This simple, beautiful, and functional salad bowl is part of an entire tableware and bakeware collection designed by Sophie Conran, an English food writer with her own gourmet pie company. Conran infuses her namesake tableware with a flowing organic nature and tactile expression, as evidenced by the ridges and dipped rims that recall handcrafted pottery. Made of porcelain expressly for Portmeirion, the collection comes in glossy white with select pieces available in cool blue celadon and a creamy biscuit color. The smaller of two serving bowls, this one takes the shape of a round bowl that's been gently pushed into a more oval shape while still in the moist clay stage. With its slightly wavy and uneven rim, giving it a rustic yet modern appeal, the 9-1/2-inch bowl compellingly serves up a crisp green salad, fresh fruit salad, and side dishes of rice or vegetables. The quite durable bowl is safe to use in the freezer, microwave, and oven, and goes right into the dishwasher for easy clean-up. Pair with the larger 13-inch bowl for coordinated serving at the table. Any Sophie Conran piece makes a great gift for the home cook who enjoys something out of the ordinary. --Ann Bieri
