Wednesday, September 22, 2010

Pasta di Myrleen Mystery Tablescape/Giveaway



Don't forget to enter my GIVEAWAY of a $65 CSN Gift Certificate.

Welcome to Red Couch Recipes Pasta di Myrleeen Mystery Table and Tablescape Thursday.

The other day I found these dishes at a local thrift store and I was hoping to find out more about the dishes from the Tablescape Thursday Audience.  Has anyone ever seen dishes like these?   I bought the dishes because I thought they were interesting, funky, and a great deal.   The set came with a pasta serving bowl and eight individual pasta bowls, all for $6.00.


DESCRIPTION OF DISHWARE

"Pasta alla Myrleen" is written on the pasta serving bowl.  "Napoli" is written on the front and back of the serving bowl.



"Pasta di Myrleen" is written on four of the individual pasta bowls.



Four of the individual serving bowls have no writing on them.


 On all but one of the dishes, including the serving dish, the blindfolded chef is eating or testing the spaghetti.  The backs of the dishes are marked with the word "Napoli."



  They are relatively heavy dishes and I think hand painted.  The dishes have a beautiful white glaze over a red pottery or ceramic ware.



QUESTIONS

*Is this just cheap dishware that came from Wal-Mart?

*Could it be the dinnerware of a now defunct restaurant?  I live in a small, rural town and there is no restaurant by that name.  The area I live in was settled, in part, by Italians; for a small town there is a relatively large Italian population.

*Is the blindfolded chef testing or eating spaghetti a common depiction in  Italy?  Why is he blindfolded as he tests or eats the pasta?

Is he wearing the traditional uniform of a chef in Italy?

*Why would some of the pasta dishes have Pasta di Myrleen written on it and some of them don't?


We served Rachel Ray's  Parsley Pesto-Breadcrumb Spaghetti in the pasta serving bowl.  Click HERE for the recipe.


Roco the Red Couch Rooster came to check things out at the table.  Roco arrived safely  at the Red Couch Recipe home yesterday.  Roco was a giveaway gift from Gnee the hostess who writes the warm and friendly blog Singing With Birds.  You really need to check out her Top Hits Fridays where she culls the blogworld for the week's best posts.  Thanks Gnee, we really love him!


Thank you for dropping by Red Couch Recipes where you are always welcome to take a seat and relax.


I am posting this with Susan at Between Naps at the Porch where you will be motivated to set a more inspired table.

Table Information:

Placemats:  Wal-Mart -- On clearance right now
Bubble Glasses -- Gift from Tai Pan Trading
Napkins -- Wal-Mart summer clearance
Napkin Rings -- Style Sisters
Pasta Serving Bowl and Individual Pasta Dishes -- Deseret Industries (thrift store)
Embossed White Plates -- Gift
Square White Plates -- Tai Pan Trading

29 comments:

Linda @ A La Carte said...

I can't answer a single of your questions so no help with your mystery! I do love the table setting and the bowls are very fun! I will need to check back and see if anyone has answers for you!!

Lynn said...

Great table Joni, I think your new dishes are fun! I've never seen them before though myself. Roco looks right at home and I'm gonna check out the RR pasta recipe:@)

Allie and Pattie said...

Well how cool! Myrleen is certainly not an Italian sounding name- I'm wondering if perhaps they were special ordered with the name of the hostess? Very nice!
xoxo Pattie

Sarah said...

Joni, from the look of the mark, I don't think these were cheap plates from a big box store. I'd say they are handpainted, and most handpainted Italian dishes are expensive. They are cute no matter, and at $6 for the set you got a steal regardless. Great find! They set a beautiful table. ~ Sarah

Pondside said...

What a pretty table! You definitely found a treasure in those dishes.

Anonymous said...

Beautiful dishes, Joni! Boy, that pasta looks delicious.

Sue said...

I don't have any answers either...but I do love the dishes and your new rooster. I can't wait to see if someone comes up with something for you.

