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I’m not going to argue that the manner in which a dish is plated and served actually affects the way it tastes (though I know some will). That said, I’m of the belief that presentation does affect the experience of eating a meal. A simple roast chicken becomes that much more impressive when it’s carved neatly and arranged on a pretty scallop-edged platter, just as a plate of spaghetti pomodoro somehow becomes restaurant-worthy when the plate in question is a piece of hand-painted stoneware.
Whether you’re looking to elevate your Sunday family suppers or deck out this year's holiday tablescape with a conversation-starting piece, these platters may just convince you to ditch your basic white serveware for something with a bit more personality. Read on for a list of plates that’ll set the tone for your whole meal, no matter what kind of vibe you’re curating.
Sleek and simple
If your style leans minimalist and modern, these monochrome options will make an elegant addition to your serveware collection. Add a pop of color to the dinner table with a glossy glazed number, keep things neutral with a black marble tray, or go classic and Michelin-worthy with a Jono Pandolfi platter featuring the renowned ceramist’s signature exposed clay rim.
Hand-painted gems
For something more intricate, look to a hand-painted stoneware platter. Transport your dinner guests to Italy with a piece from the iconic Ginori 1735, or opt for something more graphic like a checkered platter from Maison Flâneur.
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Darling decorative edges
A decorative edge is an elegant way to zhuzh up an otherwise plain platter, and it has the benefit of being visible even when that platter is full of food. Pretty ruffles, bead-like dots, or orderly scallops? Take your pick.
Abstract and free-form
These platters will appeal to anyone who favors asymmetry and organic forms, and they’d be equally at home as part of a coffee table grazing spread as on a formal dinner party table. Use the contours of the Wavy Tapas Platter to accommodate crackers, cheese, and clusters of olives, or go for the Nuno Splatter Stoneware Serve Platter if you want a classic shape with an expressive paint job.
For holiday hosting
Any of the platters on this list would be a welcome addition to this year's holiday table, but here are some picks that feel particularly fitting as vessels for bronzed turkeys, glossy hams, stacks of flaky biscuits, and mountains of crispy maple-glazed brussels sprouts or carrots.
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Outdoor-ready
I wouldn’t recommend using most of the above for any outdoor entertaining—it’s not worth the risk of turning your gorgeous new hand-painted stoneware into a pile of shards. Instead, opt for a lightweight shatterproof material like enamelware, melamine, or wood to serve this summer’s helpings of grilled kebabs and sliced watermelon. I’m particularly fond of the glossy serveware from UK-based brand Falcon Enamelware, and I was delighted to find out that contrary to what I’d always been told about enamelware, Falcon’s products are all dishwasher-safe.
