Dinnerware
Dinnerware is a collective term for plates, bowls, cups and saucers. Each of these dinnerware types is further discussed on the following pages:
cups
The cup is made in a variety of different sizes, each with a different volume capacity:
bowls
Three main categories...
- Soup Bowls (with or without handles)
- Finger Bowls (to rinse finger tips)
- Ramekins (to hold solid foods)
...with seven types of soups bowls:
- Soup Plate;
- Coupe Soup Bowl;
- Soup-Cereal Bowl;
- Covered Soup Bowl;
- Lug Soup Bowl;
- Cream Soup Bowl; and
- Bouillon Cup.
plates
Plates for formal and informal table settings.
- Service Plate
- Dinner Plate
- Luncheon Plate
- Salad Plate
- Fish Plate
- Dessert Plate
- Cheese Plate
- Tea Plate
- Fruit Plate
- Bread-and-Butter Plate
- Fruit Saucer
Dinnerware Buying Guide
Dinnerware Buying Guide: Choosing the Right Dinnerware Pattern, Choosing the Shape of the Plates, Coordinating the Textures of Dinnerware, Stemware, and Flatware, Judging Quality, How Many Place Settings to Buy, Dinnerware Starter Sets, & Serveware.
Care of Dinnerware
Informal Table Setting
Table Etiquette - The informal setting is the most common. Use the outside-in rule to determine which flatware to use first.
Resting Utensils Etiquette
How to rest your knife and fork during a meal. You may place your knife and fork on your plate using either the Continental or American style.
Wine Tasting Etiquette
Once it is poured into the proper glass, it’s time to evaluate and enjoy the wine. Evaluating wine involves four basic steps – looking, swirling, smelling, and tasting.
- Step #1 – Look. Holding the wine glass up against a white background, such as a napkin or table cloth, to evaluate its color and clarity. Red wines should range in color from deep purple to brick red. White wines should range in color from lemon gold to golden amber.
- Step #2 – Swirl. Swirl the wine in your glass to aerate it.
- Step #3 – Smell. Put your nose in the glass and take a deep breath. Older wines should have subtler aromas than younger ones.
- Step #4 – Taste. To taste the wine, fill your mouth about ½ full and subtly swish the wine around.
Table Setting Etiquette
Helpful hints for setting the perfect table!
Visit our table setting section for information on:
- Formal table settings.
- Informal table settings.