Splendid French cutlery..

The options for silver cutlery are almost overwhelming at the Cours Salaya, there is an enormous offering of individual pieces to mix and match {my favorite},

expanded sets of elegantly polished silver in original chests,

and everything in between.

For entertaining, I really wanted to have some pretty French “restaurant” silver, a blend of different durables metals, plated with silver.

Over the years, I’ve bought a number of fork and spoon sets in this shape {my favorite is engraved with “Hotel de Ville”, which is where the mayor lives in each town, from St. Tropez}. I love to use these for casual dinner parties {and most my dinner parties are pretty casual these days}. The shape is elegant, but the size and weight is substantial. The unique patina and engravings add unique character to each place setting. The fact that they can go in the dishwasher also makes them a favored choice over my more formal silver.  On this trip, I looked for spoons and forks of the same shape, with interesting markings and monograms. The monograms are usually found on the back of the pieces here, because when the French set the table they place the forks and spoons the the tines and bowls pointed down.

With a little bit of polish, these pieces looked stunning, here is the monogram on the back side of the severely tarnished pieces in the grouping above.

For my everyday cutlery, I found a set just like I have at home, by Laguiole. You can buy it from William Sonoma, HERE.