[anoop]

OK, I don't cook a whole lot, but I do want to start cooking more than I have in the past.

I used to have a cheap T-FAL set, but got rid of it after I found out that the tephlon use for making the non-stick surface can actually make it into the food when used at high temperatures.

So now, I want to get back to basics with something made of tried and true age old materials that would hopefully be safe and healthier than using non-stick pots.

I visited Williams Sonoma and liked what they had, although I did find their stuff very pricey. I'd appreciate any comments on their Lagostina and All-Clad sets and whether you'd recommend one over the other.

The glass lids by Calphalon, which I saw at Crate and Barrel, look pretty nice. Does one need to be careful about those getting cracked, if for example, placing it in cold water while the lid is hot, or are they pretty resistant to that? Would this be a reasonable choice, or would one of the above brands be better?

Any other suggestions would also be appreciated.

I'm sure this forum gets this type of question a lot, so if you have some kind of FAQ that covers this topic, I'd appreciate that pointer as well.

I am a little hesitant to go out and spend a lot of money when I don't really know how to assess the quality of something, hence my question.

Thanks,
Anoop