Best of Boston

2003 Best Cookware

Kitchen Arts

Stepping into this small Newbury Street shop is more inspiring than a cooking show could ever be. The shelves are crammed with bakeware, pots, pans, appliances, and an envy-inducing selection of knives from makers including Henckels, plus such tempting doodads as neon-colored silicone pot holders. It’s easy to imagine whipping up perfect little pastries in those scalloped tartlet pans or hearty, crowd-pleasing casseroles in the brightly colored Le Creuset French ovens. Can’t cook? Kitchen Arts has you covered there, too, with a supply of crime-scene tape for use when kitchen exploits go awry.

161 Newbury St., Boston, 617-266-8701,