Alice Waters. Heath Ceramics. Two Bay Area icons.
The founder of Chez Panisse has teamed up with the classic Sausalito pottery company to create the Chez Panisse Line. Designed for use in the famed restaurant, the line of tableware is similar to classic restaurant dinnerware, but with a difference: it's handcrafted, and so it has an organic feel.
Very attractive with a nice glaze, but I'd really hate to chip something that cost $40 a plate. I'm just a skinflint, but I can't bring myself to pay too much for something that stands a good chance of chipping, cracking or breaking at some point.
I'm a big fan of Heath - this stuff doesn't chip or break easily. It's very sturdy. Quite a few restaurants around the country carry it, including Slanted Door.
I particularly like their tiles - my bathroom and kitchen look fantastic, thanks to Heath!
I had some custom dishes printed at Heath for a private club with their logo design, and although they were very slow to respond (I think they're really busy - probably with Alice Waters!) and delivery took quite some time, the dishes came out great and they seemed very sturdy.
I own quite a bit of Heath ceramics and it looks and feels great. I can't even start my mornings without a big cup of coffee in one of my big Health mug -- oh, they are just so perfectly weighted. My only criticism is that these Chez Panisse dishes look pretty boring... Heath does dishes in so many great colors (they have a grey and persimmon line that's divine!)
These are actually really beautiful in person. They are three shades of the same color, all in the mid-range. They are also not available to the public. BUT they can be had at the Heath outlet shop in Sausalito. They are 2nds and they will ship.
Woops. THEY are available but the 2nds are a heck of alot cheaper.