Round Skinny Grill

A quality indoor grill
Le Creuset manufactures porcelain enameled cast iron cooking vessels as well as other products. Le Creuset casts these cooking vessels from molten iron poured in sand moulds that are used only once. For this reason, one grill may look like another, but each is unique in its own way.

Cast iron is a highly efficient material which absorbs and distributes heat efficiently. It is recommended that cooking with cast iron be done on low to medium heat. Using this grill on high heat can cause poor results for your food as well as making cleaning more difficult. Removing cast iron from the heat does not cool it off quickly. This helps your food stay warm while serving. Beware; iron tends to be heavy so these cooking vessels tend to be heavy as well.

Cleaning the grills are not quite as easy as its enamel coated cooking surface cousins, but is not that difficult either with a good stiff nylon brush and proper heating technique. When cleaning; be sure to cool the grill...

Where have you been all my life??
I have owned lots of "nonstick" pans & stainless steel, BBQ grills, etc. None has been as easy to use as this (or so worth using!) & I use it almost every day. It isn't that hard to clean really. I use an oil sprayer to pre-oil it (I use macadamia nut oil because of the high smoke point/health reasons but Pam should be fine), then I preheat in on medium heat (I have a ceramic top stove, which doesn't heat as well as gas, but I NEVER have to go higher than low-med to med). Once it's hot (a water drop "pops" on the surface), I put my meat, chicken, or fish & DON'T touch it for at least 5 minutes. Once the food releases easily, THEN you can turn it. But DON'T TOUCH before then! Our oven was broken for 2 wks recently & we didn't miss it. The only thing you might miss an outdoor grill for is that "smoky" taste. Otherwise, this makes beef, pork, chicken, & fish better (juicy with a wonderfully seared, carmelized surface) than most restaurants & with less effort than driving there! All I...

best piece of cookware in my kitchen
This is by far my favorite and most used thing in my kitchen.... I am a pro chef as well as a mom.
I had noticed a review about it taking a while to season or keep from sticking --- all that I did to get it to a great cooking level was... make sure the heat is always high to medium high.... then used a small amount of oil to coat food-- best way to do that is to throw whatever you want to grill in a ziplock with a little olive oil and your seasonings.. when the grill is piping hot .. throw the food on and don't touch it until you are ready to flip. I bought a cow, pig and lamb at the auction .. so we grill a lot of meat... best things on here are thick cuts... rib eye... thick cut pork chops.. but asparagus turns out great too. And my kids love the precut chicken breast tender parts... like 2-3 minutes on each side. but make sure not to use soap when washing... only hot water to rinse it and then set it back on the stove to dry... the build-up is what makes the taste so great.

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Le Creuset 26CM Round Grill Cerise

Best steaks ever.
At the time I'm writing this, there are three reviews already.
One says it heats up quickly on medium or low heat. Um, no, it heats up pretty slowly, because it's a massive hunk of steel. Only 10 inches though, so you can't fit two T-bones on it, but it fits anywhere. The mass of this grill helps achieve outdoor BBQ style. It's a grill, not a griddle or frypan, so using it on medium heat is counterproductive. Throw it on a High flame for a few minutes before you try to cook. Yes, it will smoke. But you're trying to cook, not worry about air quality!

Another review says things stuck to it because it was not coated. Yes, it is. But things still stick to it because the cast iron surface under the coating was evidently pretty coarse. Oh, well. You don't scrub it with a sponge, you heat it up and plunge it under running water and the "deglazing" will lift off most of the gunk. Give it a scrub with a brush (no soap) and return it to the heat to dry. Total time about 45...

Love This Baby!
Used my grill for the first time tonight. Grilled two good size steaks and added onions and pepper towards the end of grilling. Everything turned out FABULOUS!!

Had no trouble cleaning the grill.

Heated grill for a few minutes on medium/low.

Waiting until drop of water did a little dance.

Turned steak when juices were lying on top/could feel muscle when pressing top/middle of steak. (Don't turn too soon)

Following the above "meat won't stick." After pan cooled for approximately 5 minutes I put water in pan. After soaking for 10 minutes it cleans beautifully with warm water and a nylon pot brush.

After using other grill pans this is a dream. Take the time to read the directions and you will be all set.

The Most Improved Home Grill Pan - Bravo!
I have been grilling on every possible type of grill pan from cast iron, coated and non-coated, aluminum, etc. All bad and all thrown out.

The LeCreuset "Cobalt Blue" round grill pan is the perfect size, shape, weight and the two "helper handles" are great. It cleans like a dream - no fuss, no mess! It heats up fast on a low to medium heat, no house full of smoke. Bravo to Le Creuset! Brilliant - I wouldn't be without it.

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Calphalon Commercial Nonstick 12-Inch Omelet Pan

The one essential pan for every kitchen!
This is the best nonstick pan in the world, and here's why:
1) The nonstick surface is superior to anything else you will ever use, and it's guaranteed forever. The Commercial line has the far better LRS3 nonstick material than the less expensive LRS material in the Calphalon Professional Nonstick II line. I have had both for several years and I can not recommend the Professional line because the surface becomes sticky over time, while the Commercial Nonstick surface is as slippery as the day I bought it.
2) The handle stays cool.
3) The pan is stunningly gorgeous, with its matte black anodized aluminum underside and its polished chrome handle.
4) You can even finish items in the oven at 350 degrees or so without damaging the nonstick surface...
5) The weight and balance of the pan are excellent; extremely sturdy yet not unwieldy.

One caveat: You can not put Calphalon products in the dishwasher. It will cause discolorations and pits, and void the warranty to...

best deal on the market
the calphalon pan is a tremendous deal. extremely well made
(and still made in toledo, ohio. some calphalon products are
being made in china) and with a cooking friendly geometry.
the nonstick is durable although it is recommended for non-metal utensils only. heating is even and easily controlled. breaded
meats come out with an even, crispy crust. sauteed veggies came
out well, and mushrooms were especially good, achieving a
browning that is not usually characteristic of nonsticks.

the nonstick surface cleans easily, but the hard anodised outer
surface is not so easily cleaned of burnt on oil. the only
negative i find is with the fancy sculpted handle. you can only
twist and turn the pan by holding the very end of the handle
so "two handing" it is of no advantage. calphalon's folded
steel handle on some of their other lines of products handle
more easily. at this sale price, nothing else comes close.

great performance for a great price!
I just bought this pan, but have so far been very impressed. It's heavy, well constructed, and heats very evenly. So far nothing has even come close to sticking to the non-stick coating, which also seems to be of a good quality thickness (unlike the cheaply made non-stick pans that you can ordinarily only get for this price). This doesn't impress as the type of pan that's going to be thrown out in a year.

I've been pleasantly surprized, since I've never been able to justify buying expensive non-stick cookware (since it doesn't seem to last), and have a habit of buying really cheap non-stick stuff with the intention of throwing it out every couple of years. I may have to change my non-stick philosophy if this pan lasts as well as I think it might.

Its a perfect size for a lot of different things. Its great for eggs, hashbrowns & bacon - you can easily fry 4 eggs at a time without them touching, and bacon strips fit completely flat on the bottom of the pan...no running...

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Cuisinart SF98-15 Chef's Classic Nonstick Stainless 15-Inch by 11-Inch Large Roaster with Domed Cover

Best Non Stick Roasting Pan I've Used
I bought this pan as a non-stick alternative to a Calphalon hard anodized pan. I wanted a non stick pan for easy cleanup when I did not require the traditional dark deglaze associated with a hard anodized pan (better than the clearer non stick deglaze IMHO).

I am completely satisfied with this pan. It is a great looking pan which I expect will be very durable. The entire non stick stainless line is very easy to clean and this pan is no exception. The steam vent on the top is a clever feature. The pan is oblong shaped and will fit into many sinks as a result. In a nutshell I'd say this is a brilliant design compared to my Calphalon roasting pans (which are fine pans as well).

If I could obtain hard anodized versions of this pan I consider buying them to replace my Calphalon roasting pans.

I am strongly considering buying the larger version of this Cuisinart Nonstick Stainless-Steel roasting pan (Cuisinart makes a larger size too) so I can use it for those rare occasions...

