Boston - June 17, 2008

Dish of the Day

Bon Genre Picnic Plates

Barbecue checklist:
10 lbs. homemade sausage
3 pitchers basil-infused vodka
Mom’s eight-hour pasta salad
Organic bug repellant
Reusable dishware that doesn’t resemble Chinet

Stumped on the last one? Bon Genre makes melamine plates that pass for hand-painted china (minus the breakage potential).

Inspired by her days as an antiques dealer, designer Jill Fenichell layers images with pastoral artwork to create the ideal picnic mate. Most sets are decaled with images like spring flowers or gold chains, while the Jane Austen series shows off an old-school sporty femme.

Careful, though, the material melts, so keep it away from super-hot surfaces and dishwashers.

Which reminds us: Better add “fire extinguisher” to that list.

Available at Hudson, 312 Shawmut Avenue, South End (617-292-0900); 61a Central Street, Wellesley (781-239-0025 or hudsonboston.com); online at bongenre.com.

  Outdoorsy