Shallow Bowls - An Essential Addition to Your Dinnerware Collection

Whether you call them pasta bowls or soup plates, shallow bowls are the perfect in-between piece of dinnerware or serveware. Essentially a cross between a dinner plate and a cereal bowl, these versatile dishes are wide with low, gently sloping sides that make them great for any number of dishes.

The shallow bowls in this Williams Sonoma collection have sides high enough to contain a hearty stew or a heaping serving of risotto, but they're also wide and shallow enough for a slice of pie à la mode or even scrambled eggs. The added height on the side also makes them perfect for serving pastas and other saucy dishes that might not be well contained by a plate. Finally, these dishes are ideal for all of your one-dish favorites like grain and poke bowls. Williams Sonoma also offers a number of shallow serving bowls that are great for delivering sides to the table or for serving a big dish of pasta.

The Options

Most of Williams Sonoma's dinnerware collections include a shallow bowl piece. Depending on the line, it may be called a pasta bowl or a soup plate. Some lines offer both. Most collections will also offer a shallow serving bowl. You can even find this plate/bowl hybrid in unbreakable melamine for outdoor dining. Check out the formal and everyday dinnerware collections from the following brands, all of which include shallow bowls:

• Apilco - classic French porcelain, available individually or in 4- and 5-piece place settings
• Le Creuset - premium stoneware with a vibrant glaze in your choice of four colors, available in 16-piece sets that include four place settings
• Open Kitchen - sturdy porcelain for every day, available individually or in sets of four
• Pillivuyt - restaurant-quality porcelain in multiple subtle patterns, available in 4-piece place settings or in sets of four
• Terre - sturdy stoneware in four colors, available individually, in 4-piece place settings or in sets of four

Wrap it Up

If you are looking for a thoughtful gift, consider a shallow display or serving bowl. Williams Sonoma offers a large shallow stoneware bowl with a Mediterranean-inspired pattern that would make a beautiful fruit bowl. You could also opt for or a smaller handmade bowl that would be perfect for serving nuts or for showing off a collection of small decorative items. Filled with handcrafted candy, it would make a truly special hostess gift.