How to Set a Formal Table With Coffee Cups

Traditionally, coffee cups were not part of a formal table setting because coffee was usually served after the meal. However, the small demitasse coffee cup was often used for the formal meal, rather than the large coffee cup. Instead of serving the coffee at the table, diners took this time to go into another room, for the serving of the coffee. Traditional formal tables held an array of utensils, including fish forks and berry spoons. Modern traditions have relaxed, allowing a space on the table for a coffee cup. Does this Spark an idea?

Instructions

1

Set a dinner plate for each place setting. Place each plate directly in front of where the diner will sit.

2

Arrange a cloth dinner napkin on top of each plate. There are different ways to artfully fold the napkin; use the same method for each place setting on the table.

3

Set a dinner knife to the direct right of each dinner plate, with the blade facing the plate. Next to the knife, place the teaspoon. If you are serving soup, place the soup spoon next to the teaspoon.

4

Set a dinner fork to the direct left of each dinner plate. Next to the dinner fork, place the salad fork.

5

Place a butter plate above the forks, off to the left slightly, at each place setting. Lay a butter knife across each butter plate.

6

Set individual salt and pepper shakers directly above each butter plate, slightly to the right, at each setting.

7

Place a water goblet across from the butter plate, above the knife and spoons, at each place setting. Set a wine glass directly to the right of each water goblet.

8

Set a coffee cup in its saucer and place it to the right of plate, between the top of spoon and below the wine and water goblets. Do this at each place setting.