A great roaster with poor advertising!
First I would like to say that this roaster is very high quality. After receiving this as a wedding present, we immediately used it on a roast beef dinner and it performed well. The handles are comfortable, the fit and finish of the pan is very high quality, and the design and features are all excellent. Using the roasting rack provided resulted in a lot of beef juices left in the bottom of the pan. With a bit of stovetop thickening (which the brochure said was possible with this pan), the juices made a wonderful gravy. The non-stick qualities of the bottom were excellent. I hand washed the pan in about a minute with NO stuck-on food in the bottom!

My only complaint with this pan is in how it is marketed. Cuisinart makes both a "Large" and an "Extra-Large" roasting pan. Since the "Large" pan is supposed to be able to handle an 18 pound turkey, I chose this one. Now that I have it, I kind of wish that I had gone with the bigger...

" I am here to Say-HOW DID I BAKE BEFORE?
If it is possible to "love" a pan-This is the one! After using an old enamel pan (for 30 years-it finally rusted through) I saw this stainless beauty & bought it. How was it possible to cook before? This pan bakes "everything" evenly. I have used it to bake severeal loaves of bread at once, chicken, fish, meat, beans, etc. Whatever I put into this pan, comes out of the oven done to perfection. This pan cleans up easily and is very sturdy; I always hand wash my best pans and knifes-I do not know how well it will do in a dishwasher. Sincerely, Gail Benjamin

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Presto 07037 Jumbo Cool Touch Electric Griddle, Black

Easy to Use, Easy to Clean & Cooks Great!
I am extremely pleased with my purchase of the Presto 07034 Jumbo Cool Touch Electric Griddle. For a long time, I have used basic stovetop frying pans to cook such things as scrambled eggs, fried eggs, pancakes, French toast, hash browns and a variety of other grilled foods. Unfortunately, the typical frying pan usually isn't large enough to cook larger amounts, so you end up spending more time cooking smaller portions. Not so with the Presto 07034 Jumbo Cool Touch Electric Griddle. With its 10-1/2 by 20-1/2-inch cooking surface, it has twice as much cooking area than a typical stove-top circular frying pan and lack of sides makes turning cooking items much easier. Its non-stick surface ensures that food doesn't get stuck while cooking and makes cleaning the grill a snap! Also, it cooks foods more evenly than my stovetop frying pans ever did!

Overall, I rate the Presto 07034 Jumbo Cool Touch Electric Griddle with a resounding 5 out of 5 stars and highly recommend it...

Perfect Griddle
I bought this griddle because I have a very small stove. I never seen to have enough burners. I only have room for one large fry pan and when you are making eggs and pancakes you have to wait for one to finish before you can cook the other. Breakfast can sometimes take until lunch to make. It's nice too that we can make four grilled cheese sandwiches at once that way the kids eat at the same time. I also like the fact that it has a fat collector that is easy to remove and clean. Since we bought this I have cooked something on it every day. I leave it right on my counter because I use it so much. I would recommend this to everyone.

What's Not To Like?
You would think it would be easy to make a decision about such a mundane item, but when you're faced with dozens of choices and not much time to compare prices, you need to know what's the best deal for your money.

I purchased this griddle in May of 2006 and have been VERY satisfied with it. Like other reviewers pointed out, it has a huge cooking surface, the temperature control unit works accurately and it's economical and convenient to use. There is a handy drip pan to catch bacon grease, pancake batter and the like. Oh yes, and it's easy to clean -- a big bonus in my book. This is probably the sixth griddle I've owned over the years, but so far, it's the best and is a real bargain for the price. A can't miss item.

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New Vision by Lane Mountain Hutch for Desk, Pine

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KitchenAid KSM150PSCB Artisan Series 5-Quart Mixer, Cranberry

How did I make it this long without this thing?
All I have to say is WOW! This is an awesome product! I have used it numerous times and can't believe how well it mixes no matter what I throw in the bowl. I am not a serious chef, this fits my life well. The only complaint that I have about it is that the "Cranberry" color isn't really cranberry... it's more like hot pink which REALLY stands out in my kitchen. I decided to keep this color, however, because I think that it is cool and adds a little funky to an otherwise pretty normal kitchen. I can't believe that I made it this long without this and wish I had bought a couple for Christmas presents when the price was so right. $199.99 plus free shipping and $25.00 off for promotional purposes! It ended up costing me $174.99, how in the world could you beat that? Target and Bed, Bath & Beyond have it listed as $269.99. I am so overjoyed with this mixer and have nothing but good things to say about it and Amazon. I received the mixer 2 days after I ordered it! WOW!

THIS MIXER IS AWESOME!
I got this as an anniversary present last year - I had wanted the red, to match my ALL red, white & blue house, but my dear sweet husband bought me the cranberry (hot pink) version. Let me tell you, this mixer is so awesome, I am redecorating my house to match it (My husband is so pleased, lol!). I love it, I don't know what I ever did without it. Cookies, cakes, mashed taters, everything! And it is so easy to clean, even without a dishwasher! I haven't used my hand mixer in 6 months!

If you need a mixer, this is the one!!
I have had mine for twenty-three years without a days worth of trouble. Unless you go to a commercial size mixer this is the best. And KitchenAid makes most of the commercial ones, too.

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Riedel Sommeliers Montrachet/Chardonnay, Single Stem

Yes, they're thin!
Some of the reviews of various Riedel Sommeliers series wine glasses are correct in commenting on their relative fragility, but the criticism isn't really deserved. First, these are handblown crystal--no two are alike, and yes,this does mean some glasses may be even thinner than others. And the Riedel Montrachet glasses are probably their thinnest. But "thinness" in a wine glass is a virtue and, for that matter, much more difficult and expensive to make than a thick glass. I won't take up your time with a long explanation here of why thinness is an essential quality in a wineglass, but the short of it is that it makes the wine taste better! The Riedel company did at one time have a very nice essay on the subject--it's probably still available on their website and it's worth reading.

Meanwhile, let me say this: Bad things happen in shipment, true, but the last glasses I ordered from Amazon came in beautiful Riedel shipping tubes that were, themselves, packed within an...

A beautiful piece of work.
Yes, they are elegant and can be broken relatively easily, if you are not careful. So be careful! If you have to drive nails with your crystal stemware, use a Waterford hock. (Which I truly love, as well)

The Riedel Sommeliers are pefect for a really nice chardonnay be it a Latour Corton Charlemagne or a Paul Hobbs Cuvee Agustina; a Jadot Le Montrachet or Peter Michael Belle Cote. Cheers.

Three of eight still unchipped and perfect after five years!
Yes, Riedel Sommeliers Glasses are very thin and seemingly fragile. However, we purchased 8 glasses in 2003 (not from Amazon, unfortunately) and until last week had five left. Then, I turned into a clutz and broke one in the sink -- hand wash, always hold on to the bowl of the glass -- and even being careful, I broke one. Then, I knocked one off the counter -- even my canning jars would not have withstood the trip to the floor. I do not remember how the first three glasses were broken -- the breakage happened in their first year in our possession -- long time gone.
Now, here's the proof of the pudding -- we love the shape of the Montrachet/Chard glass and use our glasses 365 days per year for what ever wine we are drinking. Yes, wine for dinner every night, in glasses we love to touch! We have no other wine glasses -- and having gotten below dinner for four -- I started to shop. I read the reviews and decided someone should attest to the durability of these glasses.
We use...

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Cuisinart WM-PZ2 Pizzelle Press

Perfect Pizzelles!
This is exactly what I was looking for. It works great and I was making perfect pizzelles in no time at all. I pulled it out of the box, mixed up some batter with the including instruction book and I had pizzelles! They tasted great! The iron heated up quickly and held the temperature constant throughout. The instruction book has recipes for regular vanilla pizzelles and anise ones as well as a chocolate version and another fancier one. I only tried the basic one so far because that what we like but the recipe is easy to follow. I just dumped all the ingredients together and a baking I was. This product was everything I expected and more. You can only make 2 at a time but they go so quickly I had dozens made in no time at all. I was worried when I bought this since it was the cheapest one Amazon had but I didn't want to spend the extra money and I'm glad I didn't. This is a really great product and I can't think of anything I didn't like about it.

