What will the form be like if it includes a frequently used food processor, onion peels etc?

The flat surface all the way across has actually gained popularity because of it's practicality. It doesn't block the view of the onion peels, but it actually makes for one flat surface where onion peels have no cracks to get into. It's really easy to wipe clean very quickly.

"There is almost no place else to put small appliances or to prep food, and I cook"

You've answered your own question.

#1, you cook, so that means function is probably your highest priority

#2, you don't currently have room to prep, you need more usable counterspace

A single-level counter is more functional for someone who actually cooks.

Regarding looks...even a bi-level doesn't hide everything -- things are only hidden from people either sitting down or very, very short (<42" tall). I wouldn't worry about it. If your Kitchen is that open, everything is probably visible/on display in your Kitchen anyway. And it's unlikely anyone is going to notice the onion peels on the counter!

However, only you can answer the question of what's more important -- function or looks.

Waterfall...that's up to you, but that style usually encompasses the entire island and is usually shown with single-level islands, not bi-level. Not sure how it would work with a peninsula.

I have a flat-level peninsula, I couldn't imagine losing all that space to a bi-level. And I don't worry about how the kitchen looks when I'm cooking...it's a kitchen and meant to be used. As long as it's cleaned up after the cooking is done, that's all that matters.

The peninsula has proven to be very useful work space for cutting fabric, setting out large servings of food, preparing for my annual 800 cookie give-away...go for a flat surface, it's imminently more useable and useful.

Do you have any pics of what you've seen?

IMO a waterfall counter only works with an island and only in a very contemporary kitchen . A single level counter is just so much more practical and I find with an open kitchen it makes guests part of the experience and if you get into the habit of doing the messy prep before a dinner party it helps a lot to keep the mess under control. My guests hang out in the kitchen no matter what so relax. BTW since you are getting new counters could you show us your kitchen we might even be able to offer some suggestions

No photos yet; this is a planned move. The kitchen is in a Manhattan apt that is otherwise decently spacious; a contemporary look would not be out of place. That said, I don’t see guests gathering in it since it’s 8 x 9 including cabinets! Very helpful to understand that the larger single countertop will expand my prep space.

So my other concern is the small appliances. I have a toaster/convection oven, a Cuisinart, and a Nespresso Lattissima. At least one of these will need to live on this countertop. That means its back will be forever visible to everyone in the living/dining room. (Not worth devoting a whole cabinet to one of those appliance lifter thingies,and no room for an appliance garage; I don’t have that many cabinets). What do I do to make the Cuisinart look permanently presentable there? Put a plant behind it? I do have good light...

I have my coffeemaker, a fancy coffee grinder and my KitchenAid mixer on the counter at all times by the peninsula. They all back up to the wall. The mixer is kept on one of those flexible plastic placemats (like those flexible cutting boards) and I slide it out very easily to use it and then slide it back when I'm done. No appliance has it's back to anyone, but if you don't envision anyone gathering in, or by, the kitchen, why does it matter anyway? Right?

My mother lives in the Bronx and has a galley kitchen. She keeps a lot of her small appliances on the counter which annoys me but it's easier for her even though her cabinets could accommodate the appliances easily.

Thanks. Guests won’t gather in the kitchen but they will be in the adjacent dining/living space. There is no wall on the peninsula to back appliances against because the sink is in the way. To give a better idea I’m attaching a photo of a clone of the apt although I won‘t have these cabinets. The photo is taken from the small entryway to the apt. I plan to hang a small wine rack on the wall btw.

I guess you could have something attractive along the back of the appliance or use one of those appliance covers? You could find a funky fabric and have one made if you're not handy with a sewing machine.

We had a peninsula in a small-ish condo kitchen. It came with a two-level bar. It was awful. We had it cut down and a new, flat, single-level granite top put on, Until we did that it was a useless waste of space. After we had it cut down to one level, I happily rolled, chopped, mixed, etc., on a nice expanse. We had had high stools for the stupid bi-level counter. I sold them and bought some shorter stools. We liked those better, too.

Can you move the sink to the right, a bit away from the wall, just enough to have space for your appliances to the left of the sink? That would give you some wall space to shove your appliances and even have them plugged in. You don't need that little, short wall behind the sink, and it looks like your peninsula continues past that. Moving the sink away from the wall far enough to keep your three appliances on the counter, and having one large, flat surface would give you more functionality. I find that if I put my small appliances away, they never seem to come out, sitting unused, unloved in a dark corner of the underworld.

Possibly moving the sink over might be an option if you are remodeling

@Bonnie Riley and @Maria Pifke for Ethan Allen Inc. Schaumburg, great idea to move the sink a bit! Which doesn’t seem to be a big job because there seems to be enough room not to need to relocate the dw haha. Ok, so one level and moving the sink. Problem solved. Thanks everybody!

@artsfan - I hope you love it, whatever you do. I'm in the midst of doing a 1980s kitchen, and there are so many considerations, decisions, and angst with our projects. I wish you all the luck to find the perfect solution and no regrets.