Serving Plates - Find the Perfect Serving Plate
As the centerpiece to the meal, serving plates form a vital part of the presentation. There are almost as choices when picking a plate set as there are individual styles. There are many things to think about when making the decision to procure them. Consider the serving environment. If you generally entertain outdoors, then perhaps you will be looking for a plate that evokes a festive, informal atmosphere and matches the colors of the season (for example, spring or summer). Fruit and vegetables served during this time may look particularly nice on a simple background. However, outdoor settings may also lend themselves toward plastic or wooden dishes rather than ceramic.
Indoor and more formal meals may require a step up in terms of both cost and elegance for your serving plates. Think about your average party size as well when making the purchase. Sets are available with as little as four, or you may buy individual plates as well. Generally it is more cost effective to buy in bulk, and make sure you buy from a company that has been around for a while to make sure you can replace a broken item if the need arises. Your best bet although an expensive one is probably to go to one of the finer retail stores that you know will be around five or ten years from now. Generally one gets what one pays for and the plates, while more expensive, are of higher quality from these outlets.
As for the ceramic dishes, floral patterns may be nice for casual encounters, but china is more accepted for formal dinner parties. You may find yourself going with the traditional all white plates, but don't be afraid to add a touch of color as well to accentuate the meal. You can do this with a garnish alongside whatever food you are serving. In this way, even though you have a white background, the plate serves as an empty canvas upon which beautiful colors may be painted.