Williams-Sonoma cleans house

Many of us have been thinking about food, food, food for months.

At Williams-Sonoma, they're thinking sale, sale, sale on a number of culinary and tabletop wares.

Take this nut bowl with screw-operated cracker. The bowl is crafted from beech wood, stained a deep, rich walnut. I think of it as an investment piece for entertaining, something you could set out for a big party or an intimate gathering of friends. (I practice what I preach, having amassed enough specialty serving pieces to outfit a caterer.)

Happily, the price of indulging is less these days. Originally priced at $75, the bowl and cracker set is now $39.99. You'll find this and lots of others cookware, linens and gourmet goodies at Williams-Sonoma, in the stores and online.