Cuisinart Pizzelle Press
Perfect Pizzelles! This is a great pizzelle maker and you can't beat the price. It heats quickly and evenly, the nonstick surface is easy to clean and you can store it upright to save space. It also has several settings so you can make them lighter or darker. The nonstick surface is great, all you really need is a quick wipe with a wet paper towel, I am a maniac about cleaning so I also like to use a toothbrush to clean all the nooks and crannies in the press. Although it doesn't have an indicator tone, you can hear a soft click when the light is turning from green to red so you can multi task. The instruction book comes with several traditional recipes that you can mix up in minutes. Perfect for holidays or anytime you want a quick treat. Anise, vanilla and almond are my favorites, I have not tried it yet but I was thinking of making a batch with banana extract, I imagine you could pretty much use any extract. Highly recommended!

Cuisinart Pizzelle Press
I was very excited to receive my pizzelle press because it had taken about a month to receive it (holiday time), but when I did I absolutely loved using it. However, after the third time the little plastic latch that holds the press together when baking just broke off. So, now I have to kind of hold the handles tight while baking and it's a real pain. The press is made very well, but I can't figure why they would put such a chintzy plastic latch on it. We all know that chintzy plastic will eventually break. I don't think anything was said in the ad about the plastic latch, and I intend to contact Cuisinart about the problem.

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Le Creuset Enameled Cast-Iron 4-1/4-Quart Soup Pot with Cover, Red

Well Worth the cost
Ok, so this pot is really two tools in one: A Great piece of cookware and a piece of exercise equipment. Lordy, it weighs a TON.
Ok so how does it cook? Very Well: Very even heat, no hot spots to burn your chowder, it will hold a simmer and come to a quick boil. It has a tight fitting lid that really seals in the heat. It is oven safe and the slopped sides make it easy to stir ingredients in to the broth without loosing them in a corner.

Easy to clean, well, really, VERY easy to clean. And I LOVE the red color. I find NOTHING other than cost and weight to criticize but let us face it: one gets what one pays for and this is a lifetime pot, your lifetime, your kid's lifetime, you r grandkids lifetime. Moreover, considering it is a pot and a Nautilus in one.......

Better Than Your Mom's Old Soup Pot
First let me say that I would not have bought this kind of high-end cookware had Amazon not made me an offer I couldn't refuse. I actually bought this on a whim thinking that if it wasn't anything special, then it goes into the church rummage sale.
The maiden voyage dish was a pot roast with vegetables. Okay, so it wasn't soup, but what a great roast. I browned the meat as usual, drained the fat, added the veggies and liquid. The whole thing went into the oven, cover and all. I served the meal from the stylish pot with rave reviews on all the components. Since then I have made soups and stews. It really holds up to slow stove-top cooking also.
Clean up? The enamel coating makes everything slide off with hot soapy water and a little nylon scubby. What more could you ask for? Okay, someone to come and actually do the cooking and clean up. But if you don't have the luxury of a personal chef, get this pot. I actually think of it as a potential heirloom to be passed...

Just the right size!!
This is a wonderful all-purpose pot. I use it for a multitude of purposes:

1. Making sauces for pastas and then adding the pasta to the sauce and tossing. The curved sides make it perfect for the quick and easy blending of shrimp scampi with lemon spaghetti for example.

2. Stir-fry. The sloping sides and great heat retention make stir-fry a natural.

3. Casseroles - Easy clean up and a comfortable size make this a wonderful casserole pot.

4. Reheating - the large surface area makes this the pot to go to when reheating almost any main course - lamb shanks come to mind immediately.

I find that I use this pot for almost everything except soup. For soup I turn to my handy 5-

Riedel Sommeliers Series Chablis-Chardonnay Glass, Packed in a Gift Tube

Answer to the alex's question.
One (Single Stem). These are fantastic stemware they lack the seam that is visable on the Vinum glasses. They make perfect gifts for a wine lover friend.

A bit too fragile
The glass looks great. But as I held it in my hand, and believe me please, gently dried the inside with a paper towel, the stem snapped in my fingers. I can't tell you just how little pressure was applied and now that's $60 bucks down the tubes after only 2 glasses of wine!

Hard to clean without dish washer
It is super delicate and takes a lot of finess to clean. You really need a microfiber cloth and a source of steam.

I would suggest just to use the dish washer. If you don't have a dish washer, then don't buy it.

Quality-wise, it's amazing. It's really fun to drink out of, and it make a nice sound when you cling it.

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LE CREUSET Enameled Cast Iron 4-1/4 Quart Soup Pot Blue

If you only buy one "good" pot, buy this one.
This pot is wide enough to roast a four pound chicken, deep enough to make a standard casserole recipe, and heavy enough to make perfect rice for five people. The rounded bottom is just right for sweating onions and peppers. The tapered sides reduce soup and sauces quickly. The enamel coating soaks clean without scrubbing - even baked on pan juices. I've even served salad in it.

Like other Le Creuset pots, this can't be used for deep fat frying (very high temperatures will trash the enamel). So you'll have to settle for it doing everything else.

Great for under $... may be big enough for you
I started with the 2-5/8 quart soup pot before this size was available, and it is just too small even when making soup for two. It is now relegated to sauce duty, something for which the design is not particularly well-suited. What this design is wonderfully suited for is establishing "stirring" currents in the liquid as you cook. (Obviously, it doesn't work with chili or a heavy cream-type soup.)

If you're cooking for anything less then 8 people this size should suffice. As with all LeCreuset the quality is top of the line. If you are hoping to make soup for the extended family then you'll have to up to the the 7+ quart version. A friend of mine got it for a very reasonable price, also here at Amazon. However, be warned that it is much larger and much heavier than this model. (We refer to it as the "Herniator")

Poor Quality Inspection by Le Creuset
I've ordered and returned the Le Creuset 4 1/2 Qt. Soup Pot with Cover, Blue twice. Both pieces had flaws in the finish. The first piece had numerous pits in the finish and the second piece had red speckles on the lid as well as several pits in the finish too.
There is definitely a problem with the finishing process at the Le Creuset factory! Must be a lack of final / quality inspection by Le Creuset.
When I bought the second piece I also received the Le Creuset Poterie 16-Ounce Covered Soup Bowls, Set of 2, Blue. They also had a problem with their finish.
I'm starting to believe that the units sent to Amazon by Le Creuset must be factory seconds. The type of product you would normally find at TJ Max, Home Goods, Marshall's, etc.
All I can say is, "Buyer beware of the poor quality of this product! At least in Blue!"

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Riedel Sommeliers Bordeaux Grand Cru, Single Stem

Wonderful, but depends on how much you like wine.
I own a modest set (8 different stems) of Sommelier glasses for my own tasting purposes, and believe that they are worth every penny to me, personally. The quality of the Sommelier stems cannot be emphasized enough - even over the Vinum series.

They are, in every way, extremely delicate. Very thin walls, thin stems, and beautiful craftsmanship. As long as you are careful with them, they will bring your fine wines into a completely new light. They will allow you to intimately taste the wine in perfect balance.

But if you are not a serious wine drinker, stick with the Vinum series. The Vinum series is more than enough. I go to weekly wine tastings at my local wine shop where they serve the wine in cheap ($1 ... maybe) glasses that actually mask the wine's flavors and bring out the harsh qualities while supressing any smells or tastes that would actually allow you to evaluate the wine properly. I started to bring a basic Vinum glass, and the difference was unbelievable...

Great for medium-big reds!
Riedel crystal wine glasses are some of the best you can buy. They are specially designed for drinking wine... Riedel makes many different shapes of crystal glasses for different wine vareitals. If you only buy one type of high-end glass for your red wine, however, this one is a great choice. As part of the Sommelier line, it is oversized, so it really opens up the wine for a fuller nose and body. Not meant for whites, or weak, light wines - use a smaller, tighter glass for that. I use this glass for bordeaux, of course... cabernet, merlot, barolo and occasionally also for pinot noir, sangiovese, a big chianti, or super tuscan. The taste of the wine in this glass is distinctly different compared to other glasses (crystal and glass) that we own and have used.

I had ordered this glass to replace one that had broken. Though these glasses are incredibly well made and not 'thin' and 'delicate' as some can be, they are still fragile and should be handled and washed with utmost...

Very Special Glassware
If you can afford to splurge on a Riedel Sommelier series glass you will never regret it. You simply can't believe how much difference a great glass can make, even on "everyday" wines. IMHO, the Zinfandel Sommelier glass is a good all around shape for the price; the Bordeaux and Burgundy ballon are bigger and therefore better because they have more internal surface area, but they cost more and there super-size makes them somewhat impractical.

