Sur La Table — Local services in Alexandria

I signed my husband and myself up for the Date NightSouth American Steak Night cooking class. I thought it would be fun, educational, and a meaningful way to spend quality time together. We both have demanding jobs, and I wanted to try something different from the usual dinner or movie night. While this wasn’t our first cooking class, it was our first one with Sur La Table.

When I registered, I understood that it would be group seating. What I didn’t expect was that we would be cooking as a team, preparing a shared meal with others rather than our own individual dishes. In other cooking classes we’ve attended, each couple cooked their own meal, and wine was typically included. This format is very different — and honestly, a bit off-putting. There’s no wine, no music, nothing to make the environment fun.

What made the experience especially uncomfortable was the hygiene of one of our cooking partners. I noticed her repeatedly digging in her nose, scratching her head, touching her hair, picking at her face, and even cleaning under her nails — all while handling the food we were preparing together. It was extremely unsettling. I didn’t want to embarrass anyone or seem rude, so I quietly disengaged from participating any further. My husband noticed my change in demeanor but didn’t understand why until I told him. After that, he too observed the same behavior and felt equally disgusted.

Because of this, I can confidently say I will not be signing up for another Sur La Table class. This review isn’t meant to request a refund or get anything for free — I simply want others to be aware of what to expect. You’ll be preparing and eating a shared meal handled by strangers, and that might not be for everyone.

Was it worth the $200? Absolutely not. By the time the 2.5-hour class ended at 9:30 PM in Alexandria, most restaurants were closed — and we were starving. It was one of the worst experiences we’ve had for a date night. I would have much preferred preparing a meal where I knew who was handling the food, or better yet, dining at a great restaurant in D.C. and enjoying our evening...

Sur La Table is fantastic! It's an one-stop shop for any and all kitchenware. Whenever you need something kitchen-related, Sur La Table has got you covered. From espresso machines to muffin pans to cleaning supplies, Sur La Table has so much to offer. Cookware, cutlery, dinnerware, and bakeware galore!

Even just browsing the store is an adventure, as you end up finding something you never thought you needed but desperately do. Like avocado slicers, 8-piece seafood kits, Miyabi knives, Le Creuset cast iron pots, juicers, even Nespresso machines. Seriously, Sur La Table has everything. The prices are reasonable too, a cheaper Williams-Sonoma. Sur La Table also frequently has sales and clearances, both online and in-store. Great store to find gifts for everyone without breaking the bank.

I also have to give props to Sur La Table for their attentive and warm customer service. Pretty much every staff member is friendly and helpful.

Additionally, this Sur La Table location offers cooking classes in the back. Check out what they offer online! My boyfriend and I took a Surf & Turf cooking class at this Sur La Table. It was a fantastic date night and we learned some great cooking techniques. The class was led by a professional chef and there were three other instructors/assistants who helped out. We worked with another couple to make beef tenderloin with green peppercorn sauce, seared sea scallops with a blood orange vinaigrette, blasted cauliflower with lemon and chili, and chocolate whiskey souffle. Everything is pretty much diced and measured out for you and you go through the recipe steps/follow the instructor's directions to make each of the dishes.

While I wish that not everything was sliced/measured out and that each couple had their own burner, it was a good opportunity to interact with other people. It's a fun, interactive class and you learn how to make dishes that you'll be able to recreate at home.

Students receive a 10% discount coupon to use at the store for a week...

I ordered 4 Elite sheet pans on January 12th from the online store. (I have shopped Sur La Table in other states and online for years). The sheet pans arrived less than a week later. Two weeks ago I tried them out for the first time. On one, a black burn mark resulted while using the pan to roast chicken thighs at 350 degrees for 30 minutes. I attempted to exchange the pan for another one at my local store in Alexandria, and was told by store employee Hunter that it could not be returned or exchanged, because I should not have used olive oil to marinate the chicken. Mind you, these "elite" pans are "for use up to 450 degrees for baked goods or sheet pan meals". I have used other, cheaper aluminum sheet pans to make the exact same meal and never had this problem. Hunter said I should have used vegetable oil and that there was nothing they could do for me. What ridiculous cooking advice is this from someone who looks like he brings pop tarts in his lunchbox to work? (And who has clearly no clue about customer service). Buyer beware with this company...I've never been unhappy with a product from Sur La Table until now ..clearly there is some defect going on with this product and they are not willing to admit it. I never had to reach out for customer service from this company until today and what an abysmal disappointment it turned out to be. Goodbye Sur La Table, and viva...