Bistro Set
Jan 2, 2015 16:49:56 GMT -5
Post by Aaryana on Jan 2, 2015 16:49:56 GMT -5
My first impression, since I know you're all curious as kitties, is that this set is really nice! Here we go...
Grace's Bistro Set
Item# CGD22
Grace loves the sidewalk bistros in Paris! This set is just like one from her story, featuring:
A table for one with a faux-marble top and a cast-metal base
A red metal chair with the shape of the Eiffel Tower on the back and a blue seat cushion
Faux fruit
A pretend croissant
A make-believe wedge of brie
A paper menu
An Eiffel Tower-shaped menu holder
A plate
A checkered napkin
A carafe of pretend sparkling water
A water glass with a pretend lemon and straw
A two-sided sidewalk menu with faux chalkboards
Two sheets of menu stickers for customizing the sign
In the box. Love that it's an AG box and love the new GOTY boxes they're doing.
First look! It's packaged well to protect the table and chairs. The other items seem to be secure.
All spread out! The sign is very plastic but stands up okay. It needs some weight in the bottom, as it tends to fall over very easily. At least it doesn't seem likely to break in falling down. The table top is plastic, the same material as the counters on the cart. This a thick, heavy duty plastic. I don't mind it, because real marble would be too heavy and also much more expensive. The table legs/stand is metal. It gives it some weight. I think this is well done and higher quality than the pastry cart. Same for the chair. The chair is all metal with a nice cushion. The cushion is thick material and padded with a cute button. The ties are sturdy. I think it will hold up to a toddler trying to sit on it. While not "heavy", it is made very well. The chair alone probably weighs as much as the entire pastry cart. The chair is not as heavy as Kit's chairs, but still very nice. Love the table and chair! Not so impressed with the sign. I'll review the rest individually.
Menu board: Grade C+
Table: Grade A
Chair: Grade A+
Cushion: Grade A+
The small accessories to this set are adorable! I think the quality of the food items is better than those included with the pastry cart.
The plate is so cute! Only the croissant will fit on it. It is a solid plastic. It will hold up well. Plate: Grade A
Croissant. Nicely textured and nice color. The size seems appropriate for a sandwich croissant. It's a solid material and doesn't feel cheap. Only good things to say here. Love this piece! Croissant: Grade A+
I'm not as crazy about the berries. I'll likely substitute some Pippaloo strawberries when using this set. The texture is so-so, as is the color. Fruit: Grade B-
The water jar is adorable! It's a nice weight and material, and I love the detail of the bubbles in the water. All good things here. Great piece!
Closer detail on the water jar. It says "1 litre"! So accurate! This kind of attention to detail is what I love about American Girl products, what I've missed, and what I enjoy seeing a return to. This is NOT an OG product! Jar: Grade A+
The cheese wedge is cute, maybe a little big, but seems to be well made/solid. It could use some better coloring, especially around the edges, but it works. Brie: Grade B+ (for color)
I so wanted to love the wee Eiffel Tower menu holder. I have a thing for the Eiffel Tower, and I was super excited to see this wee one. However, it's plastic and rather flimsy. I can see the top snapping off with rough play.
The menu slides in easily, but it will be bent over time by staying in the holder. It bends it slightly and will probably crease. As long as it's removed when not in play, I think it will be fine though. Menu holder: Grade C
bistro13 by SkaterMichelle, on Flickr
Standard paper menu. It's thicker material, like a business card, versus sheet paper. It's cute, and I like the Eiffel Tower detail. Front of menu: Grade A-
I really like that the menu has French words and accurate menu items. The American description/translation underneath is nice for young kids who may not be familiar with the language. I expected only English words on this, so I was happy to see the French words. Again, attention to detail. Back of menu: Grade A
Cloth napkin! I was expecting this to be the current cruddy paper that AG has been using for napkins for some reason. It is a nice cloth that folds out to be big enough to cover Grace's lap. I'll be able to use this for picnicking, etc. Well done on a versatile item. Napkin: Grade A
Grace enjoys a snack at the bistro! She can easily hold the water glass and jar as well as the pastry and cheese. Very nice set. I highly recommend it. My only complaints with the set are the menu board and menu holder (cheap plastic) and the fact that it only comes with one setting. Because the food and chair are such nice quality, I would happily pay $100 for the set to include an extra chair, water glass, plate, napkin and croissant. The cheese wedge and fruit can be shared. In fact, I like the set enough that I would probably consider 2 bistros versus a bistro and the pastry cart. The pieces in this set just seem better made. Even though the metal is the similar on each, the table and chair have thicker piping and seem much more sturdy. Either the table or the chair weighs as much as the whole pastry cart. If it goes on sale, I will definitely buy a second set to have more place settings. I may do so anyway.