Because the crystal is delicate and thin, these clearly are not for the dishwasher and must be handwashed. Be aware also that the Sommelier stems separate from the bowl rather easily if you twist the stem while drying the glass with a towel, which is quite a natural movement. But aside from that issue,which applies to many brands of hand blown crystal these are very special in every way.

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KitchenAid KSM150PSGP Artisan Series 5-Quart Mixer, Grape

Great Mixer - Great Colors!
I've always had a KitchenAid mixer - my mother passed a PINK one down to me...that might tell you how old it is....so, when I saw the beautiful colors offered in this mixer, I just had to buy one. I chose the GRAPE and I am not disappointed - I had to find a place for it in my kitchen...I couldn't hide this one away! It mixes like a dream - the white paddle is such an improvement from just the old whip beater. Now I can mix everything - many things that are too thick and that I had to mix by hand before. Plus the BEST price is on Amazon - with the rebate offered by KitchenAid, no tax, no shipping, plus I also got the $25 off special offer from Amazon (if purchasing at least $125 in Kitchen and Housewares)! Can't beat that deal!

Claire is the best thing I ever bought
One of my favorite and first memories is helping my grandmother in the kitchen, using the mixer. Unfortunately, she passed away when I was very young and who knows what happened to the mixer... I wanted one of these my whole life, and after much debating I finally got it a couple of years ago. Paid for next day shipping, and I took the day off work so I would be home when this came, I almost cried tears of joy when I opened the box. I love this thing, it is the best!! I am so happy with it, I even named it. (Hey, guys can name their cars....) Lives up to my expectations and beyond. Bread dough is a snap with this, beats the fluffiest egg whites... I plan on getting the attachments for sausage and pasta. If you aren't sure to get this, go for it! You won't be disappointed!

Keep the Kids Happy
With two kids in the house it was time to upgrade from the $99 mixer and had our eye on this. With the color choices it was a no brainer. For us it was Grape....at first (having a brown kitchen) would that look...perfect!!!

I like the fact that it is so fast to make cupcakes, bread, pasta, cakes, cookies, anything for the kids. They love having treats and I actually get more time to do things with my wife.

This is a must have for any kitchen if you are doing baking. Stop wasting time and step up to the best...enjoy baking!!!

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Caleca Frutta 16-Piece Dinnerware Set, Service for 4

delicious!
very very nice dinnerware. large mugs, large plate and good size (not too small not too large) "small plates". The "soup" plates are kinda not that deep as I am used too. Looks delicious on the table with very nice colors and water-mouthing fruits.

Dishes
Would have given 5 stars..very pretty but they are NOT porcelain as described on manufacturer's website. They are Stoneware and will probably chip as stoneware does. Porcelain is the most durable material and that is the main reason I purchased this set.



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Caleca Margherita 16-Piece Dinnerware Set, Service for 4

stronger than you think....
I bought my Caleca in Italy, and actually carried it home in a suitcase. It survived. The one of the pieces we shipped home arrived broken, but that's not bad considering we bought serving pieces as well as dinnerware. They wash up great, go from fridge to microwave wonderfully. Love this stuff...just wish I had more storage space so I could get more.





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Riedel Sommeliers Burgundy Grand Cru, Single Stem

terrific wine glass for the serious wine drinker
this is the top of the line when it comes to wine glasses. it's the perfect gift for someone who loves wine, especially complex red wines.

there is a smaller version (the mini) but i recommend this slightly larger version due to both its aesthetic appeal and its functionality. it is the way that good red wines were meant to be enjoyed.

Not the same as they used to be
I have 2 of these glasses that I had purchased about 3 years ago. They are amazing, nice big size, well crafted by hand and just wonderful. Believe the hype - they make enjoying good wine that much better.

I decided to order another one to have as a back up as they are fragile. It arrived in the traditional Riedel packaging, but the glass is now smaller than my previous models and seems a bit off. It is noticeable when you compare to the exact same model I purchased before. The crystal also seems to off in quality, it does not have the same feel and sparkle as my previous models. It is still a nice glass - but at this price, I expect the high quality that I had obtained previously.

The Best Wine glass for the Best taste!
Contrary to popular belief- we really "taste" with our noses and not with our tongues. Tasting involves the tongue to a very minor extent (taste buds only detect sweet, sour, bitter, and salty). All the other favors or sensations are detected by the nose--the only time most people notice this is when they have a bad cold and stuffy nose--then nothing "taste" good.

Therefore- you want a wine glass that can let the aroma linger, so you can get a good whiff.

In addition the thickness and curvature of the glass somehow alters your "taste" ... I'm not sure why ... but I think many people would agree that some drinks taste better out of the bottle under certain situations...like soda or beer on a hot day.

Therefore- you want a wine glass that is thin and has a curvature that you like. Unfortunately, a thin handsome wine glass is also easy to break. I have already broken a few...one an expensive Riedel Champagne glass.

In conclusion: This is my...

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Anolon Advanced Hard Anodized Nonstick 12-Inch, 5-Quart Covered Saute Pan

Apple of my Eye - Star of my Kitchen
This pan was worth every cent. I like to cook in quantity and put up "planned overs" for later in the week, and in the last six years have been through a number of non-stick pans including Circulon (ugh - stay far away), Calphalon (OK for the first few months), and T-Fal (used to like but no longer).

I kept glancing at the 10" open French Anolon pan I'd bought at Amazon 10 years ago, which is still going strong. The old Anolon admittedly has some discoloration and "seasoning" at this point, but 10 years for a nonstick is nothing to snear at. So I went for this Big Baby.

And love it! This is my go-to pan, even though it's labeled as a saute, I make everything from stews to pasta sauces to chili in it. It's great for stir-frying loads of veggies, and you can whip up healthy fried rice concoctions with leftover brown rice and freshly sliced veggies with an egg or two scrambled in. Speaking of eggs, for brunches I beat together some eggs and eggwhites, then...

This is the cookware you've been waiting for!
I bought this about 4 months ago and use it several times per week. Even though I cook a lot, I am not usually one to shell out over $100 on a single pan. This was totally worth it! This one is a keeper. Truly non-stick, easy to clean, larger size can accommodate a big meal! It is heavy, but this helps with even heating (and heat retention). Looks and feels very well-made, should provide one with a lifetime of culinary delights. We're getting to be good friends, this pan and I. Bon appetit!

UPDATE: Over 2 years later (May 2011) and the pan and I are like BFFs. Still cooking delightful meals, accommodating both small and surprisingly large portions, non-stick in-tact. I stand behind my previous review. Add this to your cookware arsenal and you will not be disappointed.

Professional Grade & Quality
This is a great non stick pan that has a lot of great features like see thru glass cover, non-stick surface, non slip handles and is also oven safe to 400 degrees. This pan is very thick which is great for even cooking , the 12" diameter is great on our 12" radiant glass top stove. This pan is also the easiest to clean. ~MET

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Wusthof Classic 18-Piece Mini-Mega Block Set

Great set, but Gourmet steak knives
This is a great set of Wusthof Classic knives. It seems to have pretty much whatever you might need in the kitchen and then some. I purchased this set because I wouldn't be wasting lots of money on knives I didn't need by combining other sets or spending more purchasing them all separately, but mainly because it came with 8 steak knives and a block large enough to hold 8 rather than 6 steak knives.

Be aware though, that while the large knives are all Wusthof Classic knives, the steak knives are Wusthof Gourmet. Not the same quality, and I think the description is somewhat misleading since the title of the collection is "Wusthof Classic". That implies that everything in the set is Classic. It is not.

That said, at this price I can't say I am surprised. Eight Classic steak knives would definitely cost more combined with the larger knives in this set.

Still a good buy as long as you know what you're getting.

So sharp!
Wusthof knives are incredible. You won't realize how dull your current knives are until you put one of these knives in your hands. Cuts through almost all foods like a hot knife through butter! These knives are well weighted and feel perfect in my hands. They cut chicken with the greatest of ease (you can actually just pull the knife through a chicken breast, no need for sawing motion at all...unbelievable!).

This set is great because you get a 10 piece Wusthof classic set, which are heavy weighted super quality knives, but then you get 8 steak knives from their Gourmet line of knives. The Gourmet are good quality, but not quite a good as the classics. However, for steak knives, I feel you don't need the 5 star knives, the 4 star will do just fine since you're only eating with them, not preparing food (and they're very sharp and high quality too!). Both styles of knives have the 3 rivet look and are full tang, so even though they're not the same line, they look very...

