Sur La Table

Cooking class with Chef James, learning macaron techniques. We had a full class on a Saturday morning.
We started off with a little Nescafé and French toast while waiting for all students to arrive. Yum!
Fabulous teacher who took time to show technique and individually check on us. We had a chance to taste as we went and sample what we made.
Great time and would not hesitate to take another. Also enjoyed a discount.

I love this place! The staff is always there to help me find what I need. and more! Their selection is also amazing. If you’re a cooking buff and a kitchen wiz, check this place out!
They also just had a remodel and they have added a kitchen with cooking classes! Definitely a great date night idea, if you’re wanting to do something different.

I had been appreciating the website for quite some time (especially their KitchenAid features), and was delighted to have been directed to this brick-​and-​mortar location whilst visiting Cincinnati.
Merely hoping to find a teapot to offer as a gift, the mad 75% clearout happening at this location led me to stock up on all manner of basic kitchen essentials upon which I probably should not have splurged since I’m so far from my home base. However, this shop is rather fabulous in person and I’ve been feeling a bit «bare» as far as organisational/​prep tools when preparing food for workshops, presentations, & other culinary «share» events during my time in the Midwest. That having been said, I simply could not pass up on such a mad clearout sale and am grateful to the kind folks at Sur La Table for all of their kind assistance during my visit.

Although I would not say the staff knocks themselves out for customers, they are quite helpful if you know exactly what you want and succeed in getting their attention. It is a fairly large store, and the way it’s laid out does not help staff to readily see that you’re even in there. Especially if you’re only 4′ 10″ tall. The place is close to Hyde Park, so there is a whiff of elitism and snobbery that I sometimes pick up on.

This review is based on 1 experience because I would never go back in there, 75% because of service, 25% because of price. The staff was condescending and while they were semi knowledgeable about their own products, there was no chance for dialog about their products vs competitor, just a blind belief that theirs was significantly better than anything else on the market.
Save your breath and your money and go to BB&B, Macy’s, Amazon, really anywhere but here.

The sales staff could use a lesson in customer service. An arrogant attitude prevails and is unnecessarily dismissive. I witnessed this attitude being served to other customers as well. The staff I spoke with on two occasions were focused on the superiority of their own products and showed ignorance when not understanding or having depth of product knowledge in the field. Arguing with a customer’s factual information seemed more important than simple courtesy and sense of kindness. Such a shame. With such steep pricing it is easier to buy elsewhere. This is an example of what puts specialty stores out of business. Why not let more depth of knowledge for the informed cook and friendly customer service for all be what your customers remember?

I wish I could give negative stars. Worst customer service I’ve received in a long time, was ignored and spoken to rudely by the entire store. Go across the street to BBB, they have the same crap for cheaper, and even you can purchase it without being made to feel as if you’re an inconvenience to the staff!

While Sur la Table is likely able to satisfy whatever kitchen-​related needs you may have (and some you may not be aware of until you stumble upon the product), this is not the most customer friendly location.
I went in with a couple of products in mind and had to hunt for an associate. When I asked her where to find a product she walked away from me (she was stocking something) and then came back and I had to ask her again– I kind of felt like a bother. With her direction I was able to find what I needed and in reality it was probably more expensive than other locations would have been. I probably will not return unless I am looking for a difficult to find item because the service is not very friendly :/

I was looking for a great Father’s Day gift and Sur La Table helped me out! They had some great grill items on sale, especially for the occasion. A sales person even asked me if I would like a cup of coffee or a cappuccino upon entering the store… how hospitable!
The returns were SUPER EASY to do too! I bought my mom a gift (so she wouldn’t feel left out on Father’s Day) but she ended up thinking she wouldn’t use it… so I had to return it :(Luckily the return was fast and easy and I didn’t feel guilty at all :)

What a silly, officious store.
It’s a store that belongs in the «more money than brains» category. Or maybe it’s the «there’s one born every minute» category.
No one who is serious about cooking would go to this place. If you need some heavy duty equipment, hit up a restaurant supply place and save yourself a bundle. This is a store for the non-​serious home cook who really wants to show off all kinds of stupid gadgets in an over-​sized suburban kitchen.
But it’s not all stupid gadgets. There’s also overpriced gadgets. The $ 7 grapefruit spoon was nice as were the $ 15 measuring spoons. It even had a ‘pinch’ spoon. Sigh. I’d have provided a list of other over-​priced stuff but I was too busy laughing.
Oh, and don’t miss the little bottles of gourmet ketchup. I looked for Dijon Ketchup to no avail.
That being said, the place needs to be organized a bit better. There’s too much stuff squeezed in. One item my wife was interested in was high up on a rack. I’m six foot and could just barely get it down for my five five wife.
I’m sure they make the rent through their wedding registry. I can just imagine the conversation:
Husband: How much you want to budget for Frank and Sheila’s kid’s wedding gift.
Wife: I don’t know. We don’t really like them. How about $ 75?
Husband: Fine by me.
Wife: I’ll swing by that Sur La Table place they’re registered at tomorrow.
Later that week…
Husband: So what’d you get Frank and Sheila’s kid?
Wife: A ladle.
Husband: I thought we were going to spend $ 75?
Wife: We were. But I spent $ 85 on a ladle they registered for.
Husband: That must be some ladle.
Wife: Meh.
Husband: Whatev’
Give me a break.

I can walk around here for hours, compiling a list of kitchen supplies that I don’t probably need, but for some strange reason, am eager to try. IT’s the kind of store that makes me want to spend my freetime on the weekends digging through a cookbook, and lightly dusting the kitchen with flour and butter. It’s addicting to say the least. It brings out the inner child in me and I always leaves me with an appetite for adventure.

Stopped in this store partly out of curiosity and also searching for some new place mats. I was utterly amazed by all the table linens, kitchen products, and gadgets the store stocks. They also have a large selection of grilling items, as well as fun items like lobster-​shaped corn picks and flip-​flop shaped coasters. They also have an extensive selection of gourmet food products and cookbooks.
As Christoffer mentioned, it’s a specialty store, so prices are kind of expensive, although the price on the cherry red round woven place mats I choice were similar to department store prices.

Sur La Table is a wet dream for amateur chefs. Upon entering, the temptation of theft is almost overwhelming. I see gadgets I never even believed in: an avocado peeler, a pineapple corer, a hundred-​plus-​piece garnish set. Sacre bleu!
Sadly, such oddities come at high prices. Most of the common items (whisks, sieves, plates) can be found in similar quality and lower prices elsewhere. It’s the specialty devices that are exclusive here. Even these can sometimes be found for cheaper on the internet. I usually go here, look around, see some things I can’t believe I lived without for so long (like, say, a mango pitter), then order them online. Actually, I more often realize that I have no mangoes that need pitting.
The employees there are always knowledgeable and affable; they can usually explain how to use that doohickey or dishes they’ve made with that cookware. If you’re a foodie sort, you’ll find them easy to engage in culinary conversation.