479203 Mon Jan 14 10:07:22 -0800 2008 38 41 Cookware 0 3293623 Hey! I've drooled over their catalogues, but never actually bought anything there. Any recs? Thanks! Mon Jan 14 10:07:22 -0800 2008 62257 Little Cupcake 1 3293720 That depends... what are your interests? Do you grill/bake etc...?? Off the top of my head (and I think for under $35 - but I shop in $Cdn): Discount christmas chocolate - the Peppermint Bark is delicious, so are the candies and the jar is a keeper. For grilling: button thermometers by Taylor, set of four 2 chicken 2 meat, handy when you have a crowd over and everyone likes their meat just so. For baking: A silpat if you don't have one already or any of their Professional series bakeware. I have their loaf pans and their square cake pan. Best stuff I've ever used. No more cheap non-stick for me :) And if you're going to try some new recipes maybe wait and see what shakes out in terms of the Homecooking Board's Cookbook for February and see if it's available at WS and get it? (probably not for under $35 but the gift card will at least make a dent in the price) If you like wine the Reidel glasses and carafe are carried at WS...although I think $35 might get you one glass. HTH Mon Jan 14 10:29:00 -0800 2008 3293623 138472 maplesugar 1 3293988 If you ever make candy or jelly, or do deep-frying, you might want to take a look at this digital oil and candy thermometer. It hurt to shell out $35 when I bought mine, but I'm so glad I did--it's far easier to use than my old glass one. And anyway, that's what I like about gift cards--I always try to buy something I wouldn't spend that much on otherwise. http://www.williams-sonoma.com/products/sku4115119/index.cfm?pkey=cctlttsi Mon Jan 14 11:30:54 -0800 2008 3293623 27327 MsMaryMc 1 3294052 Pop-up sponges! Twenty or so years ago, I got a package among a gift, and I've kept some around ever since. I'm also quite fond of their linens, from dishtowels to tablecloths. Their sale prices on seasonal items can be great, and the salespeople, while sometimes terribly snooty, are well-trained and knowlegeable about the products they sell. Enjoy your shopping spree! Mon Jan 14 11:40:22 -0800 2008 3293623 115871 marthasway 2 3298973 Yes those pop up sponges are sponges of the gods had they ever had to clean. You can put them in the dishwasher and they are perfect with bar keeper's friend for SS appliances. Oh how I love these! Tue Jan 15 16:22:59 -0800 2008 3294052 92426 ktmoomau 3 3490829 What are pop up sponges? Thu Mar 13 18:28:35 -0700 2008 3298973 160026 bachlava 4 3491454 Pop Up Sponges: http://www.williams-sonoma.com/products/h007/index.cfm?pkey=chkgclnspg Thu Mar 13 23:13:53 -0700 2008 3490829 138472 maplesugar 2 3302610 If you are near a Trader Joe's, 12 pop up sponges are 5.99. Williams Sonoma charges 14.00. Wed Jan 16 15:42:42 -0800 2008 3294052 54245 bostonhound 1 3294351 I'd get 4 boxes of Maldon salt, but that's just me... Eating it right now sprinkled on cold edaname - yummm!! Mon Jan 14 12:41:49 -0800 2008 3293623 10392 torta basilica 1 3294352 They are having some great sales right now - I got a table runner yesterday that I had contemplated a while ago. I'm glad I waited - it was $24.99, marked down from $98! Mon Jan 14 12:42:16 -0800 2008 3293623 101907 ms. clicquot 1 3294657 I like kitchen gadgets - the silicone basting brush, zester, mini spatula, digital thermometer Or gourmet food items - Himilayian rock salt, seasoned olive oils, anything chocolate check the clearance section online - I got a small woven rug reg. $59 for $29 my blog http://dinnersforayear.blogspot.com Mon Jan 14 13:48:22 -0800 2008 3293623 155928 eatmyfood 1 3295245 If you're in the mood to splurge, try their croissants. Quite amazing. Mon Jan 14 16:26:24 -0800 2008 3293623 55316 mpalmer6c 1 3295301 Hmm, what would I buy... - Pop up sponges - Gold baking sheet - Fancy cake pan (I'm coveting the flower-shaped cakelets pan) - Pink grapefruit lotion/candle/dish soap - Kitchen towels - I've never found any kitchen towels that absorb as much or