Peak summer has brought a rise in casual entertaining, with salad bowls emerging as a quiet focus at city gatherings. This week, outdoor tables from Fort Greene rooftops to Riverside Park picnics are set with large, sturdy vessels—often wood, sometimes ceramic—meant to hold both prepared kits and market greens. At a Tuesday night dinner in Astoria, hosts used a wide acacia bowl from a big-box retailer, noting that it kept romaine crisp during a two-hour meal. Local shops in the Flatiron district report steady sales of oversized salad bowls, especially as residents prepare for weekend brunches and potlucks. Prices range from $25 for basic bamboo to well over $100 for handmade stoneware. Retailers say the demand is driven less by formality and more by a desire for practical pieces that look intentional, even when serving pre-packaged Caesar kits. Restaurant owners in Midtown mention a similar trend, with several adding large-format salads to their summer menus. On a recent Wednesday lunch rush, one café manager said customers expect generous, shareable servings, often presented in wide, shallow bowls. As the city moves deeper into the season, the humble salad bowl appears to be earning a regular spot at New York tables.