Tabletop Buying Guide
Your table-top products are the ultimate finishing touch to your restaurant’s tables and includes everything your customers and your staff needs to enjoy their experience at your restaurant. Table-top encompasses a huge number of different products, from condiments to tea-light holders, candles to table accessories, place mats to menu holders and more. These are those important essentials every restaurant needs and like tableware, glassware, napkins and table-covers they should look superb to reflect your restaurant’s brand and livery. At Alliance there are plenty of different styles and materials to suit your needs. Everything is made from the highest quality materials and designed to withstand plenty of use and this is reflected in the premium brands stocked.
Condiment Sets
Condiment sets include salt & pepper shakers and grinders, oil & vinegar, condiment holders, condiment pots, sugar shakers, relish shakers, dishes and stands and there are plenty of different materials available depending on the look you want to achieve. From stainless steel to wood, glass to acrylic, vintage to modern there is something for every establishment.
Which Material?
Most restaurants tend to select something relatively traditional which will remain in fashion in years to come and this usually means simple, classical designs in sturdy glass or stainless steel. The most popular salt and pepper sets tend to be glass based with metal tops or acrylic with metal tops. This is because these materials are ideal for hardwearing everyday use and they are easy to refill. Additionally, there are many wooden styles and even colourful options. Similarly, oil and vinegar sets are available in traditional styles with their own stands or there are some beautifully stylish curvaceous glass types and even mirrored products. Generally, salt and pepper sets and condiment sets are easy to choose, it’s down to personal preference and the style of your restaurant. It is a good idea to buy your condiment sets to match so everything flows beautifully.
Tea-light Holders, Tea-lights, Candle Holders & Candles
Often, it’s the finishing touches that make the greatest difference to how a table in a restaurant looks. This is why choosing the right tea-light holders and candle holders is imperative! Tea-light holders and candle holders are a great way of introducing colour to a table and at Alliance there are a rainbow of different colours to choose from, including red, purple, lime, anthracite, fuchsia, aqua and more.
Tea-lights and candle holders are made in a thick, sturdy glass which won’t get hot to the touch and this glass is hardwearing enough to withstand plenty of use. Often overlooked are birthday candle holders. Many people choose to celebrate a birthday at a restaurant so ensure you have a good stock available! You will find these on the Alliance website along with the other tea-light holders and candle holders.
Remember to buy the candles to match too and choose a product which will give you plenty of burning time so you won’t need to re-light during the evening hours. Consider the style of nightlight you want for your restaurant and the atmosphere you are looking for. There are plenty of different candle styles available on the Alliance pages, from pillar candles of different shapes and sizes to tapered candles which create endless romance and again, available in a variety of colours. There are also twilight candles, birthday candles, floating candles and church candles. Finally, purchase a useful lighting taper too which every restaurant should own.
Table Accessories
Sometimes overlooked, table accessories are all-important and necessary so to complete your dining sets don’t forget to choose the perfect accompaniments. Alliance has a large collection of table accessories in different materials and styles to complement your tableware.
What Are Table Accessories?
Table accessories encompass a large number of items:
- Toast racks
- Lobster forks & crackers
- Seafood trays
- Lemon squeezers
- Knife sets
- Egg cups
- Butter dishes
- Gravy boats/sauce boats
- Mixing glasses
All of the above are vital components to your restaurant! If you serve breakfast then you will need toast racks which are generally made out of chrome or stainless steel. A 6 rack is the most popular choice and there are modern and traditional versions available depending on your establishment. Likewise, breakfast customers need egg cups and butter dishes and it’s wise to get the matching set so everything looks perfectly uniform.
If you specialise in seafood purchase lobster forks, lobster crackers and seafood trays for your customers and another important product to own is a selection of lemon squeezers.
Finally, gravy and sauce boats are used on a daily basis as are mixing glasses, available in glass.
Place Mats & Coasters
To sit alongside your tableware, many restaurants choose to use placemats which are easy to keep clean; they also dress up a table no end. Placemats and coasters create a fabulous looking dining table and if you want to use colour they are a super way of brightening up a restaurant and are regularly used for decorative purposes. Placemats and coasters not only look attractive but they serve a practical purpose too because they protect tablecloths from spills, accidents and heat damage.
Different Place Mat/Coaster Materials
At Alliance there are different materials to suit your restaurant’s needs.