By GirlFriday:
When I was asked to go out and find a couple of amazing last minute gifts at places that shoppers might not normally think of for the holidays, I found myself walking into Artisan Kitchen and Baths on Amherst Street. Upon doing so, I stumbled upon a truly fortuitous experience my friends, and it has really changed my view of a particular business when it comes to some neat gadget shopping options.
Since Artisan Kitchen and Baths is normally thought of as a place to outfit a kitchen, some people might discount it as a place to go when looking for gifts; tending to think of it only as a place to shop when embarking upon a remodeling project. But what surprised me most are the additions one can make to their home, without ever even looking at a tile or cabinet sample, or breaking out the tape measure, or even the credit card for that matter.
The Looftlighter Electric Firestarter was probably one of the neatest gadgets I’ve seen all year. Whether you’re grilling at home, or lighting a nightly fire in your fireplace, this tool really comes in so handy. It blows a hot airstream to light your fire in seconds, so there are no sparks and no need for lighter fluid. I know many an avid griller who refuses to use lighter fluid products because of the taste it transfers to food, not to mention the chemicals. Because of those reasons most of us can turn to chimney starters, but those are not the best if you’re in a hurry. That’s why I think this is such a cool concept, and one that I’ve not seen sold anywhere else locally. Being that it retails for under $100, it would make the perfect gift for those who have everything.
The next product I was pleasantly surprised to see when walking around the showroom was The Big Green Egg. Some of you are probably familiar with these, as they’ve been around for a while, but I was not. These Eggs are a smoker, oven, and grill all in one; this ceramic wonder is probably the most versatile addition to any chefs arsenal of “tools” I can think of. Whether its the perfect sear on meats, or seafood achieving a flavorful crust, yet retaining an ultra moist interior; or for the person who is always perfecting pizza at home on a stone in their oven. This will be a dream come true, allowing you to achieve a wood-fired oven pizza without the cost involved, or space needed, to build one of those mammoth outdoor ovens. Finally, the smoker aspect allows you to slow cook meats upwards of 16-18 hours, delivering delectable results.
This truly is an all in one marvel. Once you’ve tasted the results of this amazing piece of equipment (or experiencing the self-cleaning aspect), you might think twice next time you think about firing up an ordinary grill or oven. When I inquired about how much these “dream machines” must cost, I was reassured that there are a range of sizes, from small to extra large – there really is a size for every budget. Typically, Artisans “Egg packages” run from $379-$1099, so I think that buying one of these instead of that ubiqituous high ticket electronic item would be a welcome change for most, especially if culinarily inclined.
M-F: 9:00am – 5:00pm
Sat: 9:00am – 1:00pm
Wed: 9:00am – 8:00pm
Artisan Kitchen and Baths
200 Amherst Street
Buffalo, New York
716.873.4100