The impression a guest walks away with from a restaurant has to do with far more than merely the taste of the food. Ideally, guests should have an experience that’s enjoyable to their other senses, as well. One of the most important aspects of the dining experience beyond taste is sight. Achieving the most visually appealing meals means selecting the right dinnerware to complement both the food and decor!
Trends in plating and presentation are always evolving. Observing these in practice provides real perspective into how chefs and restaurants maximize dinnerware to create lasting impressions.
Sam Tell has the pleasure of working with some of the most popular restaurants in the country, particularly in one of the most renowned food capitals of the world—New York City and its surrounding areas. These establishments, run by some of the very top culinary minds, continue to set the bar regarding dinnerware and table setting, and how both can significantly enhance the overall dining experience.
Below are some beautiful examples of popular plating concepts, pulled right from Instagram!
#1 – Dinnerware should help food stand out.
It’s no secret that every restaurant wants to stand out. In a similar way, many chefs take steps to ensure their food stands out from what’s around it. The restaurants above achieve this by utilizing dinnerware varieties that create contrast and emphasis, with different approaches. The Loyal, for instance, enlists a classic white dish as a backdrop to the rich, dark color of its miso honey chicken. Red Rooster, on the other hand, has chosen a blue dish to bring out the colorful combinations of its hanger steak dish. Drawing such distinction does not need to only be about the food, though, as Little Park shows, by selecting dishes that stand out against its tables.
#2 – Dinnerware doesn’t have to be a circle or a square.
View this post on InstagramA post shared by Locanda Verde (@locandaverde) on
Just as the colors associated with a dish can bring out its features, so too can the dinnerware's shape. Those selected for specific dishes by the restaurants above prove that even small changes deviating from typical circular or rectangular options dominating the scene can significantly impact the final presentation. The simple choice of selecting a bowl with a rounded bottom and square rim, such as at Saar, or an irregular outline, as at Locanda Verde, adds a degree of interest to the presentation without distracting from the food. Oniro Taverna, on the other hand, accentuates the contours of its seafood with fish-shaped plating.
#3 – Consider alternatives to the traditional dinnerware materials.
In addition to branching out beyond standard dimensions, chefs shouldn’t feel restricted to porcelain, glass, or even what is typically considered dinnerware at all! The above restaurants, for example, have forgone typical plating entirely for select dishes in favor of other materials that better highlight the tastes chefs want guest to experience. Bedford & Co has selected to serve its spicy shishito peppers in a cast-iron skillet to emphasize its heat, while Quality Meats has chosen wood to convey a more smoked connotation.
Whichever dinnerware your restaurant decides to experiment with to enhance the overall experience for your guests, it’s crucial to work with the best retailer to find exactly what you’re looking for.
Sam Tell has thousands of products from the top brands in the industry. Contact Us or Explore Our Catalog to find the perfect restaurant dinnerware, and more.
