The Threshold Porcelain 16pc Dinnerware Set felt clunky and had some pitting and nicks in the glaze. Wirecutter is the product recommendation service from The New York Times. Note: The 5-piece place setting doesnt include bowls, but both soup and cereal bowls are sold open stock. Good dinnerware should be a neutral canvas for any meal: As chef Candy Argondizza noted, A simple white plate allows the food to make a statement so that the diners eye is drawn to the food with no distractions. Decorated sets can be exciting, but theyre also more likely to become dated with time, so we avoided those with any designs. The American Ceramic Society provided me with resources about ceramic production and terminology. Smith, July 8, 2015, William M. Carty, PhD, emeritus professor of ceramic engineering and materials science at the Inamori School of Engineering at Alfred University, phone interview, January 17, 2019, Jono Pandolfi, potter and owner of Jono Pandolfi Designs in New Jersey, phone and in-person interviews, January 16, 2019, Marion Hover, former tabletop decorative gifts buyer at Macys, email interview, November 4, 2015, Candy Argondizza, chef and vice president of culinary and pastry arts at International Culinary Center, email interview, March 1, 2016, Eddie Ross, author of Modern Mix: Curating Personal Style with Chic & Accessible Finds, phone interview, March 14, 2016. Up to 24 Months Special Financing on qualifying purchases. Our journalists combine independent research with (occasionally) over-the-top testing to save people time, energy and money when making buying decisions. Ribbed and glazed creamy white, the Farmhouse dinner plate has the casual appeal of hand-thrown pottery. Since this dinnerware is so thin, it takes up surprisingly little space when stacked, which is great if youre short on cupboard space. Some testers also thought the color of the Brasserie dinnerware looked muted and gray next to the bright creamy color of bone china. According to our experts, food always looks best on an all-white plate because the design is free of distractions. Once youve chosen your favorite 16 piece dinnerware set, learn how to set a table. Thanks to the heft of the pieces, you wont feel like you need to be gentle with them (though theyre not necessarily more durable than lighter bone chinasee our section on durability in our dinnerware buying guide for more information). Im the person who flips plates over at restaurants to see the maker, much to the dismay of my family and friends. For our next update, wed like to expand this guide to include stoneware. Ideally, we wanted sets that allow you to choose shallow soup bowls or deep cereal bowls, simple coffee mugs or dainty teacups and saucers, and a variety of dinner and salad plate sizes. It feels a little shallow for eating soup, but we dont think this is a dealbreaker. But dont mistake its refinement for fragilityits still durable enough for everyday use. Dinnerware can be made from a variety of materials, but weve limited our selection to all-white porcelain or bone china due to its aesthetic appeal, resilience, and practicality. Alternatively, add interest with white porcelain dinnerware sets that have distinctive featuresfrom wide and color-accented rims to those finished with an embossed texture. This thicker, heftier porcelain dinnerware has classic bistro styling. When you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Earn Reward Dollars every time you shop* (excluding special financing purchases), plus get access to special offers and events. IKEAs 365+ Dinnerware did well in our tests and is very inexpensive, but it doesnt offer as many pieces as the affordable Crate and Barrel Aspen set. However, if youre a fan of the flat-bottomed bowls, theyre included in the 4- and 5-piece place settings. Always retrieve plates from the top of a stack rather than sliding them out from the middle, to avoid unnecessary pressure that could scratch or break them. Finally, we tried to find dinnerware sets that have been around for a while, which increases the likelihood theyll remain in stock down the road. But in our tests we were impressed with the overall quality of this set, which had almost no visible pitting and an even glaze. Crafted by skilled artisans in Portugal, the plate is part of our soon-to-be-a-classic Farmhouse collection distinguished by its vivid, interchangeable colors, bold rims and sturdy feel. The Nevaeh White by Fitz and Floyd Rim Dinnerware Collection was our previous top pick. Were confident that its classic design will elevate any table setting and never go out of style. Since the shade of whiteware varies dramatically from set to set, we also compared the hue and brightness of each; in general, dinnerware that had a blue or gray hue was less appealing to our testers than pieces that were creamy or bright white. Initially we didnt include the Corelle Winter Frost 18-Piece Dinnerware Set in this review because its made of Vitrelle (a proprietary type of durable glass laminate), a material that falls outside the parameters we set for this guide. The AmazonBasics 16-Piece Dinnerware Set had inconsistencies in the glaze, and the plates were badly scratched. It feels more refined than any of the other sets we recommend because all of the pieces are flawlessly shaped and glazed. One thing to keep in mind: Some of our testers found this set too informal for entertaining. To prevent our testers from being influenced by brand names, we covered the manufacturers marking on the bottom of each piece. Although we recommend the dinner plates from the Pottery Barn Caterers set as an