Crafty Housewife said...

Stopping by from Tablescape Thursday...

I have never seen dishes like that before, but in my opinion you got a really neat set! Love the rooster too!

Miss Merry said...

I was hoping you were really going to serve pasta in those outstanding pasta bowls! Even if they turn out to be Walmart - they were certainly worth what you paid for them. I hope they turn out to be really special and we get all the answers to all your questions. I will be checking back in!

Pam - @diy Design Fanatic said...

So pretty! The pasta looks so good I want some -- and I just ate dinner!!!

Miss Char said...

Love the dishes and your mystery adds to the fun of your tablescape.

Debbie said...

I haven't a clue either, but I really like them! I think you got more than your money's worth at 6.00. (NEVER ANYTHING like that at our thrift store!) They do look hand painted.

I hope you find more answers to your mystery. In the meantime, GREAT DISHES regardless.

Tess said...

These are so cute...and they look hand-painted to me, but I really don't know anything-which I freely and unabashedly admit!!! This table is just charming.

The Damask Rose quest is getting expensive because I want to get it all NOW!! I have seen the next pieces on my list, but they are all too expensive! Thank you for stopping by my blog. See you on ebay!!!! :-)

Mid-Atlantic Martha said...

No help with your mystery, but your dishes are fun! If you don't find out -- have a contest to see who can make up the best story!

Sue said...

That Rachel Ray spaghetti looks delicious! Love the cheery blue color on the dishes. If you find out about the mysterious masked chef let us know:)

Jacqueline~Cabin and Cottage said...

Your Pasta bowls are hand-painted under glaze, made in Napoli, Italy. The bowls with names are a custom order. When these are imported they get expensive, but not so much at the source. The chef is wearing a national peasant costume. It looks to me like the character is wearing a carnival mask as in the Venice festivals, but I can't see by your photos if there are eye holes. I have seen bowls similar to these in Italy, and in import shops. They're pretty cool. You've got a great table!

Beth said...

Hi Joni, I'm glad Cabin and Cottage solved the mystery. I really like your bowls and your pasta looks excellent. Have a wonderful week!
Beth

Anne said...

This looks great, I never seem to find much but junk at thrift stores.

Sherry @ No Minimalist Here said...

The dishes are wonderful and what a deal you got! I am glad Cabin and Cottage was able to give you info on these. I love them!
Hugs, Sherry

Kathleen said...

I think they are wonderful, and hand painted with someone's name! Enjoy them!
I see you have been busy! The cookies are adorable, and the cupcakes look delicious!

Barbara said...

Wow! I need to go shop with you. I never find anything like that. Regardless of their origin (and I don't have a clue!), they are just wonderful.

Kate Dickerson said...

Yes, they are handmade in Naples (Napoli, in Italian). and the man is not a chef, but is dressed for attending carnival. I simply LOVE the dishes. So glad you found them!

Requi Tablescaping Escapades said...

What a playful tablescape. Love those whimsical candlesticks.

Maybe you can make up folklore to tell the tale of Pasta di Myrleen if no one knows about these mysterious dishes.

Marigene said...

Cute bowls...sounds like you got a fantastic deal on them. Great rooster, too!

SavoringTime in the Kitchen said...

I think you found a real treasure in these dishes! They so unique!

Marlis said...

I love your plates although i have no answers.. what a great find.

Anita Diaz said...

They are Italian for sure, Napoli is "Naples" in Italian. Funny thing is, there is an operetta "Naughty Marietta" with a very famous song called, "Italian Street Song" where Marietta sings about Napoli. (I was Marietta, so I sang it night after night, lol) But, there is a line in the play where a character says, "The time for the singing of the birds has come," so how funny that you are showcasing Roco!!

Jenny said...

I've seen those once before with someone elses name so I'm wondering if they might be something you get specially printed! Great find!

Unknown said...

yum! I love pasta! and your table is beautifully set!

Engageya