wear as well as theirs. I've had some for many years, several which have morphed into dustrags or garage rags when they become too stained to keep out in the kitchen. Mon Jan 14 16:40:40 -0800 2008 3293623 67610 Suzy Q 1 3295524 the dulce de leche they carry, best I've had in north america Mon Jan 14 17:49:05 -0800 2008 3293623 12135 John Manzo 1 3295604 It would be much less than $35 ... but I just got a microplane grater from WS. It is truly amazing and I cannot believe how I lived without one. I also like their kitchen towels, as others have said. Mon Jan 14 18:11:48 -0800 2008 3293623 104084 LNG212 1 3296149 I would add some of my own money and buy something you really want instead of something based on price. I purchased a waffle maker for $99.00 that is great. The Villaware Reversible-Plate Waffle Maker. It has a timer so there is no guess work to when the waffle is done. Well worth the money. Mon Jan 14 21:53:20 -0800 2008 3293623 156991 St.Helens Matt 1 3296317 you might be just around the right price for a good paring knife, maybe the wusthof classic? much of their food stuff is overpriced, but some of it is not bad and worth getting - maladon salt being one example. their towels and oven mitts are excellent quality, not found elsewhere, and not a bad price. you could probably get one really good cookbook for that price too. Tue Jan 15 01:06:35 -0800 2008 3293623 68210 andytee 1 3296318 Their egg poacher pan is a must have. Perfectly poached eggs every time ! The "Gold" professional series cookie sheets are also wonderful. Tue Jan 15 01:13:53 -0800 2008 3293623 17403 easily amused 1 3299818 Their clearance sales can be great. My mom the bargain hunter once snared a first quality Le Crueset saucepan from there for something like $30. It you're in there at the right time, there's other neat stuff that's 80% or more off the original price. Tue Jan 15 21:19:17 -0800 2008 3293623 11781 beachmouse 1 3300218 Treat yourself to a nice quality olive oil. They have a great selection, you can always get cookware or gadgets elsewhere at a better price. Wed Jan 16 05:06:55 -0800 2008 3293623 26213 Pegmeister 2 3300589 A few years ago I got their set of 3 mixing bowls. LOVE THEM! They have a rubber ring on the bottom so they don't slide, they're plastic, so very light weight. Wed Jan 16 07:28:56 -0800 2008 3300218 92423 jesoda 3 3300626 Ditto on the mixing bowls. I even ordered their child cook sizes just so that I could have smaller bowls made of the same material. I use them every day. Wed Jan 16 07:43:39 -0800 2008 3300589 87837 RGC1982 4 3302392 Do you have a store near you? If so, there is a ton of stuff on sale right now. But don't just buy something b/c it is on sale unless you really need it. I agree with all the posters about the towels, sponges, olive oils etc. Use it to buy something you normally wouldn't spend the money on yourself like a good piece of Apilco french dinnerware. Or invest in a great knife. Replace those old cooks tools with some new ones. Geez, the possibilities are endless. The average price of a cookbook is about $35. How about Alice Waters new book? $35 would be gone in a millisecond in my paw. Let us know what you do eventually get. BTW, you can also use that at Pottery Barn & PB kids-just to throw more ?? in the mix! Wed Jan 16 14:44:55 -0800 2008 3300626 123913 chocchipcookie 1 3303694 Their 6 3/4 qt.Le Creuset risotto pots now are $99.99. This is an awesome pot and the perfect pot for braising. The smaller one is $79.99. Their All-Clad 6 qt. deep saute stainless pot is only $74.99, and the James Beard 4.5 qt. everything pan $89.99, and 3 qt. sauciers only $79.99 although those might be gone. I would put your credit towards any of those as they are all incredible values on lifetime cookware! Wed Jan 16 21:41:14 -0800 2008 3293623 63331 blondelle 2 3304041 Where are you seeing these prices? I just checked the WS website and I do not see anything even close to the prices you are quoting for Le Creuset. It could be my mistake and I may be missing