Small Plates
June 2022
Want to update your menu, but not sure where to begin? Start small.
Whatever you call them – tapas, banchan, meze, dim sum or shareables – small plates are a mainstay in cuisines worldwide, a way to flex your culinary creativity and a crowd-pleasing choice for guests.
And if they’re not already on your menu, you could be missing out on potential profit. In a 2017 Technomic survey, about one in five consumers said they purchase small plates at least once a week, and almost 60% said they eat them by themselves.
Here are three reasons why small plates deserve a place on your menu – and how Libbey dinnerware can help you achieve big results:
1. Small plates are sized right
Despite ballooning portion sizes at restaurants over the past few decades, many Americans are still looking to eat healthier and control calories. Small plates can help health-conscious guests keep tabs on just how much food is in front of them, while helping you reduce waste.
Smaller portions can also support your bottom line. In that same Technomic survey, 37 percent of respondents said they believe small plates offer a better value than entrees. However, encouraging guests to build a complete, balanced meal out of two or more small plates can ultimately drive up profits in a way a single entrée cannot.
2. Small plates foster creativity
Don’t let their size fool you: Small plates can be showstoppers – a complete dining experience in miniature form, from the vessel to the ingredients to their artful arrangement. After all, why wow guests just once when you can do it over and over with each plate?
With small plates, it’s easy to prepare high-end and on-trend ingredients in new ways or test out menu items in a smaller format before committing to a full-size entrée.
Small plates also dare guests to eat like a food critic by sampling lots of different and new (to them) dishes. Diners may be more willing to try an unfamiliar or eclectic ingredient in a less-imposing quantity.
3. Small plates are fun
After two years of keeping mostly to themselves, your guests are ready to socialize – and what better way to do that than by sharing a meal?
Small plates are communal by design, encouraging guests to try a little of everything, pass plates and compare notes on favorite dishes. Be sure to present small plates in a shareable, bite-sized pieces so guests don’t have to do the messy work of dividing dishes up themselves.
If you’re still not sure if small plates are the right fit for your establishment, start by showcasing them as a nightly special, or simply scale down one of your most popular menu items, allowing customers to try out your top sellers before ordering the full-sized version.
No, the small plate concept isn’t new, but by adding just a few miniature, shareable items to your menu, you’ll give guests a new experience with every bite.
With a wide range of creative serving vessels – like ramekins, tasting spoons, mini cast iron pans and even shot glasses – Libbey can spark your imagination to create impressive presentations. Browse our full tabletop collection to get started.
