Sur La Table

I’m sorry to give this store a 1 star since my issue is with corporate but I’ve given up trying to find a way to let the public know about my poor experience. I am getting married and recently received a LARGE and HEAVY box via FedEx from Sur la Table as a wedding gift. It is not our style and although a sweet gesture not something we intend to keep. Since I live over an hour away from the nearest store and my free time is limited I appreciated that I could ship it back. HOWEVER, I HAVE TO PAY TO SHIP THIS VERY LARGE AND VERY HEAVY BOX BACK TO INDIANA! EXCUSE ME? This is a horrible policy and I will never be purchasing anything from Sur la Table for myself or as a gift for anyone ever. Now to debate if I should pay to ship this gift back to get a gift card that will likely barely cover the shipping costs or waste 2+ hours of my life driving to the nearest store to return it. I’ve heard wonderful things about this company but asking someone that received an item as a gift to pay for its return is ridiculous.

Sur La Table is great, its a good size store with just about anything you can imagine for a kitchen. The quality is good to very good. This means if it is something you think you will only use once or twice you might look around for cheaper. If you will use it much then come here. The prices are usually good for the quality.
When my Aunt was looking for a very specific pepper grinder, she had had one once but it had worn out. By the time I saw her, she had already looked all over with no luck. I brought her here and they had a couple to choose from… yeah its that kind of place.
Its also a great place to gift shop. The huge variety of what they have means that I often find things I didn’t know exists. Also there are lots of hard or at least hardish to find items. Its where I found my crumbed, a tool to clean crumbs off a tablecloth… and so many other things.
There are lines at times but it usually moves ok. Staff is always helpful and that goes along way.

I was really looking forward to browsing here.
What was once a store name associated with innovation, clever design, and charming tables has sadly drifted downward into ordinary. I went in looking for a couple of tools — some fresh measuring spoons, an attractive cooking scale, a graduated bar measure — and maybe a few ideas, but the choices are not up to the internet, and the prices were solidly MSRP.
The store is dimly lit (maybe it’s atmosphere?) cramped (the downside of locating in a high rent area) — and not nearly as lively as in times past. And parking? ? The only handicap slots were right in front (the only two in sight) and always occupied. Yes, there were handicap spots — which is good. But somebody was using them more like long term airport parking, which makes «good» into «not good enough.»
I think the biggest disappointment was the layout of the store. I realize they are working with a small space, but finding any organizational structure was close to impossible. Featured items or clusters — okay — but finding baking vs grilling vs electrics vs gadgets/​tools etc was not obvious. And about the time I thought I’d found baking tools — there was a tall shelf of marked-​down damaged goods mixed in. It was like a hunt through my grandmother’s cellar.
Maybe I was expecting too much.
I’ll be back on the net next time I want to browse.

What a great place to shop! The customer service was fantastic. Lots of kitchen gadgets and fun stuff to look at and prices were great! The person who helped us was funny, engaging and no pushy. Breath of fresh air.

Stopped by to pick up a coffee maker.
Megan could not have been more helpful.
She not only matched a lower price I had seen at a Kitchen Kaboodle, but also helped with some accessories I needed.
Great customer service!!!

Despite a disappointing experience at the downtown store, when I went to the Bridgeport store it was very different. Loved the way they really took care of me. They knew their products, didn’t have exactly what I came for, but I left with a better All Clad sauté pan that was on sale for $ 50 less than what I expected to pay.

Besides the fact that they have a great selection of every kitchen gadget and accessory you never knew you needed, the staff here is so helpful! Not hovering, only sometimes salesy (like if you’re looking for a knife… my guess is there is some sort of commission or spiff).
I love the clearance section, always find a little nugget in there. They have a great selection of cute cupcake wrappers and kits. Also, things I don’t see other places… like a deep dish pizza pan and 5 different paella pans!
The staff really goes above and beyond, that really is the push over the edge for me here.

So… I have loved cooking for a long time… but I have knives that just do not cut it (GET IT! CUT… IT! I am so funny… right??)
Anyhoo, I thought it was about time to get one. So on the family morning walk yesterday, we went to a store locally here in Hillsboro and checked out some knives. I did not feel like I could really make a decision without touching more knives and maybe even getting to use one or two.
I decided it would be worth the drive to go to Sur La Table for 2 reasons,
1: Lots of brands of knives
2: They have Fran’s chocolate… and sometimes… I just need some Fran’s!
I arrive at Bridgeport, I had only been there once before to pick up something from the container store… so I had no idea where to park but lucky for me and my mom who I dragged along, we found a spot that was over by Barnes and Noble and it was not a long walk.
I walk in and of course, they have someone to say hello and ask you what you need right away. She walks me over to the knives as I tell her I have NO IDEA what I want … and she passes me off gently to the knife guy, Joe.
Joe is a fancy man. He has had quite the culinary career and was very knowledgeable and had a great way of giving you tips and encouragement.
After trying every forged knife they had (Joe watched me chop things) he asked me what felt good and then made his own suggestion. We were on the same page.
I am extremely satisfied with the knife I bought and look forward to getting more!
If you need a knife… and are not sure what you need, I highly recommend that you go out and see Joe. You will not regret it.