Wusthof Classic 18-Piece Set
The big question when investing in a quality set of knives is Wusthof or Henckels. Both are superior knives but when it came down to the very small details, we opted to go with Wusthof.

While the Classic line is one of Wusthof's more affordable lines, I like the feel and look of these knives better than the Grand Prix and Culinar. The 3 rivet design, in my opinion, feels and looks more durable and solid despite the more ergonomic or comfortable knives found in the Grand Prix and Culinar lines.

The advantage of going with the larger knife set was savings and the larger wood knife block. The 18-piece set gives you up to 25 slots! This set comes with 8 steak knives that fit within the same wood block. The smaller sets have room for only 6 steak knives or in some cases, none. The larger block can also accomodate a cleaver if you wish.

Any way you go, Wusthof or Henckels, Classic, Grand Prix or Culinar you can't go wrong.

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Anolon Advanced Hard Anodized Nonstick 2-Quart Covered Saucepan

Excellent pans even better service
My wife and I received the pans in this set for our wedding over 3 years ago. They have been excellent despite very heavy use from us. The non-stick still doesn't stick and there is almost no discoloration. They are very easy to clean because the entire pan is non-stick, not just the inside. The silicon on the handle does an excellent job of protecting your hand from being burnt even at high temperatures.

The only problem we've had is that on a few of the pans the silicon part of the handle came loose. I submitted a request to their customer service department on the web and had brand new pans within a week at no cost to me.

Easy hot cereal clean-up
Hot oatmeal can stick to the sides of some pans like concrete. The Anolon 1 1/2 quart saucepan is perfect for two people and is extremely easy to clean. The glass lid allows me to view the erupting oatmeal and turn down the heat before the stove is covered with oatmeal lava.

The Anolon Saucepan is great
The Anolon 2-quart covered saucepan is great. I love the rubber handle on the saucepan and on the top. It keeps each from getting really hot. I also love the glass top. It enables you to see the sauces, soups, rice, etc. as they are cooking. The product itself was sent quickly.

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Wusthof Culinar 2-Piece Asian Cook's Set

Love these knives, my go-to knives everyday
These are great knives. I use these two everytime I am preparing a meal. I've owned them for almost five years now. I bought a generic honing steel and a few passes each week and the blades have stayed sharp longer than anything I've ever owned. The gaps on the side of the blade really do seem to stop slices from stickign so much to the blade. Still happens some, especially with something like a tomato.

Some people have asked me if they are slippery with wet hands, being all metal and the answer is not at all. The brushed handles are textured and they never feel loose or slippery even when my hands are wet from washing stuff or handling meats.

The little W logo is attached by glue and that came off. Other than that, they've been flawless. I've even thrown them in the dishwasher once in a lazy while. I think the heat from the dishwasher is what unglued the logo.

The brushed steel look is just very classy and not ultra-modern-although it wood fit well...





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Riedel Ouverture Spirits Glass, Set of 4

Good price, very elegant design
I'm glad I found this line of stemware. It might not be lead crystal, but it looks great and feels great, and with the price and being dishwasher safe, I feel I got a great deal.

Good Single Malt Scotch Nosing Glassware
I purchased these for Single Malt Scotch Whisky nosing/tasting.

Pros: Tulip shape works well to gather aromas. Clarity is good, allowing you to evaluate color. Easy to clean, and dishwasher safe. No lead used in manufacturing.

Cons: Stem could be shorter and the base of the bowl could be wider. Narrow lip makes tasting a bit awkward.

Overall: Great for nosing, tasting is ok. Good price and quality, but not the perfect nosing/tasting glass.



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Anolon Advanced Hard Anodized Nonstick 10-Inch Skillet

Great Little Skillet
I am a semi-professional chef, cooking a variety of gourmet meals at least 4 nights a week, so having the right kitchen pans is vitally important. I found this little Analon quite by accident, and now use it virtually every day for sauces, for single omelettes, and for anything that doesn't require a lot of volume/space. Non-stick works just as advertised, so you can't go wrong. I now own 3 of them, and they get used all the time.

Good Pan
I don't like non-stick. It's not as versatile as good 3-ply stainless steel and it doesn't last anywhere near as long. That said, I do like egg dishes and in the summer I like dishes w/ a lighter mouth-feel (not as much oil). So I set out for the best non-stick pan.

I got a 12-inch pan because I've had 10 inch and 8 inch pans in the past and they get crowded very easily. Secondly, I wanted a pan w/ a riveted handle and a decent high temp oven performance. Also, I believe the true mark of a nonstick pan is the 'flip' performance-- so, NO HELPER HANDLE IS THE WAY TO GO! That's just my opinion. I eventually narrowed by search to 3 brands: Caphalon, All Clad, and Analon. Caphalon because they had some interesting non-stick options, All Clad because it's just the best, and Analon because I currently use their stainless set and for the last 2 years I've been very happy.

So All Clad was knocked out of contention quickly for the simple reason that ALL NON-STICK PANS...

Outstanding!!
This 8" open skillet is heavier than the 'commercial' Calphalon 12" covered pan, 10" open crepe pan and 2 1/2 Qt covered sauce pan (made in China). (It would be nice if Amazon identified the country of origin of all its cookware.) The easy-grip handle is great. I have ordered 2 more as gifts. Every kitchen should have at least 2 of these!

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Wusthof Grand Prix 10-Piece Knife Set with Block

Why did I wait so long?
I never understood what my brother-in-law was complaining about when he used my previous knives until I purchased this Wusthof set. What took me so long? These knives are a dream and well worth the investment. I am not a professional chef but anyone who cooks at all deserves to have the pleasure of using knives like these. I will most definitely round out my set. Struggling with inadequate knives are in my past.

Very Comfortable Knives!
This is a fabulous set of knives! They are well-balanced and the ergonomic handles are very comfortable for both my husband and me to use. We considered the Classic set, but in a hands-on comparison, we favored the feel of this handle. The blades are exactly the same between the Classic and the Grand Prix, so get your hands on some and let personal preference decide which line is right for you.

Excellent Knives
After using a set of Henckels that I gave the folks, I found that my Gerber knives were too thick and didn't cut nearly as easily. Then I started researching the differences between the two top brands, Wusthof and Henckels. The knives are both nearly perfect in balance and cutting ability. The main differences are in the handle preference and finish. The Wusthof have excellent finishing, with no observed flaws. The handle design on the Classic Henckels isn't as refined as that of the classic Wusthof. The Grand Prix knives are razor sharp, wonderfully crafted, beautiful, and a real pleasure to use. They are pricey, but well worth it!

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Wusthof Classic 2-Piece Asian Santoku and Paring Knife Set

Super-thin slicing knives
These Santoku knives have the fantastic Kullenschliff, also called the Granton, edge for extremely finely-honed thin slicing. They slice quickly into whatever width you want, from slivers to less thin pieces, with only a modicum of practice. The sharp flat cutting edge, safely lower than the handle, makes for an easy, comfortable grip. These knives have multiple uses--not just slicing for Asian-style food, nor, for that matter, just for thin slicing. One can chop, dice, or slice safely and quickly with these finely made instruments. I have a large collection of Wusthof knives, but this style is one of my favorites and most frequently used.

Love 'em!
I guess I write a lot of enthusiastic reviews, but I generally feel motivated by fine products - and these knives are among them.

I have a set of the Classic knives, but the one I use the most is the santoku chef's knife. I just prefer it to the "normal" chef's knives with the "French curve." So when this set popped up in my Gold Box, I jumped!

They feel sturdy but not heavy in the hand, and the hollows along the edge really do release the food more easily than the straight-edged ones. The paring knife is more cute than anything else. The santoku shape really doesn't add to its functionality, although it is a nice little paring knife.

Keep this set close at-hand, because you'll find yourself reaching for them all the time, as I do.

my favorite
Great knife set. You can chop just like Rachael does, which is why I bought this knife. My only complaint is that the tip has bent slightly and will break if I attempt to straighten.

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Wusthof Classic 10-Piece Knife Block Set

Great Knives, Try Them Out Before You Buy Though
I recently purchased the Wustof Classic set after much research between the various Wustof, Henkel and Messermeister models. In general, I felt the Wustof's had a much nicer feel and balance to them. I also prefered the blade weight and thickness of the Wustof. I personally prefer the Classic over the Grand Prix, but it is 100% personal preference as the only real difference is the handles.

