Bill Tindall
I put urethane varnish, the robust solvent kind, on our dining table around 30 years ago and it still looks good as new. I always thin varnish about 1:4 to make it flow and level better. In the case of this table I applied three coats sanding it smooth in between. The table is formal cherry so in this case I ground it flat after the 3rd coat and then then brought the gloss back up with rotten stone and oil.

A table that will be used needs to be able to endure oily foods and detergent washes, and even be somewhat what heat resistant. Either a conversion varnish, if you spray, or urethane varnish, if you brush, excels in these attributes.

I have yet to see a water based varnish that has the bright luster of the solvent based varnishes, whether it is rubbed out or not. I don't like their looks and I fail to see any advantage that they offer.