Every employee FOLLOWS me around and asks me 20 times if I need help. please, say hello and ask if we need help once. If I do need help, I will come and find you. Please don’t chase me around and try to beef up your commission check. Thank you!

Great sales, friendly staff and beautiful products! Just bought a set of seersucker napkins for $ 3/​each and went back for more in other colors the next day.

I want pretty much everything at Sur La Table!!!
There is a knife set waiting for me and it’s on sale for $ 999 (yeah, won’t be getting that anytime soon).
If you like to cook or bake. This is your store (well, there are everywhere around Portland and vicinity). :)

This is truly the most Surliest of the Sur La Table’s I have ever been to and have no need to come back to this location.
I was in the market for an immersion blender for my MIL (more for my use whilst visiting but still) and upon seeing the bright colors of the one brand they had, I simply inquired if they had any in white. I was told they had gotten a shipment but wouldn’t be looking in that box in the back until the store closed for the night. I then asked what color they had in stock and was advised the only one still in the box was the «hot pink one». Now, hot pink is cool and all, and if I was buying an immersion blender for my daughter when she goes off to college some years from now, I would be in the market for this color. I then asked if the blue one on display could be purchased and I was told «yes» but not in box and then I did what I always do… I asked if there would be a discount if the item I was purchasing was a display model. Well, this must have really offended the CSR I was dealing with because in a very offended tone, she advised me «absolutely not since the merchandise was not defective». I then said, well even Macy’s will give a discount for display models and she then snapped back «WE DON“T».
I quickly turned on my heel, and walked out of the store. I can go to any Sur La Table (even know where the one in Lake Oswego is), have 2 in my regular area and know how to rock the interwebs. This experience alone makes me want to only use William Sonoma (and that says a lot).

I called in advance to see if they had a specific pan I was looking for and they did, I asked them to hold it for me.
I got there at 2:00 in the afternoon and there was ZERO parking anywhere, after driving around for 20 minutes or so I finally found a spot. I made it to the store and got in line to pick up my pan. Service was so slow we (the line of people) were shocked at how long it took them to ring up 2 people, like 20 minutes. There were 2 people ringing up customer purchases and about 3 other people wandering around doing what we had no idea?
I finally made it to the register and they had no idea where the pan they were holding was at. She looked and looked and finally found one on the rack for me. It seems they had several new people just learning and when they asked others for help it was given very reluctantly. It was just a strange situation. It was about to get mutinous and by the time I left there were about 20 people waiting to pay, I would think they could have gotten a few more people busy ringing up customers but they did not. Several were complaining and threatening to leave.
Overall yucky experience and I doubt I will be back.

This is THE TOY store for anyone who loves to cook, bake, or entertain!
I love coming in here to browse, buy, or just drool over what I want next in my kitchen!
I always turn to Sur La for hard to find baking items too. I love to bake, and all my tart pans have come from here. They have every size and shape imaginable! I also love that they carry the Crueset line, these porcelain dishes cook food so evenly! Worth the splurge for sure!!!
The Bridgeport store is the closest one to my house so I frequent this one often, but the Pearl store is much bigger… not sure if more selection or just bigger?!
Now all I need is a «skys-​the-​limit» credit line to buy all that I want from here! ;-)

I go into this store often. It’s right down the street from where I live and I find myself gravitating towards it often.
As a chef, this store has EVERYTHING that I could possibly want or need in both my career and for my home. I could spend hours here. And do often.
Today I took a friend and fellow chef into the store. It was his first visit to a SLT. He was blown away. We didn’t have much time, so we quickly made our way to the knife area. Linda was there to help. She is great. If not for any other reason, I’d come back to this store just because of her. Very friendly, very helpful, and seems to know her stuff pretty well. At least about the knives.
I’ve been to bigger SLT’s. I really like the one in Seattle, and the one in PDX across from Powell’s City of Books. But this one is right up there with the bigger ones. And definitely friendlier than most (not to say that the others aren’t friendly…)
So many gadgets to choose from. Most things are priced fairly, but there are expensive items in the store also. I went in there today, and walked out with the book «Knives Cooks Love» for $ 4.95…not bad.