I compared the Wustof's with the other brands at one of the knife stores in the mall. Comparing them side-by-side was very enlightening and made my mind up that I will only buy the Wustof's from now on. I highly recomend going to one of the mall knife shops and playing with them, most have a wide selection of all of the high quality knives. For this kind of money it is the only wise way to make your decision. I would recomend purchasing from Amazon.com though, the knife stores I went to were about 25% more expensive unless they had a "sale" on a specific item, in which case it was the...

You'll never buy another set of knives!
My husband and I received this knife set for our wedding to replace a cheap set we've had since college. My husband is more of a cook than I am, so I was skeptical when he decided to add the knives to our registry because I thought the old ones were good enough.

Boy, was I pleasantly surprised when I started chopping vegetables and slicing through meat! The balance of these knives is incredible, and it's such a nice change to let the knives do all of the work of cutting instead of having to hack my way through my food. Cooking has actually become enjoyable to me since prepping food is no longer a chore. We've had the set for seven weeks now, and even with daily use we haven't needed to sharpen any of the knives yet.

Out of all of the knives in the block, The ones that see the most use are the 8 inch cook's knife and the 6 inch sandwich knife, although they all get used. We also decided to purchase other knives to fill the block; a 7 inch santoku knife and a...

The best knives you can buy
It might seem like a lot to spend for a set of knives, especially with the infomercials that show people sawing bricks in half with their product, then micro cutting a tomato all for $19.95. But this is a lifetime purchase. The knives are balanced and have a great weight and feel in your hands. A quick honing with the steel each use and they stay frighteningly sharp. Like everything else, if you have the right tools, the job is infinitely easier, safer and more pleasurable. I've had my set for over a year and they seem as new as the day they arrived. One note of practicality is that I don't really need all the knives in the set and regularly use only four. If really pressed or confined in a budget you could get along nicely with just two; the 8 inch cooks knife and the 3 1/2 inch paring knife, and of course a steel. Don't be tempted to put them in the dish washer. They clean very easily with a soapy sponge. Intense heat will change the steel in the blade and can be nicked and...

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J.A. Henckels Twin Pro-S 5-Piece Gift Set

The knife lover's dream steak knife!
The first time we used them, we cut the ribeyes with this set fresh off the grill and everyone commented how wonderful the knife felt in our hands. The balance of the knife as well as the ease of use and the quality of the incision made us feel like skilled surgeons. Lately, I grill steaks just to have an excuse to use them! The presentation case is impressive to guests and they serve as a safe place to preserve their edges, tips and overall beauty. I bought them on amazon.com and was very pleased with the product for the price paid. I will probably purchase a second set so that I have service for eight.

Great starting set with block
I like this set of knives. I got this set since it had the larger block which allows me to easily add additional knives easily. I've had them for over a year now and they are still as sharp as when i got them (haven't needed to sharpen yet).

My biggest gripe is the silly sticker on the knife handles. I have been carefully hand washing the knives and the sticker starts to get gummy and peeling off after about a month. Seems very tacky and low quality to put a sticker like this on a quality knife. I had to take off 1 whole star for this. But if this doesn't bother you as much as it does me then consider this a 5 star review :)

Quality knives
These knives are really good. I ended up adding them to an assortment of others I use regularly. The block was a disappointment (lightweight and a poor finish) and I discarded it for one I was already using.

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All-Clad 59905 Stainless Steel Dishwasher Safe 3.75-Quart Asparagus Pot with Steamer Basket Cookware, Silver

good, but flawed
cooking asparagus upright in a narrow, tall pot is ideal. it allows the tougher bottom portion of the asparagus to boil in water, while the rest of it steams. (my mother used to use an old small coffee tin with the bottom cut out for this purpose). as with the other all-clad pots i own, this one seems to be very well-made, though it has an aluminum disc at the bottom and is not made using their three-ply construction with the aluminum sandwich going all the way up the sides. this is probably unnecessary and helps keep the price down.

however i do have one big problem with this steamer: the basket. the steel rings that encircle the basket are placed too far apart, which is especially a problem at the bottom because the asparagus stalks tend to slide out between the rings. this makes the steamer quite difficult to "load." more rings, closer together would greatly help - or, better yet, a basket of strong mesh (like that found in their 12- quart multipot) would be much better...

This will last a lifetime
Cooking asparagus is a pain, since few pots in our (otherwise well-equipped) household can handle it. Either you lie down the asparagus in a frypan, which means you can't fit more than about a pound at a time; or you use a pot that's entirely too big, and it takes 20 minutes for the water to come to a boil. And in both those cases, the asparagus can cook unevenly.

I'd wanted an asparagus pot for years, but somehow could never bring myself to purchase one. Who needs another single-purpose item? Just how much asparagus do I think I'm going to eat? Yet, as others have pointed out, this is less a one-item pot than it initially seems. It'll be perfect for a couple of ears of corn on the cob, for hard-boiling eggs, and for steaming a few artichokes.

When I finally had the excuse to buy an aspargus pot (okay, it was part of a Halloween costume -- stick a bottle of port in the pot and carry it around: port-a-potty, get it?), I took the opportunity to do some shopping. I...

WORKS LIKE A CHARM
USED THIS FOR THE FIRST TIME LAST NIGHT,I WAS TIRED OF OVERCOOKING ASPARAGUS.WORKED GREAT.IT IS MADE OF QUALITY STAINLESS.BASKET IS THE RIGHT SIZE FIGHTS NICELY INTO THE POT AND THE HANDLE MOVES OFF TO THE SIDE,IT LAYS DOWN.I BOILED EGGS ALSO,GREAT WAY TO BOIL 5-8 EGGS.I WAS VERY IMPRESSED.

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Riedel Ouverture Magnum Glasses, Set of 4

Riedel is the best in fine glassware.
I've been using Riedel for years. (Pronounced "REEdul") Their best line is handblown Austrian crystal and is called the "Sommelier" series. VERY expensive, but peerless in quality and beauty. The next line down is also very fine and is called the "Vinum" series. My white wine glasses are from this series. My red wine glasses are from the "Overture" series -- the Magnum glasses. These are just the right size -- the Vinum can get quite large. I also prefer a shorter stem, which these have. I thought the Overture regular reds were a little too small for my taste (and smell!).

Overture is a little more durable, MUCH cheaper, but not quite as elegant. Still, they are very nice glassware and certainly nice enough to have for fine dining and guests.

I would suggest you NEVER put ANY Riedel glassware in the dishwasher. This is high quality Austrian crystal and it is definitely not a good idea to do that.

It works
When I first read the praises of these expensive glasses, I thought it was just more wine snob BS, but finally decided to try them. Sure enough, they make wine taste better compared to other shapes, but only you can tell if it's worth the price.

One rather blah zinfandel was transformed in the Riedel glass

Great glasses
Just wanted to second the motion that these are great glasses. They are not too large someone needs to let Dave know that wine glasses are not designed to be filled to the brim unless you're some kind of goof.

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Riedel Vinum Cabernet Decanter Gift Set

Great glasses but decanter can be a little bigger for a 750ml bottle
These Riedel Vinum Bordeaux/Cabernet Sauvignon glasses are great for everyday use. However, I would prefer a slightly bigger size decanter. Once a 750 ML bottle of wine is poured into the decanter, the inital area of wine exposure to air is a bit smaller than the Riedel Duck decanter. Otherwise, the set is perfect for a quiet dinner for two.

Great as a housewarming gift
For a young household, a practical and often-used gift. The glass, Austrian-made, is of brilliant quality - I loved how the wine sparkled when held against the sunlight
I gave the set away twice.



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Riedel Ouverture Tequila Glasses, Set of 4

This is the only way to drink tequila . . .
. . . this glass and, of course, a good tequila. As a resident of Mexico for four years and a tequila obsessive, I have tasted over 70 different tequilas ranging from $5 to $175 per bottle. Riedel's is the only glass that has allowed me fully to smell, taste, and enjoy tequila, and the only glass recognized by the consejo regulador de tequila, Mexico's FDA of the tequila industry. In my quest to enjoy the best tequilas at the lowest prices, I have purchased cheaper wine flutes and just about every other glass that I have been able to find that resembles the Riedel shape; all, however, has been to no avail: This glass's singular construction is unmatched for tequila. Unfortunately, these glasses are not created equal: I have owned 16 of these glasses, and, from time to time, I come across a poorly finished glass--an unsightly stem seam, a rough lip. Moreover, this glass confounds all attempts at describing the color of tequila. Finally, these glasses are not cheap, nor are they very...

