Anything Co. Maekake Japanese Traditional Apron
Don’t be fooled by this apron’s stunning design—it’s actually been used as a functional piece of workwear for centuries in Japan. They’re produced in Toyohashi, Aichi Prefecture (the last remaining area of production in Japan) and made from durable cotton that’ll stand up to frequent use. These aprons from Anything Co. are made on century-old Toyota shuttle looms (yes, the car company, which originally started out as a loom manufacturer). They’re colored with a rich indigo using resist-dyeing techniques, which allows the original white shade of the fabric to come through in the design and not bleed or fade over time. We love how the color fades a bit with use—typically, this is a sign in Japan of well-worn beauty. The thick belts are also colored with white and red, both considered lucky colors, and are sturdy enough to offer lower back support when tied in a traditional fashion.
Miya Company Sendan Blue Sushi Set
Your takeout has never looked so good. Made in Japan, this sushi set built for two includes two sets of wooden chopsticks, two large rectangular plates and two small bowls for soy sauce—all stunningly packaged in a gift box. The unique navy and white swirled design gives a modern twist to classic Japanese blue and white pottery.
ChefSofi Cheeseboard and Knife Set
Create a stunning charcuterie tray in minutes using ChefSofi’s excellently thought-out cheeseboard. Complete with four ceramic bowls, four cheese knives and a two-layer swiveling acacia wood board, this German-made board has space for all the crackers, hard and soft cheeses, olives, meats, spreads and nuts that you’ve been dreaming of. We appreciate that the swiveling board reveals a storage compartment to keep all four knives safe, which is just as handy as the four ceramic bowls that are removable if extra space is needed to add more goodies. Take your entertaining to the next level or gift this board to the host/hostess in your life.
De La Cal Ceramics Traditional Olive Tray
Hand-shaped on a potter’s wheel, this hand-painted olive tray features a thoughtful design with three compartments: one for olives, one for pits and one for toothpicks to spear the olives (both smaller bowls are fixed to the tray). It’s the traditional style of olive dish found throughout Spain and is equal parts beautiful as it is functional.
Elevated Craft Double Walled Hybrid Cocktail Shaker
This cleverly designed cocktail shaker from Elevated Craft includes upgraded features that solve common problems for a home bartender—while keeping you from making a mess. Founder Adam Craft spent two years developing a tool that prevents leakage, sticking and freezing your hands. With double-walled stainless steel and vacuum insulation, this shaker will make the drink ice cold while protecting your hands and keeping condensation at a minimum. Its high-capacity measuring top, with both ounces and milliliters, brings an element of precision to craft cocktails, and the screw-on lid is secured with gaskets to prevent leaks while shaking. A strainer built into the pour spout keeps seeds, ice and other large items out of the glass. And the generous size holds up to 750 milliliters (that’s an entire standard bottle of liquor) even as the slim design makes it easy to grip and shake.
Verve Culture Small Molinillo Whisk
This intricate wooden whisk from Mexico is the traditional tool used to prepare Mexican hot chocolate. Each molinillo is beautifully carved by hand from a single piece of alder wood, resulting in a one-of-a-kind product. And the designs aren't just decorative—the extra nooks and crannies are great for aerating liquid, resulting in an especially creamy drink. Simply roll the shaft back and forth between your palms to whip milk into a light, frothy consistency. For the most authentic experience preparing your hot chocolate and a visually appealing addition to your kitchen, Mexico's time-tested molinillo is perfect.
Suncraft Silicone Cooking Chopsticks
Streamline your cooking with cooking chopsticks—replace your spatula, tongs, whisk and spoon as you turn, flip, mix and stir with one sleek tool. Longer than chopsticks designed for dining, cooking chopsticks keep your hands far from heat and flames, which makes them safer for risky jobs like deep-frying. And they’re more precise than tongs or spatulas: Gripping food with the pointed ends means you can target even pieces or parts of a single ingredient with extra dexterity, for specific control and even cooking. Suncraft’s are simultaneously fine enough to pick up a single noodle to test doneness or an herb sprig while plating, while also being sturdy enough to toss a whole stir-fry with speed and confidence.
What sets these apart from other cooking chopsticks is a small scoop for seasoning at the thicker end, perfectly sized to add a pinch of salt, pepper or spice while cooking, and a textured point on the narrow end, which provides traction and helps grip food better. Made from durable silicone—which won’t scratch up your pans—these chopsticks are heat resistant up to 446°F and dishwasher-safe.
Guelaguetza Designs Plates — Set of 4
Handcrafted exclusively for Milk Street by potters in Puebla, these glazed ceramic plates are painted in the distinctive Talavera style, whose intricate designs evolved from Spanish artisans who arrived in the 16th century. Coming in a set of four, each plate is one of a kind, with slightly different brush strokes and sizes.
