twist on these traditional boards. Some of these culturally inspired boards include a lamb terrine with Moroccan spices and a cured jamón Ibérico from Spain.
776 Boylston St, Boston, MA 02199. Call (617) 535-8800 or visit https://www.barboulud.com/boston/
7. Ravello
Located in the Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World Resort, Ravello (named after the city in Italy) exhibits excellence in every way.“Four Seasons service pairs with the food at “Ravello” like a fine chianti from Tuscany” this restaurant is loved by families and critics alike. It offers a wide arrangement of Italian imports in a sleek, sophisticated space, perfect for hosting social events with good friends or family.
10100 Dream Tree Boulevard, Orlando, FL 32836 ( 407) 313-7777 visit https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/dining/four-seasons/ravello/
6. The Miami Larder
This Miami-based culinary powerhouse lead by Chef Michael Hesse adds a colorful, artistic twist featuring refreshing fruits on a bombastic, intagram-able board, bringing a gorgeous pop of color to any table. Beyond that, what makes this service unique is that the Miami Larder will deliver right to your door for the utmost convenience. Meaning, you can have these delicious assortments in the comfort of your own home, sent as a gift or catering for a social event. Plus, with all of the fruits and veggies offered, this board is ideal for all of your vegetarian friends’ needs.
call or visit https://themiamilarder.com/
5. Spread & Co.
Take a break from the Southern aura of Texas and give your tastebuds a new adventure to savor. Based in Austin, this cheese and charcuterie delivery service focuses on designing artful and colorful boards to order for a solo (or coupled up) night of delicious indulgence. At Spread & Co., you can find jam, pickles, mustard, and hummus, made from scratch with seasonal rotations to keep you coming back for more. With the option to choose between four sizes, you can make sure the stress of planning for your next party is avoided with deliciousness delivered right to your door.
Austin, Texas, 78704, visit http://www.spreadandco.com/
4. Cinder Copper and Lace
Known for their natural ciders and sour beers, Cinder Copper and Lace shows us their values by sourcing from sustainable and quality products. This is no exception when it comes to their charcuterie plate. Always served with six items, the current charcuterie board is served with chicken liver mousse, prosciutto rossa, herbs du Provence salami, piccante salami, duck rillets, and housemade pâté and pairs perfectly with their artisan ciders and beers.
1500 Locust St. Philadelphia 267-761-5582 https://www.cindercl.com/
3. Acadia
Chef Ryan McCaskey’s elegant South Loop restaurant stuns us with their modern American fare offering cuisine that exhibits his connection to Maine. Acadia also has become known for its housemade charcuterie, a rotating selection of cuts that has included lomo, chicken liver mousse, wild boar and venison terrines, headcheese, lamb bacon, lamb pancetta, country ham and duck pastrami. On the seasonal menu they also include lobster, along with inventive but perfectly paired condiments such as apple curry butter, violet mustard and riesling jelly.
1639 S Wabash Ave, Chicago, IL 60616, call 312-360-9500 or visit http://www.acadiachicago.com/
2. Le District
Le District is reminiscent of another NYC mainstay- Eataly, but French. Besides offering a marketplace of French foods, Le District has several different restaurants including Beaubourg, Le Bar, and L’Appart, that offer amazing charcuterie options. For an experience that is both classically French and undeniably New York, Le District is the place to go.
225 Brookfield Place (Battery Park City) call 212-981-8588 or visit https://www.ledistrict.com/
1. Lady Larder
Lady Larder is a hip service in L.A. that is passionate about the planet, food, service, customers and having a good time. How can you argue with those passions – especially the part about a good time? They are family owned, a brother an a sister and have cooked all over the west coast. They have an excellent selection of award-winning accoutrements all 100% cultivated in the United States.
3759 Sawtelle Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90066, call 310-313-4719 or visit https://ladyandlarder.com/
If you’re with a group or just another couple, add a Charcuterie Board, featuring items such as bacon-wrapped mortadella, pistachios and cranberries, and chicken liver mousse, and let the party begin. After all, what screams sophisticated yet bohemian more than a charcuterie board and wine?