Great Glasses
We live in Mexico and therefore drink tequila quite often. Most Mexicans will tell you that the only way to drink tequila is in a "caballito" or shot glass, but these glasses make a big difference, especially when drinking añejos or reposados. They are tall enough that you can get a good whiff without too much interference from the alcohol fumes. The sweet vanilla oak notes of the añejos are especially enhanced by these glasses, but even the grassy, vegetal blancos are more lively than when tasted in a standard shot glass. My wife, whose hands are much smaller than mine, agreed that the glasses are very well balanced and comfortable to hold. A great way to "degustar" a very noble spirit.

Nice presentation...
I don't drink tequila normally. But, I bought these as a gift for a friend who does. He paid me back by pouring me a `generous' glass of Patron Silver. Now, while I don't drink tequila, I do appreciate all fine liquors. So my first impression of these glasses was "fragile". I drink wine often and like a heavier glass, as I am sometimes clumsy. Though, these glasses did seem to be of high quality. They showed the clarity and color of the tequila nicely. They also allowed me to appreciate the aroma of the spirit without being overwhelmed by it. It was more of a sipping glass, but was shaped so that if you wanted to shoot it you could. I believe it did make the experience more enjoyable. It brought out taste and smell that I would not have normally smelled from tequila in a shot glass. So, if you appreciate fine tequila and think putting a $60 bottle of anything into a shot glass is a sin, I would recommend this for you. If/when I finish a wet bar in my home with nice liquors I will buy...

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Riedel Magnum Cabernet Decanter

Lovely decanter - perfect for regular bottle despite "magnum" classificn by Riedel
This is the decanter to get if you're looking to get a large classically shaped decanter in this line for a regular bottle of wine. Yes, this will hold a magnum but you don't want to pour all the magnum in it as there won't be enough surface area for the wine to aerate. I bought this to decant regular 750ml bottles of wine after reading some of the other reviews of this and it's shorter sibling decanter (the regular sized Cabernet Decanter). I'm glad I did as I wasn't disappointed at all. I was afraid this might end up being "huge", but it isn't. And, the regular Cabernet decanter is too small, as other reviewers of that have noted. If you're familiar with Riedel's Extreme line, this is almost an "extreme" decanter. One other thing to note: it's made of really thin, fine looking glass which looks beautiful (it's even thinner than the regular Vinum line). If you have the Riedel Vinum XL Pinot glasses, this decanter's glass thickness is exactly like those glasses. Love it. I...

Great decanter for a great price.
I bought this decanter for my dad for his birthday. You automatically expect quality since this is Riedel, but until you see this in person you just can't describe how elegant it is. The description says that it will hold 2 bottles of wine, but my suggestion is to buy it to hold one bottle, which gives the wine plenty of room to breathe. Definitely a great gift, looks much more expensive than it actually is, quite a good buy.

Good but not great...
Cleaning is quite burdensome for weekly usage. It's a nice looking decanter, thin & elegant, prone to breakage; for it to retain its understated elegance, spotless is a must. Hence upkeep is such a chore. Now & then I would break my Vinum glasses while hand-cleaning or drying them, this decanter has presented even a greater challenge.

Unlike wine glasses, thinness serves both aestheticism AND functionality; it is purely aesthetic and nothing more when it comes to decanter. Therefore I personally thought the Schott Zwiesel Classico Decanter, also German made, is a better option for regular usage because on top of being relatively though not quite as thin, it's durable due to its titanium content.

Now, let's say to add more "oom" to your wine experience, you don't mind painstakingly cleaning it afterwards, then pricier Riedel decanters, the "O" model for one among others, are a lot more visually striking.

In short, balancing between aestheticism and...

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Emeril Stainless 3 Quart Saute Pan with Lid

The best pan I have ever owned!
Throughout my married life, I have owned and used non-stick cookware. After expanding my cooking knowledge through good cooking magazines and shows like "Emeril Live!", I came to see that there were some 'holes' in my kitchen supplies. I like to cook many dinners on top of the stove, and so I often sauté meats and make sauces. In order to make the finest-tasting sauce, you need the fond--bits of sautéed meat--that sticks to the bottom of the pan. When you sauté in a non-stick pan, there is no fond. I purchased the Emerilware 3 qt. stainless steel sauté pan after reading about the line. I also trust the All-Clad brand, and respect Emeril Lagasse. After using it several times, I have to say that this is the FINEST pan I have ever owned. It is a thing of beauty, it is heavy-sturdy, it cooks the foods beautifully, and it cleans easily. The handle stays cool during cooking, and the helper handle is a great aid for pouring out the cooked result. I...

Incredible Pan!
I own a four Emerilware pieces, but this is by far the one I use most. It's deep, it's wide without being too big, and with the glass lid I can easily keep an eye on anything I'm cooking in it.

It's made out of a nice heavy stainless steel, with a heavy bottom you want to evenly heat whatever is in it. And both handles can usually be handled with bare hands, even while cooking, the way they're made.

I especially love how I can start something on the stove top burners, then put the lid on and toss it in the oven to finish. This is great when you want to braze some chicken in a little oil to get a nice crispy skin, or sear the outside of beef or a steak, before finishing cooking in the oven.

I've even made fried chicken in it (one of the user photos is of this).

This is definitely the best pan I have ever purchased!

Very versatile pan
I own this as part of the 10 piece emerilware stainless kit. This is by far my most used pan. I saute cutlets in it and make a pan sauce from the fond that forms. I also cook risotto and braise in it. The heavy bottom distributes heat to beautifully caramlize onions without burning. It is heavy but I like this pan so much I even travel with it when going on extended trips with a kitchen available! All i need is this pan and my tongs and Le Creuset spatula if I had to choose out of all my kitchenware.

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All-Clad 59912 Stainless Steel with Aluminum Disc Bottom 12-Quart Multi Cooker with Steamer Basket and Lid Cookware, Silver

Excellent Stock Pot and Amazing Value!
Ok, this is obviously not the same as the traditional All Clad stock pots, if it was it would be more then triple the price of this one without the 2 inserts. It is part of the disk bottom collection, however it is still top quality stainless steel and very well made. I certainly would not consider it secondary. It is a little lighter in weight than the traditional All Clad but it is not a light weight pot by any means. It is great for pasta, soup, stew, steaming veggies, etc. You will love it and you can't beat the price. It is very easy to clean and the inserts can be stacked and stored inside. A+

Tip: If you should get something stuck to the stainless steel use a product called "Bar Keepers Friend" to clean it. Most supermarkets have it and Kitchen Etc. and Bed, Bath and Beyond carry it too. The container (like a Comet can) is gold with blue and white writing. All Clad recommends it for cleaning stainless steel and it works like a dream and is very inexpensive.

Great value but a different kind of All-Clad
This is an incredible value, considering you get the lid, the pot, and the two baskets at a great price. It performs very well and is a welcome addition to an All-Clad set. However, it is not the same quality as the rest of my All-Clad's. As an example, the lid is made of the same type of steel as my other lids, however, it is thinner.

Don't be fooled!
This is a good product, but not what I was expecting when I ordered it. Don't be fooled, this stockpot is not from the regular line of Stainless products by All-Clad. It's from a lesser-quality line of products. The walls are thinner and it just seems to be of less overall quality than the regular All-Clad products (which are fantastic in my opinion!) Mounted on the bottom of the pan is another piece of metal for conduction (totally unlike regular All-Clad, but just like Emerilware). For the price it is a good product, but if you want true All-Clad quality hold out for the more expensive version.

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Riedel Ouverture Red Wine Glasses, Set of 4

Excellent, inexpensive - great for beginning oenophiles!
If you're like me, you'd rather put your hard-earned money towards nice wines than on overpriced glassware. However, wine just doesn't taste the same if you drink it out of a plastic cup (yes, I am a college student). These entry-level glasses from Riedel fit the bill perfectly for my needs and are a great value for the price. The nose is enhanced, the taste is more pronounced, and the overal wine experience is heightened by using a high quality glass like this one. Plus, if one of them accidently gets broken, at [this price per] glass its not a big deal. However, I wouldn't trust the dishwasher with these glasses even though the description says you can. And yes, they are not crystal but they are very close at a fraction of the price. Highly recommended.

