Using restaurant flatware according to proper etiquette guidelines may be the last thing from your mind when purchasing the flatware. The caliber of restaurant you run will determine the formality of the place settings. An elegant restaurant will obviously set its tables more formally than a Mom-and-Pop diner. Elegant restaurants will also need to have a larger variety of restaurant flatware than a diner.

A formal restaurant will likely set its table with high-quality, restaurant-grade flatware. A formal place setting generally includes two spoons, three knives and four forks, with each designated for a specific course. A casual restaurant will need to purchase fewer pieces of flatware, typically two forks, two spoons and one knife per place setting. Casual restaurants will also be able to purchase lower quality commercial-grade flatware. As you purchase commercial silverware, consider the following:

1. Choose restaurant silverware for setting a formal place setting.

2. Set a place setting with casual commercial flatware.

3. Find a restaurant flatware provider for steak knives.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Learn how to place restaurant silverware and choose the best flatware for your restaurant

When purchasing silverware for restaurants that are elegant and formal, you will want to include the following pieces: dinner fork, fish fork, salad fork, cake fork, soup spoon, dessert spoon, service knife, butter knife and a fish knife. Depending on your menu, you may want to purchase steak knives. Having all the right pieces is not enough, you must also know how to set a proper table as well.

I recommend: Formal table setting diagrams and a written tutorial are available at OnlineSterling.com. This site not only shows proper silverware placement, but diagrams how to organize an entire place setting. The WEBstaurant Store is and excellent resource for purchasing flatware for restaurants. It has a guide that explains the use of each flatware piece as well as information which helps you to choose the best quality silverware for your restaurant.

Set a casual table with commercial flatware

Setting the table at a casual restaurant requires significantly less pieces of flatware. The type of food your restaurant serves will greatly determine the pieces of flatware you should buy. Beyond a standard fork, knife and spoon, some other pieces of flatware to consider are a tea spoon, dessert spoon/fork, soup spoon and steak knives. Setting the table for a casual meal is much simpler than that of a formal place setting.

I recommend: A guide for a simple place setting is available at Essortment. This site describes how to set the table for a simple family meal, which you can use for casual restaurant place settings. A good place to buy commercial flatware is Maine Supply. It offers a wide variety of flatware available to suit the need of any restaurant.

Include steak knives when you buy commercial flatware and serve your clients

Steak knives are a must for any restaurant that serves pork, beef or chicken. In general the waitress should bring the steak knives with the meal; however, you may place the steak knife on the table as part of the place setting for a casual restaurant.

I recommend: Beyond Your Backyard provides guidelines on table settings and includes information on the proper place and time for giving a steak knife to your clients. Find several different styles of steak knives at Food Equipment. It has a knife that is suitable for any type of restaurant.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Choose a steak knife that complements your restaurant flatware. Elegant restaurants should choose a high-quality steak knife that has a wooden or sterling handle. Casual restaurants can choose from plastic or wood handles.

When it comes to choosing silverware for restaurants, don't skimp -- look for commercial grade flatware, even though you know you may be replacing your flatware often.

Giving your customers a sturdy knife and fork will make all the difference when they dig into a juicy steak. And when you invest in commercial silverware, you make a statement about your restaurant and the total dining experience you want to offer your guests.

Finally, you know that you get what you pay for. Making an investment in high-quality commercial silverware that will last will pay off, although the initial expense may be painful.

When looking into silverware for restaurants, consider a few important points:

1. Decide whether you want stainless steel or silverplated flatware for restaurants.
2. Choose a restaurant flatware pattern that you can re-order when necessary.
3. Order more than you think you need and put it somewhere safe, just in case you run out of clean silverware on busy nights.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Look at silverware for restaurants that will match everything

Choose restaurant silverware that complements your decor and the rest of your restaurant china. By selecting a classic style of restaurant cutlery that feels substantial in the hands of your guests, you will make a good impression.

I recommend: Maine Supply offers the heavy-duty Stanford 18/10 stainless steel flatware from Winco, designed for hotels and the best restaurants. With this company, you must place a minimum order. You can't go wrong with the Silver Shell Oneida silverplated silverware for restaurants from the Restaurant Source, which also offers financing for customers.

