Hot plates: Cool alternatives to fine china

Improved manufacturing and abundant competition has driven down prices on dinnerware, giving consumers lots of choices that are affordable enough for daily use but still special enough for entertaining. For every taste, there is a plate. (Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times)

Nov. 22, 2012 1:10 PM PT

Consumers have never had so many good choices in dinnerware: dishes with the irregular charms of hand-formed ceramics for $5 a pop, or contemporary twists on fine china for less than $20. Here’s a quick look at what’s in stores.