Setting the Table for a Soup & Salad Meal

Choose china and flatware based on the food served. You will need at minimum a soup bowl, a salad plate, a bread plate and butter knife, a salad fork and a soup spoon, as well as cups or glasses for the beverages you intend to serve, and a napkin. For a casual meal such as this, you can mix and match bowls and plates with complementary colors and design.

Center the soup bowl as the crux of the setting. You may put a plate beneath it, though this is not necessary. Place dishes 2 inches back from the edge of the table.

Place the napkin, either in or out of a ring, to the left of the soup bowl. You may also place it folded on the plate under the bowl.

Place a salad fork to the left of the napkin. Place a soup spoon to the right of the soup bowl.

Place the salad plate to the left of the fork.

Position the bread plate above and slightly to the right of the soup bowl. Lay the butter knife across its edge.

Place cups or glasses above and to the right of the soup bowl. Provide separate glasses for water and red wine or white wine, and tea cups and saucers or coffee cups and saucers if these beverages will be served with the meal.