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

by Suzanne Von Drachenfels (Author) "FOOD IS MORE to us than the fuel of life..." (more)
Key Phrases: oval soup spoon, cream soup spoon, white tin glaze, Middle Ages, United States, Menu Plan (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review
Do you know how to set the table? Worry about your dinner manners? Finally, with The Art of the Table, Suzanne von Drachenfels comes to the rescue with a truly comprehensive guide to the correct use of tableware and confidence-building information about proper dining etiquette. Von Drachenfels, a former Tabletop Consultant for dinnerware makers Fitz & Floyd, defines the vocabulary of tableware and explains the selection, use, and care of dinnerware, flatware, stemware, and table linens. She expertly details the basic service techniques for all types of entertainment, and even includes advice on menu planning. Learn how to read the labels of wine bottles or how to filet a fish at the table; learn where and when to sit down and the proper way to eat finger foods.

Spicing up the how-to text are fascinating tidbits of social and culinary history. Who knew, for instance, that the first napkin was a lump of dough or that ancient Egyptian feasts often concluded with a coffin laid out with an imitation skeleton to remind diners to appreciate the bounteous gifts of life? The author reveals the origins of everyday expressions--such as "eating humble pie"--and covers the history of table manners to shed light on the commonsense reasons behind today's customs. Food service professionals--restaurateurs, service staff, and caterers--will find the book an indispensable guide to the correct way to set a table and present food, but anyone who has a need or yearning to know the nitty-gritty of table setting, table manners, and tableware will be sure to find answers to all of their questions and more in this exhaustive reference book. --Robin Donovan

Review
Nancy Dunnan coauthor of The Amy Vanderbilt Complete Book of Etiquette Suzanne von Drachenfels's charming book, The Art of the Table, combines the history of what we eat with how we eat in a way that will appeal to those who entertain, those who are interested in the history of civilization, and those who simply want to know what the rules are. -- Review

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 592 pages
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster (November 8, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0684847329
• ISBN-13: 978-0684847320
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 7.5 x 1.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #81,551 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

68 of 68 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Using the Right Fork for Breakfast at Tiffany's, July 4, 2001

By	Susan Shwartz (Forest Hills, NY United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

My best friend, who collects silver, recommended this book to me; the combination of THE ART OF THE TABLE and eBay is a dangerous, but pleasurable one.

I was afraid it would simply be an extremely high-ticket etiquette manual. While it explains what fork to use -- and I never knew there were so many kinds of forks! -- it also explains the history and craftsmanship behind flatware and dishes with a fascination I could well appreciate and a level of knowledge I had to respect.

The level of care and detail is intimidating. I rather doubt I'll ever entertain in diplomatic circles, which is kind of a shame because now I'd know what to do! For daily life, I'd say more care&feeding of tableware is definitely indicated, and I'd be glad of a maintenance section: what to do when things scratch, things break, etc. And I'm going to put my sterling in the dishwasher ANYHOW.

Reading this book is like looking at holiday catalogues: you understand why they used to be called wishbooks. I'm proud, however, that my friends say I set a lovely table (they're good guests, which is an art in itself), and I'm determined now NOT to keep the "good stuff" stored away because it's too good to use.

von Drachenfels has added to my quality of life, as well as my credit-card balance. I'd say I came out the winner.

50 of 50 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars All what you need to entertain like a Princess, October 24, 2001

By A Customer

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.

34 of 34 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars An eye opening read about high-end dinning, November 15, 2003

By	Stephanie Manley (Houston, TX) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

This book is filled with details about dinning, plate service, silverware, glassware, and so much more. Granted much of the information contained in this book is not useful in everyday life, as the progression of tableware is much beyond what we normally use, the extra tidbits of information is very enlightening. I like this book because it explains everything you could possibly encounter. I found that the pictures of silverware, and tableware to be very helpful.

Drachenfels writes with a great style that makes the reading effortless. She writes a thorough history of tableware, and manners how they have developed through the ages. Sometimes the reasoning behind a specific manner can be very intriguing. While the book calls itself a complete guide to table setting, manners, and tableware, I feel its main focus is on the tableware and table setting. This is not the complete guide to manners.

The book is a fascinating read if you are interesting in dinning, and is very helpful for setting a table, and selection of tableware. The book is well written, easy to read, and has many illustrations for examples of what is being discussed. The Art of the Table is also very interesting from a historical perspective and how dinning has evolved in the West over the years.