Using Restaurant Flatware

Set elegant or casual tables with commercial flatware

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.

 

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.
Try: 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.
Try: 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.
Try: 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.

 

• 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.

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