MEPRA 106422005 Dolce Vita 5-Piece Durable 18/10 Stainless Steel American Style Flatware Cutlery Set for Fine Dining, Dishwasher Safe, Service for 1

Lovely, happy with purchase!

I did a review on another patttern in the Mepra line. And I need to repeat some of what I said in that review. When I was growing up my mother had two place settings: one the good silverware, for guests, Thanksgiving, and then the regular eating utensils that we used. I now have several categories: 1)cheaper place settings I get at the store or Amazons, 2)Salvation army silverware that I buy cheaply whenever I drop off items, 3)the really good silverware that I slowly started to get. This is the THIRD category. You can feel the 18/10 stainless steel in terms of the heaviness, and you can feel how perfectly designed these are to be used. These aren't just stamped or ground out. Also, unlike my mother's fine silver, you don't have to polish these. Just put them in the washer. And you can TELL THE DIFFERENCE by looking at them compared to other pieces (if like me you buy cheaper sets or even second hand utensils when you lose a piece). They are far shinerier. If you didn't look and pulled it out of a drawer, you could tell one of these pieces by the solid feel. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED (but since they don't need polishing you can use them for everyday use, yet they are sparkling enough to use when you have guests.)

When purchased the description was that this set was "brushed" stainless steel but we received the mirrored finish which matched the picture. Otherwise the pieces are as expected, they are sturdy though worth noting that we've had Mepra pieces for months and they get very scratched up from day to day use and it will show on the flatware. I suspect that's quite normal but if you are expecting a spotless finish over time I think you'd have to be very careful in washing and storing the items to prevent scratching.

I just love this silverware place setting. the pieces are shiny enough to see yourself in them. It looks very sharp at a formal gathering. They really feel great in your hand because they are perfectly balanced! This may sound unusual but they even feel like they belong in your hand when you're loading the dishwasher. Of course, a big appeal is their attractiveness and balance while at the same time being able to stick them in the dishwasher rather than having to hand wash them. The size of these pieces of silverware is perfect and it's great to have a table knife that actually cuts your bread instead of smashing or tearing it. This is my new favorite place setting!

I love the quality of this flatware. It is thick and sturdy and won't bend easily. It will definitely pass the ice cream test. However, this look is so generic for this price point. I believe there are other comparable 18/10 stainless sets out there for much better pricing. I got many sets from this brand and some are much more striking and beautiful at a similar price point. These in person didn't even look as good as the photo to me. If you don't mind the pricing and like a very simple appearance, the quality is definitely there and they are all large which makes them so comfortable to use.

This is the second set of Mepra flatware that I am comparing and I really like this style. The pieces are very smooth to the touch and the finish is super shiny. I swear, even after two trips through the dishwasher, you could do your makeup with one of these spoons as a mirror.The overall design is a more traditional, slightly formal look than some of the other Mepra offerings. The tea/coffee spoon is a little larger than the Solo style for example and the handles on all these pieces are wider and flatter than the Oro line.

The pieces in this set have a nice weight to them. They do not feel cheap or flimsy. My test of quality is the fork tines. I find in cheap sets, the fork tines feel thin and really sharp. These feel substantial. I like the handles. They are simple, but the ends add a unique touch. This pattern will go with any dishes.

I'll be honest. I was suspicious when I saw this price-point. Mepra is not a familiar brand to me although according to other reviews it is quite prestigious. This quality of this silverware confirms that and I fear I am now ruined for regular (lower price silverware forever). The five piece set includes a knife, two forks and two spoons. The knife has nice, sharp serrations. The spoons have the narrower teaspoon style spoon shape. The forks have long, finely-pointed tines. Each piece is durable but light-weight to it and a beautiful sheen from the stainless steel. The ends of the silverware are pleasingly shaped as well making each utensil feel like a piece of art. Lovely.