Help me use my Sur La Table gift certificate?
January 5, 2010 8:54 AM Subscribe
I received a $100 Sur La Table gift certificate. How do I make the best use of it?
Basically I'm looking for items at Sur La Table that are particularly useful and/or attractive. They don't have to be unique to Sur La Table, but I'd prefer not to buy something that's widely available for less money elsewhere. I have a lot of kitchen items already (Food processor, KitchenAid mixer, pressure cooker, a great set of knives, a couple of nice LeCreuset dutch ovens).
I'm hoping to find some little useful things that I might like. I really love my microplane grater, and a set of measuring bowls like these.
I'd also be open to more decorative stuff like placemats, if they're particularly attractive.
Basically I'm looking for items at Sur La Table that are particularly useful and/or attractive. They don't have to be unique to Sur La Table, but I'd prefer not to buy something that's widely available for less money elsewhere. I have a lot of kitchen items already (Food processor, KitchenAid mixer, pressure cooker, a great set of knives, a couple of nice LeCreuset dutch ovens).
I'm hoping to find some little useful things that I might like. I really love my microplane grater, and a set of measuring bowls like these.
I'd also be open to more decorative stuff like placemats, if they're particularly attractive.
Seconding mandolin. I use mine often but it was something I wouldn't have bought for myself (it was a gift).
posted by cooker girl at 9:13 AM on January 5, 2010
posted by cooker girl at 9:13 AM on January 5, 2010
Just here to say that their cooking classes are generally excellent. At least at the one in Los Angeles.
posted by np312 at 9:15 AM on January 5, 2010
posted by np312 at 9:15 AM on January 5, 2010
Hmm I dropped by to say mandoline or le crueset but those seem to be covered.
I'm also a huge fan of the little prep bowls, not the mixing bowls but the little 1-2 cup size ones I use these a lot when prepping.
I keep asking for and not getting a two burner cast iron grill/griddle (grill on one side flat griddle on the other).
posted by bitdamaged at 9:27 AM on January 5, 2010
I'm also a huge fan of the little prep bowls, not the mixing bowls but the little 1-2 cup size ones I use these a lot when prepping.
I keep asking for and not getting a two burner cast iron grill/griddle (grill on one side flat griddle on the other).
posted by bitdamaged at 9:27 AM on January 5, 2010
Do you like coffee? Do you want to try making coffee with an enormous plastic syringe? Sur la Table is just about the only retailer that carries the awesome ~$30 aeropress (except Amazon and a few other online shops).
posted by kickingtheground at 9:32 AM on January 5, 2010
posted by kickingtheground at 9:32 AM on January 5, 2010
You might find a really useful and attractive peppermill there. The Sur La Table by me has a very extensive collection of white porcelain plates and bowls and what not. It might be the time to stock up on ramekins or little saucers for soy sauce or server platters. In my mind,you can never have enough ramekins. They are useful both for serving the end product as well as for prep containers.
posted by mmascolino at 9:40 AM on January 5, 2010
posted by mmascolino at 9:40 AM on January 5, 2010
peugeot pepper mill
large mortar & pestle
autographed copy of ad hoc at home
posted by sanko at 10:05 AM on January 5, 2010
large mortar & pestle
autographed copy of ad hoc at home
posted by sanko at 10:05 AM on January 5, 2010
Big metal mandolin is not, IMO, the best bang for your bucks (get a Benriner instead). Do you have enough prep bowls? I can never have enough of those. Do you own any silpats? So damn useful and worth every penny. Mise en place bowls? Salad bowl? Or maybe just fill in the blanks by getting a second ladle, another slotted spoon, an extra set of wooden utensils.
posted by Gilbert at 10:06 AM on January 5, 2010
posted by Gilbert at 10:06 AM on January 5, 2010
Microplane
OXO measuring cups. I wish I had two of the 4 tablespoon size.
Citrus juicers, at least the lemon size. You can get a cheap lime-sized one at any Mexican grocery.
posted by hydrophonic at 10:09 AM on January 5, 2010
OXO measuring cups. I wish I had two of the 4 tablespoon size.
Citrus juicers, at least the lemon size. You can get a cheap lime-sized one at any Mexican grocery.
posted by hydrophonic at 10:09 AM on January 5, 2010
Do you have a nice rice cooker? The somewhat more expensive ones are really worth it in terms of consistent quality and keeping the rice warm and delicious for long periods after cooking is finished.
posted by Cogito at 10:27 AM on January 5, 2010
posted by Cogito at 10:27 AM on January 5, 2010
Best answer: I'm working as seasonal help at SLT.
