This is by far my favorite kitchen store. I'm a pretty serious home cook and I normally have gone to Sur La Table for most specialty items - they are less overpriced than Williams Sonoma. But City Kitchens has knocked them down a spot on the list! I first went to the store during a search for a football-shaped cookie cutter two days before the Super Bowl. Sur La Table offered me a stadium-shaped Bundt pan, and Williams Sonoma sold one as part of a set of 8 sports-themed cookie cutters for $32, while City Kitchens had just the football (all I needed) for $2.50. They set the last one in the store aside for me after I called - that was the beginning of my love for the store, and a good (if silly) indicator of the kind of store this is - they have exactly what you need, no more and no less, they sell it for a reasonable price, they know exactly where to find what you need, and will provide good customer service, too!\r
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The selection of supplies at City Kitchens is really exceptional - surprising variety for the size of the store, a big range of prices on a lot of categories, top well-known brands as well as great little-known ones, a tool for every task as well as a great selection of basics, and a small but unique collection of tabletop and entertaining items. They are much more focused on quality products than on carrying the 'in' items of the year, and I think that really shows in their staff's knowledge of the products they carry. It is not a 'home' store or a book store - they carry few cookbooks and few items that are not kitchen-focused aside from some serving and cocktail pieces. But for the serious or aspiring home cook, it is a must-visit location. They have fantastic sale prices - my husband bought a chef's knife that normally retails for around $150 for $80, and I got a $110 LeCrueset grill pan for $50.
Pros: knowledgeable staff, great selection, great sale prices
Cons: parking, not many cookbooks
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