I'm a big fan of many Lenox patterns, especially the holiday/special occasion ones. When I make my first million I'm buying a full set.

I agree Noritake seems to not be in the same class as several other brands such as Lenox, Wedgewood, and such as those.

I'm a simple girl, my two patterns are both Lenox...
casual-Butler's Pantry dinnerware
china - Federal Platinum

Wedgwood is classic, though it is expensive. That would be my first choice.

However, I like many of the casual patterns such as what you find at Crate & Barrel.

I'm so bitter. We went with two Pfaltzgraff patterns for our everyday wedding china and I just discovered that both of them are "retired." Yes, i can get more on eBay, but at a major markup. UGH. That'll teach me to stray from classic.

You can try replacements.com, but they are pricey too. Sorry, that stinks.

Shortly before our wedding, we got a notice that Dillard's was discontinuing our pattern. The pattern itself was still around, that store just wasn't carrying it anymore.