affordable backup for entertaining in our Thanksgiving guide, theyre typically available only in open-stock sets of 12. That said, we also tested a handful of newer sets in order to include some options with more modern styling, and we checked with the manufacturer to confirm that they would remain in production for the foreseeable future. Consider individual pieces to expand your collection. The Villeroy & Boch Artesano Dinnerware Collection is available open stock, but ultimately we thought it didnt look classic enough. That said, we dont think you should worry too much about your dishes being damaged in the dishwasher or microwave (unless the manufacturer explicitly advises against putting them in either appliance). However, the rimless plate is so big, some of our testers mistook it for a charger. Dinnerware Set arrived with several shattered bowls and plates, so were concerned about its durability. The Snowe 5-Piece Table Settings and 4-Piece Table Settings have mugs that are unglazed around the lip, which many of our testers disliked because they looked unfinished. The Williams Sonoma Open Kitchen Dinnerware Collection was our former budget pick, but in our new round of testing, we noticed that the quality had diminished. Whether youre looking for a full set of everyday dinnerware or choosing a few plates for a holiday gathering, whiteware is the best choice. There seems to be a problem serving the request at this time, One stop shop for all things from your favorite brand, White Plastic Dinner Plates Dinnerware Plates, Melamine Dinnerware Plates White Dinner Plates, White Bone China Dinner Plates Dinnerware Plates, Maxwell & Williams White Dinner Plates Dinnerware Plates, {"modules":["unloadOptimization","bandwidthDetection"],"unloadOptimization":{"browsers":{"Firefox":true,"Chrome":true}},"bandwidthDetection":{"url":"https://ir.ebaystatic.com/cr/v/c1/thirtysevens.jpg","maxViews":4,"imgSize":37,"expiry":300000,"timeout":250}}. He gave me a tour of his pottery studio in Union City, New Jersey, so that I could see how dinnerware is made firsthand. But at just over $4 per piece, it was among the least expensive dinnerware we considered, and we think its a great option depending on your needs. We ran a series of thermal-shock tests and had no problems, and the Fitz and Floyd customer service representative we spoke to was not aware of the issue. Earn Reward Dollars every time you shop* (excluding special financing purchases), plus get access to special offers and events. Try our View in Your Room feature, manage registries and save payment info. You can remove most stains with regular dish soap and hot water. Although the mug is trendy now, it may go out of style in years to come. *** Learn More. However, our testers found the cereal bowl was much too deep and awkward to eat from. Find out when your online purchase will arrive or schedule a delivery. We also searched for dinnerware collections that you can purchase open stock, which allows you to customize the set to suit your needs and to replace the dish or two that will inevitably break. Well continue to monitor the availability of our picks, but weve confirmed with each manufacturer that if stock is low or unavailable, its only temporary. (Full disclosure: Carty has worked as an unpaid consultant for Buffalo China, Syracuse China, Hall China, Sterling China, Lenox China, Pfaltzgraff, and Homer-Laughlin.) I also talked to experts about what they looked for in a basic dinnerware collection. *At the time of publishing, the price was $80. Get this if: You like to host dinner parties and want wide-rimmed dinnerware thats made from fine bone china, but that can still withstand the rigors of daily use. However, if pieces become unavailable in the future, companies such as Replacements, Ltd. specialize in selling discontinued dinnerware. The porcelain has a slightly gray hue compared with the creamy white of bone china. The soup bowls are shallow but still plenty big for a decent serving of pasta. Those experts included Eddie Ross, the co-founder and chief content creator of Maximalist Studios and the former design, decorating, and food editor for Better Homes & Gardens, Food Network, Martha Stewart Living, and House Beautiful; Marion Hover, former tabletop decorative gifts buyer for Macys; and chef Candy Argondizza, vice president of culinary and pastry arts at the International Culinary Center at the time of our interview. Up to 24 Months Special Financing on qualifying purchases. This set has a bright creamy hue and a simple yet sophisticated design. Download on the App Store (opens in new window), Up to 30% off In Stock Kitchen & Entertaining, Up to 30% off Outdoor Entertaining & Grilling, Up to 30% off In-Stock Kitchen & Entertaining, Up to $150 off Select Wolf Gourmet Electrics, Dishwasher-, freezer-, microwave- and oven-safe to 350F, Flatware may leave more visible marks on matte dinnerware, removable with Bar Keepers Friend or other gentle powdered cleaner. Try our View in Your Room feature, manage registries and save payment info. If you dont love the items in the five-piece place setting (which includes dinner, salad, and bread-and-butter plates, plus a teacup and saucer), Wedgwood also sells a four-piece place setting that includes a dinner plate, salad plate, cereal bowl, and mug (these pieces are also sold in a 16-piece set). The handle on the teacup was a bit small. I also spoke at length with Jono Pandolfi, potter and owner of Jono Pandolfi Designs in New Jersey, who has created dinnerware for a long list of notable restaurants around the world (he also used to design dinnerware for