I am a Sur La Table veteran and must admit, stopping in at the Bridgeport store was the highlight of my afternoon. If you’re looking for something; or maybe you’re looking for nothing, you will definitely find something you probably already have or don’t really need but want it! It’s a kitchen person’s paradise.
I bought a bunch of their wine charms which stick to your glass. Cute little things. And got a few recipe books too

This is my go-​to place for kitchenware. They are a cheaper, more down-​to-​earth version of Williams Sonoma, but with more variety of hard-​to-​find tools.
Even though it has a French name, it’s a Washington-​based company (according to one employee, anyway). They have a plethora of different items ranging from copper pots to canning jars to linen. They often have sales on some of Cuisinart’s appliances (I bought a citrus juicer and ice cream maker for $ 30 each). They have a wide selection of Le Creseut cast iron pots and enamel cookware.
I recently changed my kitchen to accommodate a switch to a whole foods, plant-​based diet that includes a lot of raw food cooking. They didn’t have everything (there were no high end blenders or dehydrators) but they had a ton of nice canning jars significantly cheaper than the ones I next saw at Whole Foods.
I also got ceramic knives (they don’t oxidize fruits and veggies like metal ones do, so they don’t turn brown), cat dishes (not meant to be, but perfect at $ 3 a piece and bother cheaper and cuter than ones at Petsmart). I had a really hard time finding a large fruit basket anywhere, but finally found it there and it works perfectly.
I was able to buy so many things cheaper than they were on Amazon or that I couldn’t find there. Some things are still expensive, but they’re good quality, for the most part. I bought some really cute Eifel Tower bowls there that were supposed to be dishwasher safe but the edges starting chipping after six months, but they told us to bring them in for an exchange.
Also, I love their clearance section in the back. There’s usually a bunch of good stuff there!

It’s a foodie’s heaven! This place has everything you need from pure vanilla beans to top of the line bakeware and cutesy cookie cutters. You can find dollar store quality spatulas right next to the top of the line Le Creuset ones. It really does have something for everybody.
In addition to great products, their prices are great. They always have a good sale and clearance section. The customer service is wonderful too. Everyone is helpful and the checkout lines move quickly.

Sur La Table is amazing. It’s like a candy store for adult cooks. It’s a magical place filled with dreamy knives, and awe inspiring gadgets.
The staff at this store is great. Always in a great mood, ready to help, and best of all KNOWLEDGEABLE! SO hard to find employees at stores that actually know what you are talking about and where to find it!
I recently had a great customer service experience with them. A friend of mine picked up some mini cupcake wrappers for me because she was up there. When they got to me, it was evident that the wrong ones had been put aside for me. They were candy cups, not cupcake cups! I called the store, they jumped right on it. They shipped me out new, correct ones the same day, and included a return label so that i could send the others back to them. They saved me a two hour trip! Thanks!
Anytime someone wonders what they should gift me, they think: «Sur la table gift certificate.»
#corvSMB

And restauranteurs throughout the Portland metro area wept and said, «Why have you forsaken us?»
My apologies, but the universe was telling me to cook. A few things coalesced this month… it was the combination of the Dutch Oven talk thread (and recipes) arriving on the heels of watching Julie and Julia.
And since I’m an all or nothing kind of girl, I decided to embrace my inner hausfrau and replaced my standard rotation of family friendly meals with a whole new set of recipes [1]. Once I decided to enter the dutch oven arena, my search led me to two brands, Le Creuset (Julia would approve) and Lodge. But never content with just doing the minimum, I decided to buy not one, but two.
His — cast iron for cooking over a campfire with Mr. K
Hers — vibrant colors with enamel interiors for the oven and stovetop
Let’s not be coy. Le Creuset is gorgeous, French and very expensive. So are the majority of products stocked by Sur la Table. After driving myself crazy and drooling over the myriad of options, I finally came to my senses and decided that I could live without Le Creuset. It will be difficult, but I will go on.
Sur La Table stocks many Lodge products as well, but they are all the cast iron variety, so I ultimately ended up purchasing ‘hers’ at another store. Almost as pretty and at a quarter of the price. The staff is wonderful at this location and they do have periodic sales (their huge annual sale is going on right now!). They also carry an intriguing line of Staub cookware. Their dutch ovens have nipples and a dark interior. I’m getting sucked right back in…
The great part about Sur La Table is that they have a large selection of high quality cookware and products. It is an investment in your kitchen. Also, an excellent place to pick up hostess and other gifts since they always have a nice assortment of smaller items.
Beware following my dutch oven footsteps, because home cooking can be just as expensive and addictive as dining out. Julie Powell’s latest book is called, Cleaving: a Story of Marriage, Meat, and Obsession. And I definitely don’t plan on going down that road.
[1] Glorious One-​Pot Meals by Elizabeth Yarnell