Walk into any restaurant or cafe kitchen and you're sure to find a few things they all have in common—the nutty smell of fresh butter, the sizzle of garlic hitting the pan...and butcher block ...

Designed to be used in meat processing, the aptly named butcher block is a favorite surface for countertops in the kitchen. It stands up well to contact with sharp knives — without dulling blades — ...

The instant real wood replaces sterile stone, a kitchen changes character. Sunlight dances across the grain, the surface warms beneath forearms dusted with flour, and evening meals feel more intimate ...