Miya Company Navy Blue Ombre Chopstick Set
Made in Japan, this set of chopsticks—two pairs per set—combine a classic, minimalist silhouette with a modern colorway. Navy blue fades to a stunning sky color toward the bottom of each chopstick, with a dark wood tip that adds a touch of elegance. These chopsticks pair perfectly with Miya Company’s gorgeous blue and white ceramic tablewares.
Miya Company Rice Bowls — Set of 4
Made in Japan, this set of four stunning ceramic rice or soup bowls give a modern take on the classic Japanese pottery. Each bowl has a unique, abstract pattern in black and white hues and a slightly flared top rim for a simple, elegant design that’s home in both a minimalist or maximalist kitchen.
Miya Company Blue & White Soup Spoon Set
Made in Japan, this adorable set of four ceramic spoons are equal parts sleek and charming. Each spoon features a different blue and white design—from scallops to floral—all giving a modern touch to the traditional blue and white pottery of Japan.
Serrv International Double Vine Bread Warmer in Natural Basket
Made by artisans in Bangladesh, this beautiful terra cotta container warms rolls and bread through contact after the pottery has been heated up in the oven. Fashioned from terracotta clay that’s gathered by hand along riverbanks before it’s cleaned, thickened, molded and fired at a low temperature, this oven-safe stone features a lovely nature-inspired design as well as a whitewash, which softens the material’s natural reddish hue. It sits in a handwoven basket of kaisa grass and palm leaves, which are fast-growing local resources.
L'atelier du Vin Oeno Motion Wine Key
Sleekly modern and classic at the same time, this wine key from L’Atelier du Vin was designed in France with materials that will last. The vertical lever corkscrew is larger than other models we’ve tried and sturdily built, but what it lacks in compactness, it makes up for in style—made from graceful lines of chrome and solid walnut, the key will blend in with classic and modern bar tools. The device opens bottles and expels the cork in a single sweeping motion of the ergonomic lever (a fan-favorite feature for anyone with limited wrist mobility). A foil cutter comes built in, and the jaw is designed to fit bottlenecks in a range of sizes. The key comes with a spare steel spiral worm and a ready-to-gift box.
Miya Company Blue and White 5-inch Square Plate Set
Made in Japan, this set of four small square plates comes in a handy gift box and each feature a different corresponding floral pattern. Two feature small blossoms and two feature more organic vine patterns–all are beautiful and give a modern answer to traditional Japanese blue and white pottery.
Suncraft Silicone Serving Spoon
Our very own Matthew Card (our creative director of recipes and products) loves this functional spoon that’s stylish enough to use at the table: “This silicone serving spoon is interesting in that it’s short with a rounded, really comfortable wood handle. The broad, concave paddle is stiffer than other silicone tools and features steep sides ideal for scooping rice, stews, etc. It's stiff enough to actually scrape up stuck-on bits, making it really the perfect tool for nonstick cookware. All the Suncraft material is really well thought out, beautifully made and durable, crafted for long-term use.” Use this for serving pasta, paella, roasted veggies and more.
Vietri Campagna Collection Pasta Bowl
These hand-painted ceramic pasta bowls from Vietri’s flagship Campagna collection are a playful, heirloom-quality addition to any tabletop. Inspired by pastoral southern Italy, every unique piece features a whimsical hand-rendered animal motif. Choose between a horse, rooster, cow, pig, fish or bird, plus vibrant wildflowers or bright coastal algae native to the area. Serve pasta in Vietri’s Large Serving Bowl and dish it up in these mix-and-match, dishwasher-safe bowls. Terracotta, locally sourced from the Amalfi Coast, has been used for Italian ceramics for centuries: the first pieces were dried in the sun. Today, Vietri’s artisans make the Campagna line the same way ceramics have been made for 500 years, but instead of using the sun’s heat to set each piece, each one is fired in a kiln. Careful control of the kiln’s temperature influences each unique piece’s shape and glaze colors. The Campagna line’s cheeky name refers both to the line’s inspiration—“campagna” is Italian for “countryside”—and Vietri’s origins in Campania, a rural, coastal region of southern Italy.
Miya Company Terra Green Ramen Bowls — Set of 2
Fired in Japan’s Gifu Prefecture, an area famous for its tablewares, these ohgigatadon-style ramen bowls are functional and contemporary. Hand-glazed with a stunning mottled/matte finish, the stoneware bowls are equal parts durable and elegant. The mossy color was inspired by Japan’s beautiful gardens and the easily stackable fan-shaped design—a sleeker take on the traditional shape—is a popular choice among Japan’s high-end eateries. The bowls come in a set of two.
De La Cal Ceramics Multicolor Traditional Olive Oil Dispenser
Hand-shaped on a potter’s wheel and hand-painted in traditional Spanish colors, this oil dispenser is both beautiful and functional next to your stove or on the table. With a snug spout that ensures an even and controlled pour, you’ll love the artisanal craftsmanship and practical design.