When it comes to food business, there are a few mistakes you should avoid in order to attain success. With so much to consider while running a restaurant, don't forget the importance of setting a beautiful table for your guests.
ACityDiscount understands how busy you are and we've taken the hassle out of figuring it all out. Follow our easy How-To guidelines and you'll have the basics for dressing a table for any type of restaurant establishment.
Basic Table Setting
Serving breakfast in a small café or lunch in an energetic pizza bar? A simple setting is all you need in high traffic environments with lots of transient guests. The basic style of table setting is the most versatile and useful for various occasions.
The basic table setting includes the following tabletop items: 1 plate, 1 fork, 1 knife, 1 spoon, 1 glass, and a napkin/ handkerchief.
- Fork placed to the left of the plate with napkin underneath
- The knife and spoon to the right with blade of knife facing plate
- Glass in the upper right corner of plate (above knife)
Casual Table Setting
For a casual table setting, think informal lunch or dinner. Gatherings such as a brunch or a family dinner are well suited for the casual table setting. A casual table setting maintains the informal feel, yet goes a step above your basic table setting.
You will need 1 dinner plate, 1 salad or bread & butter plate, 1 water glass, 1 dinner fork, 1 salad fork, 1 dinner knife, 1 butter knife, 1 coffee cup, and 1 saucer.
- The dinner and salad fork will go to the left of the dinner plate, with the salad fork placed on the outside
- The dinner knife and spoon will go to the right of the plate, with the spoon on the outside
- The bread (or salad) plate will go above the forks with the butter knife laid across the bread plate
- The coffee cup and saucer will go above the spoon
- Place the napkin on top of the dinner plate
Upscale Table Setting for Formal & Fine Dining
Does your restaurant offer a posh décor and atmosphere? Do your operations cater closely to the customer dining experience? Upscale table settings are appropriate for high end clientele and special events like business luncheons, conference dinners, and romantic settings.
Many fine dining establishments set high expectations with décor, ambiance, and of course, tablescapes. To achieve the fine dining table setting you're customers expect, you will need tablescape along the lines of: 1 dinner plate, 1 soup butter plate, 1 dinner fork, 1 salad fork, 1 dinner spoon, 1 soup bowl (optional), and 1 soup spoon (optional), 1 knife, 1 teacup, 1 saucer, 1 wine glass, 1 water glass, 1 dinner plate, 1 salad plate, and 2 - 4 glasses (additional glasses optional).
- The dinner and salad fork are placed to the left of the plate
- The knife with blade facing the plate and optional spoon are set to the right of the plate
- Butter plate above the forks with butter knife laid across
- Napkin placed over dinner plate with optional soup bowl on top of napkin
- To the top right of the place setting, 2 - 4 glasses used for water, red wine, white wine and other non-alcoholic drink (note: you may not use all of these glasses)
Go Create a Great First Impression
Now that you know the basics of setting your restaurant tables, you have a good chance of creating that desired, great first impression! With such an appealing outward presentation, your customers will be excited to dive on in to find out what's on the menu! Now let's explore how to create a memorable impression with food photography.