The company is best known for its plastic bowls and storage containers, however in recent years has branched out into stainless steel cookware, fine cutlery, chef's knives and other kitchen gadgets.

The vaguely art-deco setting (note the oval mirrors), orange-rose tablecloths, leather chairs and fine cutlery may cater to more conservative souls, but the painter was here for the kitchen exploits.

Generally speaking among connoisseurs of fine cutlery, only knives manufactured in Thiers, France from well established manufacturers from the 19th century are considered "genuine" Sabatier knives.

The very luxury of the surroundings-imported wine, fine cutlery, ice cubes made from filtered water, armed guards at the gate-further emphasized the poverty I would encounter upon my departure.

The company now distributes more than 7,000 products, ranging from $1 vegetable peelers to $300 sets of fine cutlery.

As the people talked, their faces, and the fine cutlery and glass, shone in the flickering, golden light; shadows stretched across the rest of the old saloon, turning it into a place of mystery - even romance.

Similarly, the Arthur Price of England collection of fine English cutlery also features seven bespoke designs available in sterling silver.

The store specialized in fine tableware-the cutlery and metal plate that filled the velvet-draped display niches seemed to glow in the Chicago morning sun.

"We have both Swiss Army knives and fine cutlery because people like tools that are specific to the task," he said.

The tables would be clothed with white cloths and fine cutlery, as befitted the prime dishes which would be prepared in the central kitchen.