Save big on value-priced restaurant grade flatware

Maybe it's not in the cards right now for you to set your tables with the very best silverplated flatware. You can still find great deals on the Internet that will help to maximize your bottom-line.

I recommend: Take a look at KNG's choice of restaurant quality flatware in a pebble design. If you have a small, elegant establishment, consider purchasing vintage hotel flatware from P.O.S.H. Chicago.

Don't forget the steak knives

If there's anything on your menu that requires cutting, you'll have to order some steak knives for your guests when you're placing an order for kitchen grade flatware. Choose from wood or plastic handles for steak knives, as well as a variety of sizes and prices.

I recommend: Order top-quality steak knives from New York First. Or check out the micro-serrated steak knives from Able Kitchen, one of the restaurant flatware providers on the Internet.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  If you order silverware for restaurants online, make sure you look into the return policy for the restaurant flatware providers. Some companies may have a restocking fee for returned purchases.

The pricing and costs of restaurant flatware is a critical piece of information to include in your restaurants budget. Whether you are starting up new or are replacing worn out flatware, this is an expense that you cannot ignore. Because there are differing grades of restaurant silverware, there is room in your budget for flexibility. The price you pay for flatware will generally be a direct reflection of the quality you receive.

The most popular type of commercial flatware is stainless steel. While stainless steel is corrosion free and very durable, there are varying grades of quality. Manufacturers note the alloy mixture used for silverware by a fraction. The higher the amount of nickel in the mixture, the better quality the flatware will be. Common mixtures of chromium and nickel are 18/10, 18/8 and 18/0. 18/10 and 18/8 result in higher-quality flatware, while 18/0 is still durable, but not quite as nice. In your search for pricing and costs of restaurant flatware, consider the following:

1. Locate high-quality 18/10 or 18/8 stainless steel restaurant flatware.

2. Find providers of budget-friendly 18/0 stainless steel commercial silverware.

3. Purchase steak knives from restaurant flatware providers.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Find providers of high-quality commercial silverware

High-end stainless steel flatware is more expensive than lower grades of stainless steel, but the quality is better. Higher quality stainless steel flatware retains its luster even under the wear and tear of a commercial kitchen. Flatware for restaurants comes in bundles of 12. Each piece of flatware comes separately so you can order specific numbers of each piece. 18/10, 18/8 and silver-plated flatware prices begin around $30. Upper-end flatware can cost as much as $60 per package of 12 pieces.

I recommend: Able Kitchen carries a large inventory of commercial-grade flatware. It has a nice selection of 18/10 stainless steel flatware with several patterns to choose from, and it offers free shipping for orders that exceed a qualifying dollar amount. Restaurant Source carries a line of silver-plated stainless steel flatware. It bundles its flatware in packages of 36.

Locate 18/0 stainless steel restaurant-grade flatware providers

When you are working with a limited budget or are supplying a café or buffet-type restaurant, high-end flatware is not a necessity. 18/0 stainless steel flatware is aesthetically pleasing and durable. The difference between this and higher-quality stainless steel is that it does not retain its luster as long, which means you need to replace it sooner. You can purchase this type of flatware for as little as $2 per pack with the high end being just over $10 per pack.

I recommend: Instawares is a commercial flatware provider that carries a nice selection of 18/0 stainless steel flatware. Its prices are in the middle of the spectrum for this grade of flatware. Another provider of 18/0 stainless steel flatware is KNG. It sells commercial flatware at very reasonable prices and offers a 90-day free trial period for all of its flatware.

Purchase steak knifes from restaurant flatware providers

A restaurant that serves any type of meat will need to provide steak knives for its diners. A steak knife with a sturdy handle will last for many years. You can find steak knives from most any supplier that carries silverware for restaurants. The price of a bundle of steak knives can range anywhere from $10 to over a $100.

I recommend: FoodServiceWarehouse.com has an inventory of steak knives to fit any budget. It carries knives with stainless, wood and plastic handles. Galasource offers competitive prices for its steak knives. Its price per knife can be as little as 30 cents.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Ask a company to send you a sample of the commercial silverware if you are unsure of the pattern. If you cannot have a sample sent, be sure you understand the companies return policy. Some companies charge a restocking fee for returned orders.