They work
I was actually surprised to find that wine *did* taste better from these glasses than what I'd used before. (Hmmm -- not necessarily better; bad wines taste worse, an unanticipated consequence.) In addition, the glasses are simple but pretty without being so expensive that I'm afraid to use them. I'm even willing to put them in the dishwasher, an important consideration for a self-indulgent bachelor. (I did manage to break one, though -- my own fault.) All in all, could hardly have been better.

It's the little things you'll appreciate
I have close to 50 glasses dedicated to alcohol of various types. The REIDEL Ouverture line is one of my favorites. Looking and touching the glass, you notice that the rim is ground and polished and the seams are minimimal, helping the glasses achieve an artistic beauty many glasses try to duplicate, but lack the attention to detail.

But, these are wine glasses not paintings... The lines will accent about any table and the attention to detail and really brings out the smallest subtleties in the wine. Does it really deserve 4 stars, well I'd give it 4.5-4.75, but that's not an option.

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Riedel Ouverture White Wine Glasses, Set of 4

The Best for Everyday Wine Glasses
I own dozens of wine glasses from the most expensive lead crystal to winery logo glasses. I also have a set of Reidel Vinum's as well. I bought these for everyday/dishwasher use. Wow! Both the Red and White are wonderful... I side by side taste tested (glass to glass) my Chardonnay (yes, mine) and the White Wine Glass was way above average and perfect for everyday. Frankly, white wine dosen't need a snifter glass as some do...Tip: It also helps to not fill the glass to the top and please don't freeze the Chardonnay!!

Great size and feel
Since we bust up wine glasses with distressing regularity, this inexpensive set by a name manufacturer seemed like a good bet. We haven't been disappointed. The size and shape are good, and the quality of the glass and finish are excellent. Best of all, they can go in the dishwasher!

Best Buy for Every Day Wine Use
I was impressed by this new arrival because of the Brand name "Reidel" and was looking for a glasss for "drop in" guests and summer cookouts and these four glasses fit the bill perfectly! This way if I break one on my tile floor I won't "burst into tears" at the loss knowing I got a great deal on Amazon. Com and if "someone" breaks one, I'll order another 4 for backup! These will be great for lunches, packing in a picnic basket for summer outings and simple but nice for casual entertaining.

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Riedel Cabernet Decanter

Half bottle decantor
Buyer beware! This is being advertised here as easily holding a 750 ml bottle of wine. Yes, it will hold one 750 ml bottle but it is actually intended to be used as a 375 ml, 1/2 bottle personal decantor not a 750 ml bottle decantor (according to Reidel - discovered after receiving the product).

I bought a second one
This decanter handily holds 750 ml (one bottle), but it has the most surface area at 375 ml. So if you are wanting a decanter to get rid of bottle sediment or just to be used as a serving implement, this is great. And cheap, too.

If you want to get the maximum aeration, you'll have to choose a different decanter.

I recently bought a second one, and was interested to see how rose-colored my first one is in comparison to the second one. These are inexpensive, so it is probably worth it to have one that you reserve for whites and one you use for reds. It's very hard to clean the red wine color out, even using a bottle brush.

Good Decanter for the price
This is an excellent decanter - the shape allows for easy handling and it is an excellent value. I have two and would recommend this decanter to anyone requiring a simple decanter.

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Fiesta 5-Piece Place Setting, White

Great dinnerware!
As other rewiewers have stated, this is great dinnerware. We've had Fiestaware for over 13 years and still love it. The kids have broken a few of our pieces so we are trying to rebuild our collection.

too small
I was so excited to get these, but when it arrived, the bowls are small and the coffee cups are the size of esspresso cups. Very disappointed. Now I need to go and buy separate coffee cup sets. I won't buy from them again.

Wonderful dishes!
I have always loved Fiestaware dishes, but have not purchased them. When my old set of dishes showed too much wear I saw these on Amazon and since I wanted a set of white dishes AND wanted them to be made in the US I made the decision to buy them. They are great for everyday meals and good-looking for company as well. I chose this set as the cups are easier for my elderly mother to handle without being awkward. All in all I am delighted with my purchase.

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Wusthof Gourmet 8-Inch Flexible Fish Fillet Knife

Wüsthof Gourmet 8-Inch Flexible Fillet Knife
I have a number of forged Wusthof knives, and I love them. Until I ordered this knife, I did not know that Wusthof had a line of relatively ..., stamped knives. The difference in quality between this knive and my forged Wusthof knives is significant. I must add, however, that the superior forged knives have prices to match. A forged Wusthof fillet knife would be three times the price.

Great filet knife...
I have jkust started using my new filet knife,,,great handling and it will keep me fileting my fluke this summer...

Ok
The word flexible in a knife description gives one an image that doesn't hold true here. It flexes a little, but so does any knife with a longer blade.

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Arthur Court Grape Napkin Rings, Set of 4

napkin rings
very good condition, very good price for it being Arthur court highly recommend, very detail in the small area it is in ,very happy

Classy napkin holders work perfectly for formal dinners
Highest rating given for these classy and beautiful napkin holders. The grape design is always a hit! Great for casual or formal dinners.



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Anolon Professional Hard Anodized Nonstick 12-Piece Cookware Set

Great cookware - doesn't last
We registered for this cookware as a wedding gift. We love the tempered-glass lids so we can see what's cooking. The pans have a nice substantial feel and work well with our smoothtop range. The stay-cool riveted handles are great.

At first we loved the nonstick coating, it did what it was supposed to do. However, we have had the pans for less than three years (2 years 8 months) and the nonstick coating is already beginning to come off. We have followed the directions for care and cleaning, and not used any metal utensils on them, so I am very disappointed that the coating hasn't lasted longer. We do cook frequently with high heat, but on a good set of cookware that shouldn't make the coating come off this quickly. There are little hairline scratches (probably from stir-frying shrimp or steaming shellfish) where the coating is now beginning to clump up and rub off when we wash it.

It's sad, because we cook a lot, we love this cookware and were hoping it...

Great Set for the Money
I shopped around quite a bit before finally settling on this set and I am very pleased with my purchase. I don't understand a lot of the complaints.

The fact that the set is a bit heavy is a plus in my book, not a minus. I would have been greatly disappointed if they would have been light and flimsy. I checked out a few different good sets at bed, bath and beyond before buying on-line, and I didn't think any of the big name brand hard adonized sets were any lighter than these.

One of the big selling points for me for this set is the fact that they are oven safe to 500 degrees. I have a few recipes I use all the time that start out on the stove and then move into a 375 or 400 oven, or finish under the broiler and this set can take that. Some of the others I compared have handles that won't take that kind of heat. Despite the metal handles, I am very happy that they don't get hot on the stove.

I don't put my pots and pans in the dishwasher because my...

Peeling after a couple years
Although I ONLY hand washed these pots and pans, somewhere between the 2nd and 3rd year, the nonstick coating on the pans started lifting. I also do not use metal cooking utensils.

All that being said, I still use these pots and pans (been almost 5 years now).

Overall, I originally bought this set for ~$300 5 years ago. The pots are still in excellent condition. If I was looking for pots and pans, I would consider purchasing another set at $150.

I do cook a lot (used for business) so my 5 years with these pans may equate to 7-10 years of normal use.

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Wilton Armetale Reggae 3-Piece Salad Bowl Set with Servers, Large, Round, 14-3/4-Inch

Gave as Christmas presents. Everyone raved!
Armetale is awesome. Freeze, bake and serve in it. You will always get compliments when you use it. It looks great to display when not using it.





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Arthur Court Grape 8-Inch Plate with Cheese Server

Arthur Court 8in cheese server
I really like Arthur Court anything, very classy and beautiful serving pieces. I have wanted to add this piece to my collection for some time.

Expensive for what it is
This was a disappointment. It was much smaller that I expected and the quality for the price is just not there. Big disappointment.

Small Cheese Plate and Knife
I have always loved the Arthur Court Grape Series, and this is no exception. It's a small plate to serve brie or other similar cheese or rich small dessert. It looks lovely on a small breakfast table for two. Very well made, functional as well as decorative.

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Villeroy & Boch French Garden Fleurence 14-1/2-Inch Oval Platter

Beautitul platter
This was a gift for my mother. It adds to her dishes collection. She absolutely loves this collection of dishes and was so happy to get this platter.





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