something, because if I can get them at those prices, I will jump on it today! Thu Jan 17 05:51:39 -0800 2008 3303694 154086 nooner 3 3304379 Well, get ready to jump!!! :-). Those prices are only in store. I would call ahead to check stock on them if you're not close by, as they have been understandably selling out! Thu Jan 17 07:44:39 -0800 2008 3304041 63331 blondelle 1 3303906 I'm not a big WS fan because most of their products are over priced common brands. I do like the smoked sweet paprika they carry and some of the sea salt. A new knife is always hard to resist. I purchased a 9 quart Le Creuset oval dutch oven at WS last summer for $275. A week later Costco had an 8 qt for $160. I don't find their cook ware to be a good buy even on sale. Thu Jan 17 03:04:56 -0800 2008 3293623 155549 Docsknotinn 2 3508936 I agree: overpriced cookware of the usual brands. BUT, there are fabulous deals to be had at sales. I bought a set of All-Clad: small saucepan and frying pan in January for $30. Crazy good deal, I think Wed Mar 19 16:16:51 -0700 2008 3303906 141035 oryza 1 3303996 I just got a great set of mise en place glass bowls from WS, on sale. The set came with eight bowls, 2 different sizes and they stack. I love them, use them all the time, and keep them right on the shelf of my mobile kitchen island where they are always accessible. Thu Jan 17 05:24:59 -0800 2008 3293623 63569 flourgirl 1 3304204 I had a $35 credit to spend at W-S right after Christmas. Husband had been wanting a tagine for a really long time. The Emile-Henry one was on clearance for $65 so my out of pocket cost ended up being $30 for it. I've also used GCs in the past towards an ice cream maker and a waffle maker. Thu Jan 17 06:53:26 -0800 2008 3293623 16406 ziggylu 1 3318182 I would buy what is known as a "Salt-Pig", which is an easy access container for Fleur de sel. I use fleur de sel on everything because it makes food come alive, and the salt pig is a functional & decorative member of my kitchen counter! -Jet Mon Jan 21 16:01:28 -0800 2008 3293623 131152 Jet 1 3323223 I bought a jar of beef demi glace with a 35 dollar WS gift certificate and had a year of killler beef stews and now it's an annual thing to ask for a jar of it for xmas. Wed Jan 23 03:33:08 -0800 2008 3293623 66281 ginnyhw 2 3323378 Ginny, does it really last that long in the fridge or did you have to freeze it? Could you still scoop it out from the freezer? What brand did you get? Thanks! Wed Jan 23 05:53:23 -0800 2008 3323223 63331 blondelle 3 3328077 We kept it in the fridge through March-April and then popped it in the freezer. They only carry one brand but you have a choice of chicken beef or veal. Thu Jan 24 10:14:53 -0800 2008 3323378 66281 ginnyhw 2 3457061 can you buy this in canada? Mon Mar 03 19:29:57 -0800 2008 3323223 162977 sarah galvin 3 3458008 Sarah the Calgary store only sells a small portion of the food the US WS stores carry, although they have been carrying things like Turkey gravy around xmas/thanksgiving etc so they *might* have the demi glace but I'm not sure... If you're going to Chinook Centre just for that I'd call ahead to see if they're carrying it. Tue Mar 04 07:18:51 -0800 2008 3457061 138472 maplesugar 4 3491370 I took a seasonal job for Christmas at W-S and they don't bring in demi glace, as far as I was told. Best time to buy turkey gravy is after American Thanksgiving and just before Christmas. It goes on sale. Check 'best before' dates and you can be sure a sale is coming if that date is near! Just some tips! Also, after a major seasonal event, check the sale table at the back of the store. Thu Mar 13 22:28:50 -0700 2008 3458008 162977 sarah galvin 1 3377987 there is a nice little set of 3 paring-type knives. kitchen scissors - wusthof come apart for washing. the tea towels are amazing Fri Feb 08 12:29:46 -0800 2008 3293623 162977 sarah galvin 1 3378017 I'm sure it's overpriced, but it's the best finishing olive oil I've ever had. http://tinyurl.com/375sn9 Fri Feb 08 12:37:33 -0800 2008 3293623 65804 grampart