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Ina Garten uses only white dishes for hosting, and this $34 set looks like hers
The Barefoot Contessa says simple tableware 'makes the food look best.' Just one of her Pillivuyt plates costs more than this entire collection!
If we could score a seat at any dinner party on earth, one hosted by Ina Garten would be at the top of the list. We just know her food would look stunning and taste delicious, not to mention the warm, inviting atmosphere would likely make us feel right at home.
Well, we're not exactly waiting around for an invite (pretty please, Ina?) but we can take some tips from the queen of entertaining ahead of our own holiday gatherings. One of the Barefoot Contessa's fundamental rules? Food should be served on white plates — and this $34 Corelle Vitrelle 8-Piece Dinner Plate Set closely resembles her much-pricier dishes.
So, why does Ina prefer dinnerware that's as simple as possible? Because it acts as a blank canvas, allowing the meal to shine and take center stage. "I definitely like white," she tells CNN Underscored. "The plate is really about what makes the food look best, and I like it set against a white background. I never like plates that have patterns on them."
If you're having people over for the holidays, now might be a good time to swap your motley tableware for this cohesive, sturdy, lightweight set.
Of course, we were curious about exactly which white plates Ina uses, and according to her website, her dishes are by Pillivuyt, a high-end French porcelain brand. We found a set of four Pillivuyt dinner plates at Amazon for $156 — that's $39 per plate, and more than the entire 8-piece Corelle set!
Our lookalikes have a sleek, rimless design and are made of Vitrelle, a tempered, three-layer glass that's designed to be light yet durable. (It's also dishwasher- and microwave-safe.) They're a tad smaller than their pricier counterparts, but only by half an inch — we'll take a slight size discrepancy if it means saving this much money!
This versatile white set has garnered more than 4,400 perfect ratings from happy Amazon customers.
"I've been a fan of plain white Corelle Vitrelle forever," shared one longtime buyer. "Simple, elegant, easy to clean and (almost) unbreakable. These have been my go-to plates, bowls and dishes for years. I have broken a few pieces over the years, but you have to try pretty hard — or do something really stupid to break a piece of Corelle."
"If you haven't ever owned Corelle products, you're missing out," wrote another satisfied shopper. "These plates are no exception; super lightweight, not heavy at all, the white is perfect to go with all kitchens and looks clean and neat."
"We finally upgraded our plates and I couldn't be happier," raved a third. "They are lightweight and less bulky than other plates, so they stack great in my cabinet and create extra space."
While the majority of reviewers gave these plates high praise, several had some notes.
"I have carpal tunnel syndrome and find these plates much easier to handle," said one half of a mostly pleased couple. "I have had some for eight-plus years; they are very durable and seemingly unbreakable." That said, they added, "My wife was not enthusiastic about them at the beginning because they don't look as good as fine china. But, after so many years, she has somewhat changed her opinion. They are very functional; it makes up for a lot."
"It is a little hard to lift just a small stack off the top of a pile, such as when we only need five for [a] meal," explained a final fan. "Because they are so slim, they stack tightly. No room to put a finger in between, [I] need to use my fingernail."
If you do prefer a bit of a pattern, we won't tell Ina! This cute set is a steal at $28.
As for Ina's beverage vessel of choice...
In the same CNN Underscored interview, Ina says, "I usually use stemless wine glasses from Riedel. I think they're really simple and they're really pretty." Plus, they're less likely to shatter than the conventional variety.
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The reviews quoted above reflect the most recent versions at the time of publication.
