This isn't a sponsored post, and it doesn't contain affiliate links. I paid for my Jono Pandolfi dinnerware out of pocket.
You may have spotted Jono Pandolfi Designs dinnerware on season 3 of The Bear. You might have noticed the mention in Wirecutter's review of the best dinnerware sets. Maybe you've even seen it on this blog, serving as a backdrop for kimchi fried rice. Jono Pandolfi ceramic stoneware has a minimal, modern feel and was originally designed for restaurant use. (They started selling to households during the COVID-19 pandemic.)
In March 2023, I purchased six of the 10.5" Coupe entree plates ($52 each), 8.5" Coupe salad plates ($44 each), 5.75" Coupe bread plates ($27 each), and 5.75" Coupe cereal bowls ($34 each), all in dark brown/white. In the subsequent months, I've also purchased two espresso cups ($34 each) and the medium oval platter ($68), also in dark brown/white.
Was it worth the money? Here are my thoughts on the pros and cons of my Jono Pandolfi plates, bowls, and other items.
Pros:
The dinnerware is a high-quality, artisan product.
There's a reason Jono Pandolfi dishes were featured on The Bear and show up at fine dining restaurants across the country—they're elegant, functional, and well-made. I love the sleek, minimal design of the Coupe collection, and the dark brown/white glaze option is neutral without being too boring, thanks to the edge of dark brown peeking up around the edges of the plates and bowls. I also appreciate the heft of the pieces, which makes eating something as mundane as a bowl of bran flakes feel special.
It's easy to buy matching pieces.
Since a large component of Jono Pandolfi Design's business is the restaurant industry, their products tend to stick around—they've been producing the Coupe Collection since 2012. If you want to purchase additional matching items or need to replace a piece, you'll likely be able to do so for years down the road.
The dinnerware is durable.
As I mentioned above, these are sturdy dishes meant to withstand commercial dishwashers, so they can definitely stand up to your home kitchen. I don't necessarily recommend dropping them, but I've accidentally done so a few times and the plates were unscathed. In addition to being dishwasher safe, the dinnerware is also microwave safe.
The Coupe Collection plates are compact.
I love that the Coupe Collection plates have a low profile, so they don't take up much vertical space in my cabinets. The slim design also makes it easy to fit a bunch of them into the dishwasher.
You're supporting a small U.S. artisan manufacturer.
Jono Pandolfi Designs ceramic stoneware is made at their studio in Union City, New Jersey by 20 artisans (the company has 31 employees total). Since the vast majority of consumer goods (including high-end items) are mass-produced overseas to ever-lower standards, I think it's important to support U.S.-based manufacturers that maintain a high level of quality.
Cons:
The dinnerware is expensive.
This is the elephant in the room: Jono Pandolfi dinnerware is expensive and out of reach for many consumers. I believe the price is fair, considering the quality and that it's handmade in the United States, where wages are much higher than many parts of the world. The shipping is also pricey (and it's never free, no matter how much you buy), which reflects the weight of the items and the fact that ceramic needs to be carefully wrapped in a lot of packing material to arrive intact. For example, the shipping cost for my initial order of 18 plates and 6 bowls was $59.97. Again, I think the shipping costs are fair, but there's some sticker shock when many online retailers have accustomed us to "free" shipping.
Jono Pandolfi offers a 10% off sale for Black Friday, and I also received a 10% discount via email when a particular item I had asked to be notified about was back in stock (I'm not sure if that's standard). I recommend signing up for their email list to be notified of upcoming sales.
It's difficult to see dinnerware in person before you buy.
Jono Pandolfi dinnerware isn't regularly available in stores. The only options for buying in person are their temporary holiday pop up stores in New York and Los Angeles and Open Studio Days, held on the first Friday of the month at their New Jersey studio. If you're not in the New York metro, your best bet for seeing the dinnerware in person is at a restaurant—the Jono Pandolfi website features a frequently updated restaurant guide listing their hospitality clients. However, a restaurant might not be using the particular collection or color you're interested in purchasing. Alternatively, you could buy a single small item, like an espresso cup, condiment bowl, or bread plate, and try it out before committing to a larger order.
Personally, I think this is the biggest con—I really agonized about spending $900 on a set of dinnerware that I hadn't seen or touched.
Items aren't always in stock.
Although basic plates and bowls ship within five to ten business days, more unusual items, like the 13" Coupe serving bowl, and certain colors, like dark brown/moss, aren't always in stock, and some items have 4-6 week lead times. You can sign up for an email to be notified when out-of-stock items become available again.
The takeaway: None of the cons are a deal breaker for me. I absolutely love my Jono Pandolfi ceramic dinnerware and I think it's worth the cost. The dishes are high-quality, durable, look beautiful, and I'll be using them for many, many years to come.
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