Mainstays Alessandra Brown Stoneware Dinner Plate

This plate is very simple but elegant too. It has a warm rich tan color. The edges are high and will prevent spilling of juices and sauces. It's stoneware and is very heavy and sturdy feeling. It is 10 1/2 inches across so it's substantial in size. I have used it and washed it in the dishwasher without any problem. I have not used it in the microwave yet but think it will retain the heat very very well. I like it and can recommend it.

The first thing I notice about this dinner plate is that it is pretty heavy for the dinner plates I'm used to. So just as a dinner plate, it is probably too heavy for just casual use. But, the plate is obviously made out of heavy clay on purpose -- and that purpose is to retain heat or cold. So if you are serving food that you want to keep on the warm side, this is the type of plate that can be heated and will retain heat for a good while -- keeping your hot foods hot. And it works just as well on the cold side -- just stick the plate in the refrigerator to cool it down, then place your cold items on it to keep the food cold while on the table. This plate uses the same method of heavy clay in compress bands for retaining (or absorbing) more heat than normal over a longer time. -- used, for example, in hot or cold compresses to lengthen the time that the compress is at a useful temperature. In the case of the plate, the heavy clay is covered by a glazed surface to make it easier to clean in an automatic dishwasher, and to make it microwavable. All-in-all, a good find if you want that temperature control capability in your food at meals.