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Formal Dinnerware

I dislike dining at high-end restaurants. In case you are wondering, by "high-end" I mean any restaurant where I am required to use more than one fork and one spoon. Nevermind the knife. My husband, on the other hand, loves fancy dinnerware and the elaborate details it entails. He often tells me that I deserve to be treated like a princess, but how am I supposed to enjoy a formal meal when I have no idea which fork and knife to use for my well-done steak?

I know, my husband can always teach me or at least give me a signal, but it does make me feel a bit embarrassed. High-end restaurants are usually quiet and everyone seems to whisper to each other. I hate to have anyone think I am clueless about formal dinner etiquette. With the holiday seasons looming, not to mention my birthday, I know a formal dinner date is inevitable.

For a formal affair, utensils are classically arranged in order of use. That means that the forks, bread plate, bread knife, and napkin are placed on the left. Knives, spoons, glasses, cups and saucers are placed on the right. Utensils are placed one inch from the table edge, with each one lining up at the base with the one next to it. The rule of use is to work from the outer utensils toward the plate. The utensil positions depend on the number of courses. Remember, the sharp edge of the knife must face towards the plate, and the glasses are placed about an inch from the knives. Glasses are also arranged in order of use; white wine, red wine, dessert wine, and water goblet.

Luxurious dinners are served from the kitchen. There is a roll, a napkin, and knives to the right of the plate or bowl, and forks to the left. Coffee is served in a small cup, and the coffee spoon is placed on the saucer, on the right of the cup handle. The dessert spoon on the right and the dessert fork on the left, are placed on the dessert plates when they are served. Note, utensils for formal dinners have to be sterling silver.

Bear in mind, table settings may be different depending on the country you are dining in. Certain countries practice arranging the dinnerware from left to right. Some countries have different ways of using utensils. Informal settings are less complicated than formal settings, and in certain informal settings, napkin rings are used to hold the napkins and utensils together. Tired yet? Confused? Chin up, after all, we have not even touched on table etiquette yet!

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If you are interested in the etiquette of formal dinnerware, be sure you find a dinnerware expert.

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