The Beastro Pet Table was styled after a more conventional bistro bar, then scaled down topped with a couple of dog-sized serving bowls. The table is handcrafted from "layered Baltic birch" and retains the natural, attractive wood grain pattern even though the various stains that can be added to it. Not only is the table good for Fido's meals (raising the bowls is said to help with digestion), but this one has a built-in cabinet for storing food, pet supplies or anything else that a pampered pup needs. The table comes in three sizes for medium, large, and extra large dog breeds, but is not available in very small sizes because the utility of the cabinet would be compromised. Prices start at $525 depending on size and choice of finish.

While some want to limit their choices to one type of wine, and others don't pay too much attention to the pairings beyond whether they like the wine or not, picking the wine to accompany a holiday meal can make or break the dinner for others. Red and whites both go with roast turkeys and either is a fine choice for Thanksgiving. Reds work better with hearty beef dishes. Forbes has come up with a few suggestions for the best wines to serve at a holiday dinner, which include: Beaune, Clos de Mouches, Premier Cru, Domaines Joseph Drouhin 2003 ($80); Guidalberto 2003 ($50); Rodney Strong Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2001 ($41); Hugel Gewurztraminer Jubilee 2003 ($41); Gloria Ferrer Blanc de Noir ($20); and Champagne Alfred Gratien Brut Millesime 1997 ($99).

One of their other excellent suggestions is to serve the good wine first, before all the "holiday cheer" has gone to people's heads, and keep the selection simpler for larger groups.

If you're a pepper fan, you probably always had a little thing for those giant pepper mills that some restaurants equip their waitstaff with. This 10-inch Greek Pepper Mill may not quite have the size of those models, but it makes up for it in style. Made in Greece, the pepper mill is made of brass and is modeled after traditional brass coffee mills that were once hugely popular in that area of the Mediterranean. The mill's grinding mechanism cracks the peppercorns before crushing them, which exposes more surface area for a more consistent grind and releases more flavor. The grind is adjustable and the handle/lid are removable. Price: $80.

For some reason, specialty Thanksgiving platters and serveware tend to be rather cheesy, with little pictures of pilgrims or cornucopias adorning them in the worst examples and an overly rustic look on the slightly more stylish side of things. Thankfully, there are at least a few good-looking serving implements out there, like these Chromed Turkey Lifters, which are simple, functional and attractive. They are made out of chrome-plated zinc and measure 4"x9.5". They will give you the support needed to lift even heavy turkey from the roasting plan to a serving platter, then can also be used to serve the individual slices to guests. Price: $18.

Ignacio Ruiz Gutierrez H.

[via Popgadget]

Sold in a set of four, these lovely Ink Blot Plates can be the entertainment as well as the tableware at your next dinner party. Each plate has a unique blot at its center, along with a "haiku-like saying," such as "Dueling Roosters", "Compassion Among Species" and "Unlikely Event." The sayings are meant not to caption the blots, but to provoke further thought about what the designs might contain. The plates are made of porcelain in the US and were designed by Kathleen Walsh .

One additional bonus of using these at a party is that your guests will be sure to clean their plates to reveal the ink blot design in full. Price: $220.

BusinessWeek has an interesting look at where the business elite - executives at some of the country's most successful companies - go to eat. You might think that their favorite spots would be restaurants like Per Se, Alinea or any number of Vegas hotspots, and while they do eat (and enjoy) some meals there, it turns out that they like just about any place that has good food and a friendly atmosphere. For some, it's a neighborhood diner or an unpretentious steakhouse, while others do prefer more upscale eats, but the staff always plays just a big a role as the food. So, you don't have to be an executive to eat like one - and chances are good you've already had a $3 diner breakfast - you just have to recognize and appreciate some of the finer things in life, wherever they are.

The James Beard Foundation is hosting a benefit, Spain's 10 Cocina de Vanguardia, on October 12th in New York that will give guests a chance to experience the cooking of the chefs at the forefront of Spanish cuisine. The evening will include tapas, wine and sherry tastings and a live and silent auction. Some of the auction packages will include a private tapas party for 24 prepared by chef José Andrés, a gourmet tour of Spain for two, a month-long opportunity to learn Spanish and work in the kitchens of three of Spain's top chefs (Adrià, Arzak, and Berasategui) and an all-expenses paid luxury trip for two to Valencia for the America's Cup. Seats are $1000 per person or a group of eight can be seated at a table with Ferran Adrià, Juan Mari Arzak, or Martín Berasategui for $35,000-$50,000.