Oil & Vinegar

Huge variety of olive oils… love all of them… the chili olive oil is unique!

I don’t think I could have written a better review than everyone else’s descriptive reviews. I just want to add my testimonial.
«Oil & Vinegar has added life to home cooked meals. My Chef Boyardee dishes turned into Chef Achatz creations. I sprinkle a little white truffle oil on my eggs and Bam… Gourmet. I add a touch of oil to my tater tots and magically turns into Le Tot. Thanks Oil & Vinegar.» — Luan N.
I have managed to insult two famous chefs in one sentence. But I’m sure Chef Boyardee has a sense of humor.

So… I have a confession to make. Don’t tell my boss, but this store concept is super ridiculously tempting to me to drop everything and open up a franchise. I’m thinking that somewhere in G-​town or near Logan Circle would work well. Possibly even Capitol Hill. I’d seen the shop walking one direction along the bank of shops at Old Orchard, but we didn’t walk in the door until we headed back from the other end. Once I was through the doors, I was instantly sold.
The sight that immediately greeted my eyes was the wall of huge transparent bottles hanging against the back wall. The wall itself was lit, and the bottles each had a different oil in them — olive oil, flaxseed oil, grapeseed oil… more. And they glowed with different colors and tints each. And I was mesmerized. I wanted them all.
Oil & Vinegar, as the name suggests, sells various dipping and cooking liquids. Something on the order of 500 products in total. But that’s including edibles — breads, spices, and more. There were tons and tons of different sampling cups set out with easily two or three dozen different types of oils and vinegars to dip little chunks of crusty bread into with toothpicks. The balsamic vinegar with truffle oil had myself and the boy moaning in pleasure.
I ended up picking up a bottle of the garlic grapeseed oil to give to my mom as a random gift. It was a gorgeous clear light green color, somewhat thin, and absolutely delightfully garlicky. It looked amazing in the little glass bottle that it was poured into and stoppered in. The gentleman who helped us out was both friendly and knowledgeable, explaining more about the store concept and the various products. I didn’t realize grapeseed oil had such a high smoke point and was so healthy for cooking! Definitely something my mom would like.
Just note that you have to purchase one of their various size bottles. They have a huge assortment, and they range in price depending on size. It’s kind of a sunk cost, but you can also bring your bottle back, once you’ve used all of the oil inside, for future refills of other products. So basically it’s a one-​time cost. Then the oils themselves are charged by volume, with the one we purchased at $ 6 per 100ml.
Sadly, the closest one to me is in Charlottesville. Definitely in driving distance, but far enough away to keep me from seriously contemplating going. Perhaps on a weekend road trip for some wine tasting and a visit to Monticello. Please, please open a store in DC? For me?

I love olive oil and anything associated to it. Fused oils, spices, blends, dressings, and vinegars, they have it all. It’s a small store but they have managed to fill it with sample stations, accessories (plates, bowls, oil bottles), product, books, and a whole wall of 29 different clear containers of oil and vinegars on tap from around the world. With outposts in twelve countries, the European-​based gourmet shop started in 1999 and has traveled all over to sample oils so they can bring them back for our enjoyment. I can’t say enough about the staff, such ideas on how to use the products and what to pair them with. Their slogan is «Passionate About Taste» and you truly get that feeling from them.
****They also like to have fun, right now they are having a sale, you walk in and pick a mystery bag with a price on it ($ 15, 20, 25, 30, 45) guaranteed that whatever is in it will be worth double what you paid and what’s inside is usually an assortment of what’s in the store. This is great for me people like me who like to cook and love to try new things.

Very inviting store that lets you try olive oils, vinegars, and other dressings from around the world. Sampling stations are throughout the store. The highlight is on the back wall, where they have olive oils on tap in clear glass vessels — like kegs, so you can buy whatever amount you want. Great idea!
We wound up getting some sherry-​infused olive oil. As a bonus, when you buy a container of oil, you can return to Oil & Vinegar to have it re-​filled with whatever you like. The employees were very knowledgeable and friendly, so my husband and I felt free to ask questions.

What a neat idea. Exotic vinegars and infused oils make for something easy to have around the house to serve up to guests. Great for gifts and the staff is extremely helpful. Plenty of testers to make choosing from all of the options easier and the presentation makes for an easy sell. If you are walking through old orchard mall, don’t miss this place!