Overall: Grade A
Grace's Bistro Set
Item# CGD22
Grace loves the sidewalk bistros in Paris! This set is just like one from her story, featuring:
A table for one with a faux-marble top and a cast-metal base
A red metal chair with the shape of the Eiffel Tower on the back and a blue seat cushion
Faux fruit
A pretend croissant
A make-believe wedge of brie
A paper menu
An Eiffel Tower-shaped menu holder
A plate
A checkered napkin
A carafe of pretend sparkling water
A water glass with a pretend lemon and straw
A two-sided sidewalk menu with faux chalkboards
Two sheets of menu stickers for customizing the sign
In the box. Love that it's an AG box and love the new GOTY boxes they're doing.
First look! It's packaged well to protect the table and chairs. The other items seem to be secure.
All spread out! The sign is very plastic but stands up okay. It needs some weight in the bottom, as it tends to fall over very easily. At least it doesn't seem likely to break in falling down. The table top is plastic, the same material as the counters on the cart. This a thick, heavy duty plastic. I don't mind it, because real marble would be too heavy and also much more expensive. The table legs/stand is metal. It gives it some weight. I think this is well done and higher quality than the pastry cart. Same for the chair. The chair is all metal with a nice cushion. The cushion is thick material and padded with a cute button. The ties are sturdy. I think it will hold up to a toddler trying to sit on it. While not "heavy", it is made very well. The chair alone probably weighs as much as the entire pastry cart. The chair is not as heavy as Kit's chairs, but still very nice. Love the table and chair! Not so impressed with the sign. I'll review the rest individually.
Menu board: Grade C+
Table: Grade A
Chair: Grade A+
Cushion: Grade A+
The small accessories to this set are adorable! I think the quality of the food items is better than those included with the pastry cart.
The plate is so cute! Only the croissant will fit on it. It is a solid plastic. It will hold up well. Plate: Grade A
Croissant. Nicely textured and nice color. The size seems appropriate for a sandwich croissant. It's a solid material and doesn't feel cheap. Only good things to say here. Love this piece! Croissant: Grade A+
I'm not as crazy about the berries. I'll likely substitute some Pippaloo strawberries when using this set. The texture is so-so, as is the color. Fruit: Grade B-
The water jar is adorable! It's a nice weight and material, and I love the detail of the bubbles in the water. All good things here. Great piece!
Closer detail on the water jar. It says "1 litre"! So accurate! This kind of attention to detail is what I love about American Girl products, what I've missed, and what I enjoy seeing a return to. This is NOT an OG product! Jar: Grade A+
The cheese wedge is cute, maybe a little big, but seems to be well made/solid. It could use some better coloring, especially around the edges, but it works. Brie: Grade B+ (for color)
I so wanted to love the wee Eiffel Tower menu holder. I have a thing for the Eiffel Tower, and I was super excited to see this wee one. However, it's plastic and rather flimsy. I can see the top snapping off with rough play.
The menu slides in easily, but it will be bent over time by staying in the holder. It bends it slightly and will probably crease. As long as it's removed when not in play, I think it will be fine though. Menu holder: Grade C
bistro13 by SkaterMichelle, on Flickr
Standard paper menu. It's thicker material, like a business card, versus sheet paper. It's cute, and I like the Eiffel Tower detail. Front of menu: Grade A-
I really like that the menu has French words and accurate menu items. The American description/translation underneath is nice for young kids who may not be familiar with the language. I expected only English words on this, so I was happy to see the French words. Again, attention to detail. Back of menu: Grade A
Cloth napkin! I was expecting this to be the current cruddy paper that AG has been using for napkins for some reason. It is a nice cloth that folds out to be big enough to cover Grace's lap. I'll be able to use this for picnicking, etc. Well done on a versatile item. Napkin: Grade A
Grace enjoys a snack at the bistro! She can easily hold the water glass and jar as well as the pastry and cheese. Very nice set. I highly recommend it. My only complaints with the set are the menu board and menu holder (cheap plastic) and the fact that it only comes with one setting. Because the food and chair are such nice quality, I would happily pay $100 for the set to include an extra chair, water glass, plate, napkin and croissant. The cheese wedge and fruit can be shared. In fact, I like the set enough that I would probably consider 2 bistros versus a bistro and the pastry cart. The pieces in this set just seem better made. Even though the metal is the similar on each, the table and chair have thicker piping and seem much more sturdy. Either the table or the chair weighs as much as the whole pastry cart. If it goes on sale, I will definitely buy a second set to have more place settings. I may do so anyway.
Overall: Grade A