We tend to associate carafes with Parisian street cafés and shmancy high end dining, but they can have a place at home, too! Serving wine, juice, or even just plain water out of a carafe is an easy way to add a touch of elegance to a dinner party. Here are a few we're currently coveting...
• Cora Carafe from CB2, $9.95 - hand-blown glass and a sleek modern design (via Black Eiffel).
• Glass Carafe from Marywibis, $50 - hand-painted design and an elegant hourglass shape. Wouldn't this design look gorgeous filled with a pale pinot grigio or rosé?
• Riedel Decanter via Williams-Sonoma, $49 - Riedel is one of the top companies for quality glassware, and this is one of their most classic (and affordable) designs. It's appropriate for both red and white wines, and can obviously be used for other beverages as well.
• Ona Pitchers from Crate and Barrel, $16.95-$26.95 - A little whimsical but still functional. (This picture also makes us crave sangria...mmm...sangria.)
• Woodbury Pitchers from Simon Pearce, $65-$130 - Not all carafes need to have swooping curves! These pitchers are a refreshing change from the usual.
Do you use carafes?
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Giada used the smallest Woodbury pitcher to drizzle a balsamic vinegar reduction over skewers of watermelon, basil, and tomato. Yum!
I have the large Ona and never use it - it's a pain to clean. I imagine especially difficult if you have fruit in it, as shown. I also bet the small one is even more of a pain to clean.
i have the small ona and i just love the shape... unfortunately, kat is right - biggest pain ever to clean... you essentially can't clean it.
Thanks for the heads-up! I was considering getting the Ona, but now I'll opt for something else...
I have one similar to the Ona, but I got it at Walmart! Yes, it IS hard to clean, especially if you put orange juice with pulp in it!
When it comes to cleaning annoying curvies like the Ona, or hand-washing my glasses, I buy something similar to this at Target...they come in 2-packs in fun colors, in the baby bottle aisle. They get in all the nooks and crannies since the bristles are such thin but strong nylon. Plus the swirly swivel action takes care of the elbow grease (think turning a crank). With the Target ones the handles are nice and thick and the little scrubber at the end folds up into the handle.
http://www.amazon.com/BABY-Swivel-Nipple-Bottle-Brush/dp/B001CAZGMY