Salad bowls for compliments

Restaurants often serve guests complimentary appetizers before their ordered meals. Such a treat is called a “compliment” , and is presented in special small-sized salad bowls. Such tableware serves as an original table decoration and a recognizable element of a restaurant brand. The main thing is to choose utensils with taste!

When to use salad bowls for compliments

The tradition of offering customers free meals was invented by French restaurateurs in the mid-twentieth century. Small portions help whet guests' appetites and increase interest in the menu. Sometimes chefs present signature or, conversely, less popular dishes as compliments.

The most common free snack options are:

• skewers with olives, cheese, vegetables;
• mini pizza;
• ham rolls;
• small sandwiches;
• tartlets.

Luxury restaurants serve baked oysters, shrimp, and tartare as compliments.

But the most popular type of free appetizer is salad. Depending on the type of restaurant, this could be a mini-portion of a complex salad, a seafood cocktail, or a fresh vegetable platter. Such snacks are served in salad bowls designed for one person, small plates or special curved spoons . If a restaurant offers a fruit salad as a compliment before dessert, then the dish is presented in bowls .

Types of salad bowls

The French call a free treat from a restaurant amuse de bouche , which translates as “entertainment of the mouth.” This snack is served in small portions, so the volume of the dishes does not exceed 30-60 ml.

Various types of salad bowls are used to serve compliments, including:

bowls - round items made of glass or porcelain, used for decorating vegetable salads;

shells, fish - suitable for fish and seafood appetizers;

square plates - used when serving chopped vegetables;

drop - a salad bowl with a curved silhouette, harmoniously complements beautifully decorated compliments;

stand - served with large curved spoons in which portions of salad are placed.

There are many forms of salad bowls - stars, leaves, bowls, salad glasses, etc. In table etiquette there are no clear rules for the purpose of such utensils. It is important to select products according to the style and concept of the restaurant.

Features of choice

Dishes for serving compliments are used not only in restaurants. When receiving guests at home, you can serve appetizers, snacks for wine, and snacks such as olives and nuts in miniature salad bowls .

When choosing from an online store, carefully read the product description. It should indicate that the product is intended for giving compliments. Pay attention to three more factors:

size – the volume should not exceed 60 ml, which is the maximum portion of a compliment;

design - a free treat expresses respect for the guests, therefore it should be served in elegantly shaped salad bowls, combined with other utensils of the establishment;

material – vegetables and cocktail salads look beautiful in crystal and glassware. For mushroom and fish appetizers, porcelain or stainless steel is more suitable.

Stores usually offer miniature salad bowls in sets of 3-9 items. The cost of a glass set starts from 600 rubles. Craft porcelain and ceramics products are sold individually.

Care and storage rules

When it comes to care, you need to pay attention to the material of the product. Most professional dishes can be washed in the dishwasher. For example, glass and porcelain salad bowls can be washed absolutely safely in the dishwasher, which is important for cafes and restaurants since they have a large flow of dishes per day. On the other hand, there are products made from more delicate products, for example wood , which it is advisable to wash only by hand.

A convenient place to store salad bowls is a kitchen cabinet. IzdeLilies cannot be stacked on top of each other so as not to damage the edges. It is better to arrange the dishes in a row, placing microfiber cloths in between. Another good storage option is a hard cardboard box. Elegant salad bowls made of porcelain or crystal will decorate a glass sideboard in the living room.