Long before refrigeration, curing meat and cheese — along with pickling vegetables — was the best way to preserve products. Luckily for us, the process also creates more flavor. Check the best selection of charcuterie and cheese plates at these seven restaurants.

By Jacob Threadgill with provided and Gazette / file photos

Stella Modern Italian Cuisine
1201 N. Walker Ave.
stella-okc.com | 405-235-2200

The charcuterie at this Midtown favorite is available for lunch or dinner and generally includes housemade pâté, prosciutto di Parma, salami, mortadella, grain mustard, fruit chutney, house pickled vegetables and toast points for $16. You can add artisan cheeses for an additional $3-$6.

Ludivine
320 NW 10th St.
ludivineokc.com | 405-778-6800

The charcuterie selection at Ludivine — like the rest of the menu — is the most adventurous selection in the city. Pick three items for $18, and add $4 for an extra item from the following: country pâté, rabbit liver mousse, rabbit rillette, Berkshire lardo, house-cured salmon. Bresaola (aged, salted beef), cheese and foie gras mousse are an additional $2.

En Croûte
6460 Avondale Drive, Nichols Hills
encrouteokc.com | 405-607-6100

Cheesemonger is a cool job title, and managing partner and cheesemonger Crosby Dyke trains the staff at En Croûte, which offers the best selection of cheese in the city and focuses on small production, artisanal, seasonal and housemade offerings. Get the cheesemonger’s choice (market price), the board of the day ($19) or the all-encompassing Le Loup plate ($35). Cheese boards are half-price on Mondays.

Sidecar Barley & Wine Bar
1100 N. Broadway Ave.
sidecarbarleyandwine.com | 405-421-0203

Shared plates and small bites are the theme at this trendy cocktail-focused bar, and the butcher board ($16) is the star of them all. A rotating selection of cured meats and specialty cheeses are paired with roasted tomatoes, artichoke hearts, fresh olive tapenade, fig preserves and warm pita.

Bar Cicchetti
121 NE Second St.
barcicchettiok.com | 405-795-5295

The new addition to Deep Deuce has a lot of selections of charcuterie and cheese boards, but it also has vegan options with a crudité plate ($14) that includes hummus, avocado puree, romesco, smoked beer, cauliflower, radish and naan. The chef’s selection of meat on the charcuterie is paired with sofrito and olive oil crackers ($20) while the cheese platter ($14) comes with marcona almonds, honeycomb and crackers.

The Jones Assembly
901 W. Sheridan Ave.
thejonesassembly.com | 405-212-2378

The Jones allows Oklahoma’s own Lovera cheese to shine by selecting offerings like smoked caciocavera, bella Bianca, tomina vecchia, Clarita and fried fresh cheese curd with accoutrements like pickles, fruit and jam and house-baked flatbread.

La Baguette Bistro
7408 N. May Ave.
labaguettebistro.com | 405-840-3047

This longtime French favorite has the widest selection of shared plates that range from meat-based charcuterie ($19) with salami, Rosette de Lyon, Serrano ham, country pâté and mortadella to a meat and cheese platter ($21) with bresaola and French cheese, but it also offers a huge seafood platter ($38) with crab, steamed shrimp, honey-smoked salmon and plenty of sauces and peppers.

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