Whenever I'm near a Sur La Table I'm drawn in, sometimes the aroma exuding from the place (they have cooking classes). Nope, haven't attempted one of the cooking classes. I'm from Long Island and half Italian (the mom's side) so, with that being said... ;)
Sur La Table always has great seasonal goodies, for esthetics or for cooking with! I some how manage to always leave with an apron and then that caffeine smell draws me over to the other side of the store. Usually a friendly Nespresso rep is there showcasing a machine and a pod (hence the pleasant caffeine smell).
Always well staffed and a well stocked store. If you bake, particularly cookies this place is for you. They have a lazy Suzy of sorts of cookie cutters and quite the variety!