Opening a restaurant is a very involved endeavor. Deciding on a concept, theme, aesthetic and menu are just some of the many details that need to be figured out. And while your guests will experience all these things, the dinnerware might be one of your most important choices. Most people are unaware of how much their sense of touch informs their overall experience. But a substantial dish with tactile elements transforms a meal into a more luxurious affair.
Ali Abdulwahab Al Mutawa (AAW) Kitchens & Home Appliances showroom recently launched Jono Pandolfi, a company which specializes in handmade ceramic dinnerware. Each of the Jono Pandolfi products evokes a delicate balance between bold, spontaneous design and meticulous craftsmanship. The dinnerware is handmade from clay formulated in the Northeast USA using completely non-toxic and food safe materials and fired in their New Jersey design studio.
Jono Pandolfi’s elegant designs have graced the tables of some of New York’s best restaurants like Eleven Madison Park and Lilia. The goal is to provide restaurateurs with dinnerware that sets them apart from their competition. And while the products are beautiful, they are not delicate, in fact they are durable and dishwasher safe.
Three Jono Pandolfi collection designs are available; Coupe, Square Sided and Café. Six building techniques to form the dinnerware: throwing, hand building, jiggering, slip casting, pressing, and extruding. The glazed interior and raw, unglazed clay exterior make for a classic, elegant backdrop for your dinnertime creations.
Let’s not forget about drinkware. Several refined options are available when it comes to finding the perfect cup or mug to suit any coffee program. The barista collection was designed in collaboration with Eleven Madison Park. These cups, which come in three sizes, have the perfect interior curve and retain heat for longer than standard coffee cups.
This vertical-walled collection provides a different canvas—a flat contained surface for showcasing finer culinary details. The 4” bowl stacks nicely, giving chefs a number of possibilities when it comes to plating amuse-bouches and petit fours. The 8.5” plate is perfect for composed salads and shared dishes, while the 10.5” plate is the most spacious option for intricate plating presentations.
These pieces are the foundation of the hospitality collection— they offer restaurateurs and chefs a great deal of versatility, and act as a showcase for the cuisine with more plating space than a comparable rimmed plate. The 12” and 14” bowls are perfect for family-style serving. Larger ovals are great for bigger entrées like Tomahawk rib-eyes or whole roasted birds, while the small oval is ideal for sides of grilled vegetables.
With such a wide range of possible combinations your dishes will be Instagram-ready every single time. And in the wise words of Jono Pandolfi; “Think of a design as a recipe. Use the best materials available, practice it over and over, and eventually you’ll get it right.”
These handcrafted pieces have already made their way to Kuwait’s newly opened restaurants like Low Slow, Lunch Room and the soon-to- open The Social Table. To view the complete collection visit the AAW Kitchens & Home Appliances Showroom in Shuwaikh & Dajeej or on the website aawkitchens.com. For more information call 2226 1700 and follow AAW on Instagram @aawkitchens.