First off, do you have any claim to being a cooking professional or a student? That can get you a discount and make your gift card go a bit further. Also, the biggest sale of the year is going on now. And always check out the clearance section for random but often really good deals.
Here are a few of the pratical things I've bought in my time there:
* a silicone pastry brush (so nice to be able to clean it easily, not have to worry about it burning up, and not having to worry about the bristles falling out)
* prep bowls
* microplane
* stainless-steel mister for oil (I resisted one for a long time, but this thing produces a spray that is comparable to an aerosol and is fantastic for coating cookie sheets or bowls when you're working with dough)
* a really nice Thermos (a fantastic one to replace a long line of crappy ones)
on the slightly more ridiculous side, I've purchased:
* an ice cream bowl that is spotted like a cow and has four tiny udder-like legs (it was whimsy, ok?)
* a tiny, 3.5-inch cast iron Lodge skillet (this was like half the price it is on Amazon)
* a pancake/egg ring to place in the frying pan and make perfectly round pancakes/eggs
* a pineapple corer (sort-of gag gift for friend)
* an avocado scooper/masher (ditto)
I hope that gets you thinking.
posted by veggieboy at 10:40 AM on January 5, 2010
First off, do you have any claim to being a cooking professional or a student? That can get you a discount and make your gift card go a bit further. Also, the biggest sale of the year is going on now. And always check out the clearance section for random but often really good deals.
Here are a few of the pratical things I've bought in my time there:
* a silicone pastry brush (so nice to be able to clean it easily, not have to worry about it burning up, and not having to worry about the bristles falling out)
* prep bowls
* microplane
* stainless-steel mister for oil (I resisted one for a long time, but this thing produces a spray that is comparable to an aerosol and is fantastic for coating cookie sheets or bowls when you're working with dough)
* a really nice Thermos (a fantastic one to replace a long line of crappy ones)
on the slightly more ridiculous side, I've purchased:
* an ice cream bowl that is spotted like a cow and has four tiny udder-like legs (it was whimsy, ok?)
* a tiny, 3.5-inch cast iron Lodge skillet (this was like half the price it is on Amazon)
* a pancake/egg ring to place in the frying pan and make perfectly round pancakes/eggs
* a pineapple corer (sort-of gag gift for friend)
* an avocado scooper/masher (ditto)
I hope that gets you thinking.
posted by veggieboy at 10:40 AM on January 5, 2010
If you need a little gadget to top off your purchase, I recommend their cute little garlic chopper. I got one at Christmas and it's doing a great job so far (though I don't know about its longevity).
posted by MrMoonPie at 11:57 AM on January 5, 2010
posted by MrMoonPie at 11:57 AM on January 5, 2010
They offer knife sharpening.
posted by nenequesadilla at 12:10 PM on January 5, 2010
posted by nenequesadilla at 12:10 PM on January 5, 2010
seconding the Aeropress and OXO measuring cups. Both completely amazing.
Do you have an immersion blender? Do you make a lot of blended soups and/or other pureed things? I even use mine for smoothies, mixing together sorbet ingredients, anything. On that note, how about an ice cream maker? Dehydrator?
Here's their page on electric gifts under $100, if you're gadgety like me.
Dunno about you, but I wish I had one of these with herbs growing on it on my countertop.
posted by R a c h e l at 3:59 PM on January 5, 2010
Do you have an immersion blender? Do you make a lot of blended soups and/or other pureed things? I even use mine for smoothies, mixing together sorbet ingredients, anything. On that note, how about an ice cream maker? Dehydrator?
Here's their page on electric gifts under $100, if you're gadgety like me.
Dunno about you, but I wish I had one of these with herbs growing on it on my countertop.
posted by R a c h e l at 3:59 PM on January 5, 2010
Response by poster: Thanks, everyone.
I ended up buying an olive oil sprayer, some Oxo measuring cups, some pinch bowls, a silpat, and some nice cookie sheets and am happy with my choices.
posted by creepygirl at 12:21 PM on January 17, 2010
I ended up buying an olive oil sprayer, some Oxo measuring cups, some pinch bowls, a silpat, and some nice cookie sheets and am happy with my choices.
posted by creepygirl at 12:21 PM on January 17, 2010
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by kuujjuarapik at 9:05 AM on January 5, 2010