The a la carte table setting refers to how each guest’s place at the table is arranged when an a la carte menu is served. This is typically done when the entire party orders from the a la carte menu, which is more common in Europe than in the United States.

It is a table set-up style commonly used in casual and formal dining in the United States. It is designed for convenience and efficiency, making it a popular choice in restaurants and events. The arrangement is straightforward and less elaborate compared to European styles like French or Russian. 

It is also known as the British formal table setting, is a traditional and elegant style used for formal dining occasions. This setup is influenced by the customs of British dining and emphasizes order, symmetry, and attention to detail. It is commonly used during banquets, weddings, or state dinners. 

Russian-style table settings are formal settings used for banquets, formal dinner events, and in many fine dining restaurants. The table setting is distinctive and appealing. Dinnerware, glassware, and flatware are placed precisely on the table. When a Russian-style table setting is used, no courses are placed on the table. Waiters and waitresses, or servants serve each course at the table. As the course is finished, the settings used are removed. 

All the mise en place follows a very specific sequence of this way of serving. Each one of the guests should have a flat plate, placed over the presentation plate, accompanied by a napkin.

The cutlery should follow an order, from the inside to the outside. The knives are placed on the right-hand side of the plate, under the following order: meat knife, fish knife, and a soup spoon. The forks are placed on the left-hand side, also in the same order.   

The glasses are placed in the following order: the red wine glass towards the tip of the meat knife, the water glass to the left, the white wine glass to the right, and the champagne glass between the water and wine glasses.