The Art of the Table: A Complete Guide to Table Setting, Table Manners, and Tableware

by Suzanne Von Drachenfels

Book Overview

Coming together to share a meal is one of our most vital traditions. Whether dining with friends, family, or business associates, we know that an elegant setting and gracious manners bring a sense of harmony and order to the occasion. Yet when it comes to knowing precisely how to set a table for formal and informal dining, which fork is for dessert and which for the appetizer, how to serve different types of wine -- even how to eat certain foods --...

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0684847329
• ISBN13: 9780684847320
• Release Date: November 2000
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster
• Length: 592 Pages
• Weight: 2.59 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.3" x 7.7" x 9.5"

Customer Reviews

Great reference for real world etiquette

I bought this for my Boy Scout Troop along with another etiquette book. They acted like disgusting pigs when we stopped at a restaurant. Not ill behaved but burping and the like. This next year we are working on real world skills and one is etiquette in every situation. I know this will help immensely. We’ve already started on the place setting for a 10 course meal.

Mayra Calvani -- Curled Up With A Good Book

Do you love to entertain at home yet aren't sure of all the rules of etiquette? What is the correct place to put the butter knife? Is it necessary to put a different fork when serving fish? Should bread be buttered entirely or bite by bite? What is the difference between the various types of wine glasses? Whether you're a beginner or an experienced host, you'll find The Art of the Table a complete, invaluable guide filled with all there is to know about table setting, table manners, and tableware. In spite of its length, the book is easy to follow and written in reader-friendly language. It is filled with interesting facts, as well as fascinating quotes and proverbs from famous people throughout the ages. In the middle of the book the author includes beautiful color photographs of various styles of table settings--formal, informal, eclectic, European, American, Spanish colonial, rustic, contemporary, etc.. All though the book, however, there are detailed drawings used for demonstration, offering the reader a clear idea of the author's how-to explanations. The book is divided into nine parts, each encompassing several topics: One: Dining Fundamentals Two: Dinnerware Three: Flatware Four: Stemware Five: Table Linens Six: Serving Techniques Seven: Dining Finesse Eight: Menu Plan Nine: Table Manners The best thing about the book is not only that it demonstrates the "how-to" of table setting, but that it offers a lot of information about tableware. For instance, in Part Four, Stemware, the author gives a historical background of glass and crystal, the different decorative methods and styles, the different categories, their shape and purpose, how to place stemware, how to purchase stemware, and even how to care for it. The same is done in the other parts with Dinnerware, Flatware, Table Linens, etc.. Thus this book is, in every sense of the word, a complete reference book.

The ideal gift for brides and gracious hosts......

Gently and sensibly, this author explains the purpose of formal and informal dining and guides her readers towards a satisfying dining experience. If this book is not considered THE ultimate informative guidebook on the subject, it should be. The majority of Americans do not observe the strict protocol of formal dining but everyone will benefit from the information found here. A well laid table says "welcome" to both family members and guests. Setting a pleasant informal table, serving food graciously, and enjoying mealtimes are all covered here. Readers will learn how to choose and properly care for dinnerware, flatware, and glassware. Menu planning and table manners are also discussed in thorough and helpful ways. Whether you want to enhance a simple family meal, plan a buffet luncheon, or entertain royalty, von Drachenfels outlines each contingency step by step. Formal and informal dining in American and Continental style are thoroughly explained in easy-to-understand terms with simple pictures to accompany each topic. If you ever wondered what all the forks were for, or worried over proper placement of soiled napkins, you'll find those answers here. The Art of the Table is much more than helpful and informative. The author includes a fascinating history of eating utensils, serving ware, glassware, tea, wine, and coffee. And in the center of the book are full color pictures of both formal and informal table settings. In essence, this book is like the dining experience von Drachenfels extols -- a memorable experience. It would be the ideal gift for brides, and is a must have for anyone wishing to learn more about The Art of the Table.

Comprehensive info on table settings, usage & serving

As a long-time collector of place settings in porcelain, antique china, contemporary china, sterling, crystal and elegant glassware, I found this book to be comprehensive in scope -- defining each place setting piece and its usage, as well as including lots of information on service, care, manners, and protocol. It would have been further enhanced by some color photographs of a variety of well-set tables. The author also covers the history and many classifications of dinnerware and flatware and stemware and linens. However, one disappointment was that, in her chapters on the history and types of dinnerware, while she covers a variety of countries and sources -- including Chinese, Islamic, Italian, German, English, and American -- she astonishingly totally omits all mention of French porcelain (notably that from the city of Limoges). She never even mentions the Haviland companies or others in Limoges, considered by many to be among the finest makers of porcelain using some of the strongest, whitest clay in the world, and producing thousands of designs. Antique Haviland & Company dinnerware pieces are in great demand today and come in every imaginable design and shape and size and purpose. These pieces are a study in Victorian dining -- a style for each type of food in each of the thirteen courses of the formal Victorian dinner, and should surely have been mentioned in any overview of dinnerware pieces and their history. But to most readers this would be a minor point. The history coverage is not the main point or value of the book, in my mind. It is a well-researched coverage of lots of information relating to the table settings themselves, all in one place. I had learned much of this over the years as I collected and read about table setting pieces, especially dinnerware and sterling, but to have a single reference is an excellent contribution and would have made my information-gathering easier while I collected and learned. And, as someday these pieces will be passed on to my daughters, this book will be an invaluable accompaniment on table settings and entertaining using these collections -- it is my belief that they should be used and enjoyed, not packed away for some special day that never arrives, because it's too much trouble to get them out or for fear of damage. Setting a nice table is an art that makes for gracious entertaining as well as for daily family dinner settings that make each meal special -- whether with fine antique china and sterling or with simple attractive pottery and stainless. For someone interested in table settings and all the subtleties of dining, this is an excellent source of information.

All what you need to entertain like a Princess

I loved this book as it contains tons of useful information. You don't need to read it all, if you wish, but, it's worth having it for reference. The Art of the Table helped me in making my mind about the pieces of tableware I should buy considering my "entertaining" style and the courses I usually serve to my guests. She is not pretentious or snob and clearly advises you to buy the best quality of tableware you can afford and forget about buying silver, for example, if you simply don't have the budget.I also love the detail. It's the first book of the many I own on table settings that tells me what are the differences between the three possible coffee cups you can buy (coffee, after-dinner coffee and demitasse). Not bad as I live in Italy and Italians are crazy about coffee!!My advice: simply buy it.

For Art- of- the- Table Afficianados

This book makes for great reading and reference for anyone who loves silver, china, crystal, manners, entertaining, or the history of dining. There is plenty of good information for novices looking for their first patterns, as well. The history of the evolution of sterling silver designations, and the differences among types of china and stoneware are well described and interesting. Especially helpful is practical advice for choosing and combining patterns. The book is informative even for those already familiar with the topics.