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Having a sit-down dinner doesn’t have to be complicated. We think it’s all about keeping it simple…. otherwise, the idea of setting a perfect table and trying to figure out what you’ll talk about all night may be enough to make you call in the take out.
Here are a few easy tips to keep the night lively, the table setting easy and elegant, and how to pull it off without a hitch. And if you still want to get take out, make sure you order well ahead of time so you can put it in some nice dishes to make it look like you slaved all day over the stove!
We suggest setting the table the night before. That way it’s all done and all you have to work on is the meal. A table setting is EXTRA easy if you use plain white dishes. I love having colorful dishes, but about 10 years ago, I ditched my colorful set and bought clean, white, simple dishes. They look great displayed in the cabinet, make the food look tastier, and add an easy elegance to a table setting. I don’t like spending a lot of money on dinnerware and I searched for something that would not break the bank yet would also hold up to everyday wear. My favorite line is from Crate & Barrel. They have a line of dishes called their Essential Dinnerware. It has simple, clean lines and its held up to just about everything I’ve thrown at it. I have a few pieces that have chipped over the years, but the line is still around 10 years later so it’s easy to just buy another plate if the need arises. The best part is that even though the line is porcelain, they are very inexpensive. A set can be purchased at a discount for $36.95 for 8 dinner plates, $29.95 for 8 salad plates, and $29.95 for 8 bowls. That’s under $100 for a whole set of 8!
Here is a link to the Crate & Barrel Essential Dinnerware Line: www.crateandba...
Now for the fun part; setting the table! Here are some easy steps for a BASIC TABLE SETTING:
If you are using a placemat, set the dinner plate in the center
Take a napkin (we suggest going to the dollar store and getting REAL white linen napkins). Fold them into a rectangle and place it to the left of the dinner plate.
Place the fork in the middle of the napkin.
Place the knife to the right of the dinner plate, blade facing in towards the plate.
Place the spoon to the right of the knife.
Align all the silverware so that the bottoms line up with the bottom of the plate.
Imagine the dinner plate is the face of a clock. Place the dinner glass at the one o’clock position of the dinner plate. Make sure the entire glass is on the place mat. You may need to position the plate and silverware lower towards the bottom edge of the place mat so they all fit.
OPTIONAL: If you are serving wine, or would like to serve a spritzer in a wine glass, place it to the outside right of the dinner glass.
Place a sprig of thyme or rosemary in the center of the plate at a slight angle. If you are setting the table the night before. Wait to place the herbs until an hour or so before dinnertime.
Voila! A basic table setting all ready to go!