I don't think "A" will be used for prep space; the prep space will likely be the other corner between the sink and cooktop.

"A" will be set down space for the oven, and for me, a likely space to have and use small countertop appliances. The coffee maker, canisters, and things that tend to stay on the counter in most kitchens could be unobtrusively kept here. (So in that regard it may be prep space to some extent.)

Where is your microwave?

The work area of the kitchen is still pretty much oriented away from the living space. Is your cooking style such that you are really intensely cooking while entertaining, or are most things prepared in advance?

Will the peninsula be useful to you where it is? Would you want to shift it toward the working area and have it for baking?

I agree with Palimpset about area A not being your main prepping space. You could lower that whole side for baking?

And that is a good point about your entertaining style. With guests, if you're prepping and cooking, you'll be facing away from wherever they could be.

The doorway to your kitchen leads the eye straight to the dishwasher?

On your plan, what is to the left of the kitchen? What is to the right? Is that an outside wall? If yes, have you considered adding a window to that wall?

Why do you want to open the kitchen to the living room? Do you like people hanging out in the kitchen during parties? Do you want people to see the dishwashing from the living room? Or just the eating area? Or some other focal point in the kitchen?

Why do you want to have a peninsula or island? Just for buffet are for parties? Or do you want to also use it as prep area or eating area?

I also have a U shaped kitchen and will be adding a peninsula. My sink, cooktop, and wall oven are placed on the 3 different walls like yours, but the refrigerator is to the left of the dishwasher and sink. I am going to add the peninsula to the wall with the oven, so it will extend towards the refrigerator. I don't like people hanging out in the kitchen during parties and I think this design separates the kitchen as prep area.

I don't like how your refrigerator is located next to the oven and next to the door. I think what's missing is a landing area for food on the way to the dining room. How much space do you have between the door and the refrigerator? How about between the oven and the corner turn of the countertop? Are you going to put the wall oven in a tall cabinet or under the countertop for additional countertop space?

I have a similar corner to A in the kitchen being installed now, and functionally had it in my old kitchen, though a little less square. It's not prep space per se, but it is useful. In the old kitchen I kept things I didn't use much but wanted to have out in the deep part of the corner, the sides of the L were good for landing space, as well as things like stirring a pot from the oven and sandwich making.

How big are the returns? That is, how much open frontage is on each leg? It looks like you have at least 18" on both sides, right? That's enough to work well. In your case, there's landing area by the stove. Secondary prep, if you like chopping an onion by the stove. Landing space for the oven. Etc.

I have to admit that I liked that "island" b/w the kitchen & LR...

No, "A" will not be your main prep space, but it might be an additional prep space. The main prep space will most likely be where there's a water source...and that's next to the sink.

Does the LR/DR doorway have to start where it does? Can you maybe shift it to the left 6" to 12"? Can the posts be wherever you want them?

How does this look?

(Green dotted lines are lines of sight)

What I did: Moved the 12" counter, Refrigerator, & Oven stack to the left approx 34". This move gives you approx 4-1/2' room b/w the ovens and the range counter to work in [Note: If that isn't a 12" counter to the left of the refrigerator, I recommend you put one in for landing space.]
Which means you now have room for a prep sink next to the oven stack
Leaving you with approx 36" of work space + the 24" of space around the corner to the range for prepping.
"Built in" the refrigerator to be look more finished. Full-depth cabinet above the refrigerator + surround it by 3/4" finished end panels.

You now have 2 prime locations for prepping...b/w the main sink & range and b/w the prep sink & range.

You might consider putting in a 6" filler pullout b/w the tall oven stack & prep sink to give you more elbow room b/w them...that would reduce the prep space to 30" + 24". I think that would be enough and be an acceptable compromise...YMMV. Next, I opened up the wall b/w the DR & Kitchen in that corner. This give you "pass through" space b/w the two rooms.
I added a post that lines up & matches the other two (flanking the LR/DR doorway) in the pass through in case you need another one. I'm not sure how that affects the super susan in the corner. I'm hoping the post will fit in the "empty" space that super/lazy susans have in the back corner. (Or, make the post narrower to fit in the "extra" space you'll have b/c of the 30" deep counters on the range wall.)

The LR/DR doorway and pass through are approx the same widths.

BTW...have you considered 15" deep upper cabinets (instead of the standard 12")?

The range hood...if you like and the budget allows, I would consider putting in a decorative hood/mantle...it would be seen from the DR as well as the table area and would make a nice focal point.

Views/Lines of Sight:

From LR & DR on the left, the view of the DW is now blocked and the view is directed to the table & window area.

From the DR on the right, the range area is in view...that may or may not be acceptable to you (it would be to me to gain the pass through).

++++++++++++

If that section in the bottom left corner was the small pantry you mentioned, then this is what the above layout would look like if it's kept:

You said
I've created a small pantry instead of the walk-in...Where was the walk-in pantry in yesterday's version (in the "layout help please" thread)?

Oops! Forgot to change the "...shift it to the left 6" to 12"..." comment....in the end I shifted it a lot more!

The pantry was from a much older incarnation of her plan. Cook1, what about posting the former (from months ago) 'favorite?' Or did you decide it just wasn't something you could live with at all?

I actually think that it was a good point about the cooking area being hemmed in by the fridge and oven. When it comes time to plate up or set out filled serving bowls as an interim spot between cooking area and dining room or eating area, it'd be nice to have that counter area open...It would make the dining room seem closer and not so much of a chore to get to. Would it be too far to put the fridge across from the table? Or do you want the table to look out on the living room?

If you add about 3 more feet to that space (like I did), it isn't quite so hemmed in...and add the pass through and you have a staging area for food for the DR.

Support of some sort will be needed,as that is a weight bearing wall and I am trying to keep costs down by using posts instead of doing something above.

The doorway can go anywhere--I was just trying to place it closer to the DR because I thought there was supposed to be a door into it.

There wasn't a pantry, or any storage in the first rendition, except for under the island. I added it to the revision.

Usually most of the cooking and prep is done before guests arrive, it is just the plating and cleaning going on during the party. I don't care if people are in the kitchen with me during parties...

Don't know why because the width is the same in both 10""11", but it seems very wide in the last layout by Buehl. Almost too much wasted space.

I think I'd rather have landing space instead of a prep sink next to the oven (it will be a single oven with MV above). Is there enough room to move it over 2 feet?

Thanks for noting the view of the DW--yuck. will fix it.

Here are a few of the older plans:
1. Problem: there is no oven

Suggestions?

where will the garage door be now?

What were your thoughts on the suggested changes I posted other than not wanting the prep sink? [It adds one more post (post #3)]

If you truly want a 2-cook layout that has someone prepping on each side of the range, then I would think about that prep sink. Otherwise you'll probably either have two of you trying to prep b/w the range & sink or one of you on the DW side of the sink & the other range side of the sink...the "sink" being the key item here. (If no water is needed for one of you, then you might prep on the other side of the range, but I'm doubtful that will happen.)

Desertsteph-
The Garage door will be in a hallway that is to the right of, and off of the bottom of the dining room [which is shown as a kitchen in this design]. Here is an image of a different plan but it shows the the hallway above the FR for the garage door. It will mean walking around the diningroom[which we do about a zillion times a day now]
Layout of lower half of DR

The preview button is not working, so I am going to try my luck and see it this image will post. Hopefully it is the right one.