We talked to Padma Lakshmi, host of Bravo's Top Chef , food expert and author, about her dishes, tips, take on entertaining in the a.m.:  "For breakfast and brunch I always try to make sure there is a balance of sweet and savory items, with a tilt towards savory. It can often be a carb and sugar fest, but elegant little finger foods like deviled eggs are easy, inexpensive and nutritious". Putting effort into a well-styled table can go a long way, elevating dishes that are ultimately easy to make. A master of stylish entertaining, Lakshmi tells us: "pick a selection of items that can be made ahead. Often it's the dishes that need you at the stove-while everyone else is at the table-that will dampen the party". Discover our selection of 15 items that raise the bar on brunch.

 -Tamara Rappa

*click each item to shop

Dress up your table with a table runner; lighter and less formal than a tablecloth. This sets the tone for a cozy spread that means lingering over breakfast for hours.

Linen napkins add an extra special touch, and these are easy to wash. No need to dry clean or press.

…especially when napkin rings keep them neat and contained.

Create a delicious and easy frittata, discover our recipe HERE. This is an easy way to get a great breakfast together and easily serve a group. If serving one or two, simply portion and refrigerate or freeze the remaining pieces. Tip: bring this pan right to the table to serve.

 ...and set on top of a trivet for timesaving ease and rustic look.

Get coffee brewing with another time saver: an easy-to-use French press (which happens to make the best coffee).

If you’re serving coffee to a group, we love this stainless steel style by Krups.

We’re big fans of all kinds of tea, from matcha to Sakara’s Detox Tea. And because a kettle tends to have a permanent resting place that's visible in the kitchen, we love this decorative style (which happens to be electric) by Smeg.

A game changer: set your supply of coffee or tea on the table, keeping it hot for hours with a striking and handy insulated server.

Set out coffee mugs that differ from the cups in which you'll serve tea. These are colorful and inviting.

Go for traditional cups and saucers with a modern twist. We love the vintage look of faux tinware.

Add a stack of smaller plates (salad or dessert size) to your table. They're perfect for topping with an array of breakfast bites.

A tiered server adds a bountiful look to the table by adding height. Not just for breads, cookies and pastries:  use to display and serve fruit and cheese.

Go the extra distance by slicing and plating beautifully arranged fruit; serve bacon, sausage, or deviled eggs in style.

If breakfast or brunch calls for a touch of bubbly, we advise going with a stemless style that looks elegant but fits the daytime setting. These have a bit of iridescent color to them, and work beautifully with the lively color scheme.