Here's a list of a few places in Mumbai where you can get the pick of the lot... and we're not just talking good... we also mean value for money.
Lohar Chawl
The can�t-go-wrong place is most certainly Lohar Chawl. The shops here are inexpensive and the crockery is good for every day use. Look out for the few Bohri-owned shops at the start of the lane (Crawford Market end).
Contemporary Arts (Napean Sea Road and Juhu)
Definitely nice for its mix and match variety. They have heavy pottery, hand-made, that is certainly not inexpensive. The quarter plates in ceramic cost Rs. 60 each and the dinner plates, Rs. 100 to 300. You get them also on brushed steel for Rs. 450 and Rs. 650 each.
Good Earth
Jolie, emphasis on hand-painted, happy colours. The bone china quarter plates are in the price range of Rs, 110 to 275, the dinner plates Rs. 165 to 490. The stoneware quarter plates are from Rs. 100 to 125 and the dinner plates from Rs. 125 to 150.
Beautiful Boulevard
Arguably the finest collection in the city, including Tiffany & Co., Noritake and Rosenthal. Tiffany dinner plates cost Rs. 4,000 to 6,000 a plate... but they are gold-plated. Noritake ranges between Rs. 600 and 3,500 per plate. And Rosenthal, from Rs. 1,140 to 2,694.
Felicitious
Here you can get Wedgewood sets starting from Rs. 75,000 upwards (71 pieces). The plates start at Rs. 900 per piece.
Akbarallys
There�s always Bombay�s oldest department store, Akbarallys, known for its wide range of economical dinner sets. There�s melamine (a set of six dinner plates cost between Rs. 415 and 650), bone china (Rs. 900 for the same), La Opala (Rs. 600), Corelle (Rs. 930).
Heera Panna
A whole world of crockery in the little lanes of this vast shopping centre. But you need time to go from shop to shop and check them out here.
Most of us have only one whole set of china backed upby a motley collection of unmatching plates, bowls, and dishes for everyday eating. If you entertain a great deal, the ideal situation is to have two whole sets, each with twelve settings. One is for everyday use, and should include tea - and breakfastware. The second could be a grander, more special affair for formal occasion.