Crate and Barrel). That said, this set was popular among the coupe-shaped bone china we tested. You can also buy mugs and cereal bowls in open-stock sets of four outside of the main place settings. Get this if: Youre partial to thicker, heavier dinnerware. This set has been around for decadesone reviewer on the Williams Sonoma website says theyve used their set for 27 yearsso replacing pieces or growing your set shouldnt be a problem. Our picks range in weight, design, and price, so you can find the best set for your style and budget. We also appreciated the slight dimple around the perimeter of the dinner plates, which helps keep sauces from running aimlessly to the edge of the rim. Our Paige dinnerware collection simplifies meals with clean, minimal shapes in matte-glazed stoneware. TheMacy's Whiteware Coupe Collection had significant pitting and an inconsistent, drippy glaze. Copyright 1995-2022 eBay Inc. All Rights Reserved. Get this if: You want an inexpensive but stylish set of porcelain dinnerware with a classic design that boasts excellent quality for the price. The White collection also includes bowls and several serving pieces that are sold separately. We independently review everything we recommend. After our test panel helped narrow down the list, we took a plate from each of our top-rated sets and scratched it with a fork and knife 50 times to see if the utensils damaged the glaze or left metal marks. And although the teacup and saucer are thicker and a bit larger than some we tested, theyre still more tasteful and refined than most heavy dinnerware. Also, avoid subjecting your dinnerware to extreme temperature changes, such as pouring boiling water into a cold teacup, as this can cause breakage due to thermal shock. Nevertheless, this longtime American-made dinnerware may be just what youre looking for if you prefer heavier, thicker pieces that are available in a full spectrum of colors. Sign in to see items you may have added using another computer or device. Up to 24 Months Special Financing on qualifying purchases. The Crate and Barrel Aspen Dinnerware set was the best-quality set we tested for the price. We wish the soup bowl were a little deeper and had more of a rounded bottom, like those in the Brasserie and Wedgwood White sets. If for some reason metal marks develop after prolonged use, Noritake recommends using Bar Keepers Friend to remove them. Find out when your online purchase will arrive or schedule a delivery. One of our testers remarked that the Aspen was a really nice set with even glazing and decent heft.. Download on the App Store (opens in new window), Up to 30% off In Stock Kitchen & Entertaining, Up to 30% off Outdoor Entertaining & Grilling, Up to 30% off In-Stock Kitchen & Entertaining, Up to $150 off Select Wolf Gourmet Electrics. But since buying the five-piece place setting is significantly cheaper than getting each piece individually, you can buy bowls separately and still save money over buying all the same pieces individually. Download on the App Store (opens in new window), Up to 30% off In Stock Kitchen & Entertaining, Up to 30% off Outdoor Entertaining & Grilling, Up to 30% off In-Stock Kitchen & Entertaining, Up to $150 off Select Wolf Gourmet Electrics. Whether it's finding great products or discovering helpful advice, we'll help you get it right (the first time). Although the Aspen set is slightly bluer than our other picks, we dont think this is a problem unless you plan to use it next to creamier bone china serving pieces. After considering hundreds of dinnerware collections in stores and online, we settled on 30 place settings to test for our 2019 update (roughly 140 pieces of dinnerware in all), and invited 15 Wirecutter staff members to evaluate them in our New York City test kitchen. The Martha Stewart Collection Whiteware 12-Pc. The glaze was even, although we did see some minor pitting on the surface of the plates. The Villeroy & Boch Royal 30-Piece Bone Porcelain Set was our former upgrade pick, but its discontinued. We still think the plates, bowls, and other serving pieces are good quality, especially for the price. We prefer dinnerware thats sold fully open stock, so you can pick and choose what you need. We prioritized sets that were elegant enough for fine-china occasions like a dinner party but also sturdy and casual enough for everyday use. The Nevaeh White by Fitz and Floyd Coupe Dinnerware Collection looks similar to the Dansk Ingram set, but some of our testers thought the plates were too big. If you prefer heavier dinnerware, we recommend the Williams Sonoma Brasserie All-White Dinnerware collection. Since the set has stood the test of time, replacing any broken items or growing your collection in the years to come shouldnt be an issue. The Aspen dinnerware has been sold at Crate and Barrel for more than 20 years and has excellent owner reviews that attest to its quality and longevity. Just remember, even if the weight of one plate doesnt bother you, the weight of a whole stack might. Made of four 4-piece place settings, our dinnerware sets include dinner plates, salad plates, bowls and mugs. Why its great: The Williams Sonoma Brasserie All-White Dinnerware collection feels similar to durable restaurant dishes, but its still refined and not at all clunky like the plates youd use at a diner. *** Learn More. The Brasserie plates have wide, slightly angled rims that give them a classic bistro style. Hosting? Sign in to see items you may have added using another computer or device. Although this set is thicker than the Crate and Barrel Aspen dinnerware set, it still feels refined.