We love this table - it looks exactly as pictured and does not look cheap at all.  Very well made.  We keep 5 chairs around it, but have a sixth that can be added.  Six makes it slightly scrunched, especially with rectangular place mats.  Circular placemats fit much better when using six chairs.  The top does have grooves in it, but we have not had any issues with crumbs getting stuck in the groves.