桌 grows wood 木 under a 'tall' top (related to 卓, outstanding): the tall wooden thing. Like chairs, high tables arrived late — when China rose from floor mats, furniture and characters rose together.
桌 hosts Chinese life's main events: 桌子 (table), 书桌 (desk — with 书), 饭桌 (dinner table). 一桌菜 means a table-full of dishes — the measure word for banquets counts whole tables. Round tables with lazy Susans are the social ideal: no head seat, food revolving to everyone equally... though etiquette still seats the guest of honor facing the door.
Tall 卓 wood 木 — the TABLE.
一桌菜 'one table of dishes' — Chinese banquets are measured in whole tables, not courses.