Dishes, Glasses and Flatware
August 8th, 2007 by
Chef Mom
I’ve mentioned that I love to set a pretty table. I don’t think you need to own fancy bone china and real silverware to do that. I would love me some china though. Someday I will inherit some lovely pre-war Noritake china in the Acacia pattern but that is still 20-30 years away (at least - please don’t rush Mom/Dad).
I don’t know why I’ve never purchased a china service. Practicality probably. Steve and I didn’t have a big wedding so we never registered for wedding china. Also, we have a ton of children and I’ve never liked having things that couldn’t be used for fear of breakage. I have recently decided to start buying my own china. I absolutely love the Lenox Solitaire 
White pattern and want to collect a service for 14.
My everyday dishes (Symphony) and my Sunday dinner dishes (Enhancements) are from Corelle. They are pretty and durable. I also picked up a set of Corelle Calloway at a yardsale for a couple bucks that coordinates nicely with my Enhancements dinnerware. I will be using my Enhancements dishes along with the luncheon and dessert plates from my Calloway set for the dinner party.
I also do not own any crystal stemware. I don’t believe I ever will. Glass breakage at our house is rampant and I refuse to get totally whacked out when someone breaks a glass by accident. I have broken several myself. I purchase my stemware from Kohl’s or Target or Wal-mart when needed. I have some very pretty water goblets made by Libbey that have withstood heavy usage pretty well. I also have several different styles of wine glasses that look nice with them. I recently picked up 6 of these cute little balloon glasses at Connie’s Antique Mall (a large indoor flea market) for $3! I am going to use them to serve the sorbet.
I keep most of my stemware “on display” so just to be sure that everything is bright and shiny, I’ve washed all my glassware. I like to hand wash my glasses in hot, soapy water then rinse and drip-dry in the drainer until they are almost dry. Then I finish drying them with one of those cloths that are made for cleaning windows and mirrors. You can pick them up in the automotive section at Wal-mart pretty cheaply and they are so much better than a tea towel at not leaving lint behind.
One of the most important (and tedious) tasks that must be done before a dinner party is cleaning your flatware. No spots and very shiny are musts for a beautifully set table. I have a set of very pretty silver-plated and gold-trimmed flatware. Unfortunately, it is a service for 8 and so there are not enough pieces for this dinner. So I will be using my old standby, my everyday set of Oneida Distinction flatware.
I originally purchased this set of stainless flatware over 20 years ago and it hasn’t lost its appeal over the years. I think that’s because it’s a very plain style. Over the years I’ve had to replace pieces that have been lost or eaten by the garbage disposal. I’ve also added additional place settings and special pieces to my original service. I have a service for 20 as well as the cocktail forks, butter knives, fruit spoons, etc. Sadly my pattern was discontinued so replacements and additions are a little harder to come by these days.
Some of my flatware pieces are a little less shiny than others. Why? Because we use this flatware everyday and we wash it in the dishwasher. Over time, stainless pieces will pick up a kind of haze from dish detergents and regular use. Dishwasher detergents are the worst offenders although even hand washing with liquid dish soap will leave a haze over time. Even water can leave behind deposits especially if you have hard water with a lot of minerals in it. Some foods will discolor the stainless as well. Then there is the inevitable scratching that occurs from normal wear.
Today I am cleaning all of my flatware so that it will be shiny and beautiful. Stainless flatware can be revived by wiping with plain white vinegar and buffing dry. Stubborn haze or stains, and even small scratches, can be removed by buffing with a paste made from water and a gentle cleanser like Bon Ami or Bar Keeper’s Friend. You will be amazed at how shiny the vinegar will make your flatware.