Understanding Table Setting and Its Etiquette

Table setting etiquette, also called tablescaping, starts the conversation before the first course arrives. The way a place setting is arranged sets the ambiance for a dining occasion. From the number of utensils surrounding the plate to the way a napkin is presented, each element establishes a level of formality before a meal. Learning to read a formal table setting ensures that your attention stays where it belongs: on the food and on the company. Read on to understand how a table is arranged and the etiquette that accompanies it. You’ll know what to reach for and when, so you can move through any dining occasion with confidence.

The History of Table Setting

Table setting found its roots in Western culture many centuries ago. This is because practices began to change during the end of the 1700s, particularly during the Victorian Era. Food was no longer served all at once, but rather to each guest individually by course. With more room on the table, people began to want to fill the spaces, to make dining a feast for the eyes as well as the stomach. There were now gorgeous centerpieces, and the number of eating utensils and glassware grew. Over time, the way a table was set became a way to show off status and class, popular among royalty and aristocrats. 

The variation of utensils is arranged in a specific order on either side of a plate as a way to guide diners according to the courses they will consume. This lets a person know how much they can expect to consume and which utensils are to go with it. These days, extensive table setting isn’t just for the upper class. Everyday people find themselves practicing this art for holidays, parties, weddings, and a wide variety of occasions. Beyond a practical function, it’s now an expression of creativity. Some people even compete in tablescaping competitions. 

Types of Western Table Setting

All table settings follow the same basic formula: what is set out is what will be used. That’s why you’ll see fewer plates and utensils for a casual event than an eight-course meal. We go over the basic set-up for each type.

Basic

The basic table setting consists of the essential staples. It’s your everyday setting at the table for lunch or dinner at home. This can also be used at a restaurant with a casual and comfortable atmosphere. Additional utensils or glasses will be brought out according to what is ordered.

• Plate in the middle
• To the left: napkin with a fork on top
• To the right: dinner knife (if needed, a spoon to the right of the knife)
• Top right of plate: water glass

Casual

The casual table setting is what is often seen at restaurants that mainly serve steak or an Italian restaurant that tends to serve more courses. Typically, along with the basic table setting, you’ll find the addition of: a salad fork, a soup soon, a dessert fork and spoon, bread plate and bread knife, and a wine glass. Outside of restaurants, it’s often used for dinner parties.

• Plate with a napkin set on top of the plate
• To the left: salad fork and dinner fork
• To the right: soup spoon and dinner knife
• Top left of plate: a bread plate with a butter knife
• Top right of plate: water glass and wine glass (The water glass should be above dinner knife, and the wine glass is to the right of the water glass)
• Above the serving plate: Dessert fork and spoon, laid horizontally. The fork is at the top with the handle facing the left. The spoon is at the bottom with the handle facing the right. 

Formal

A formal table has the highest number of silverware and glassware. You can often come across this style of table setting at a Michelin-star restaurant or a fine-dining establishment. 

• A charger with a plate on top of it and then a cloth napkin on top of the plate
• To the left: salad fork, dinner fork; some settings include a fish fork
• To the right: oyster fork, soup spoon, dinner spoon, salad knife, dinner knife (include a fish knife if you’ve set out a fish fork)
• Top left of plate: bread plate with butter knife on top of it
• Top right of plate: water glass, sherry glass, wine glass, champagne glass (can remove what isn’t needed)
• Above serving plate: dessert fork and spoon

Experience Elevated Dining at the Royal Wing Suites & Spa

Now that you are aware of the ins and outs of how a table is set, why not put your knowledge to the test? The Royal Grill Room & Wine Cellar awaits with premium imported meats cooked to perfection. Pair your deliciously indulgent dish with a prized wine from this Chaîne des Rôtisseurs-accredited venue’s underground wine cavern, featuring an extensive collection of some of the best Old-World and New-World wines. A gourmet meal truly reaches new heights within the walls of this steak house in Pattaya.

A fantastic meal is best enjoyed knowing you’re ending the evening in accommodations that are equally as superb. Reserve a stay at the Royal Wing Suites & Spa by clicking here or send us an email at [email protected]. You can also call us at 038 250 421 or chat with us directly via LINE (@royalcliff) or WhatsApp (+66842289596) to secure your booking.