This place is heaven for your tastebuds. If you've ever spent time eating your way through Europe this is a way to revisit minus the $1200 flight ticket. The oil and vinegars are amazing and there are so many to choose from. It's like a candy store for grownups. This is my go-to place for quick appetizers if we're going to someone's house for dinner. They're great about helping pick out pairings for bread and cheese and meats. I've also found that the prepackaged oil and vinegar boxes make the perfect gift for any foodie or anyone who needs a little palatte pampering. They are adorable little boxes with two oils and two vinegars that pair well together. There are about four different boxes to choose from that rotate with the seasons. For about $20 a box you can't go wrong. I also tend to grab gift certificates from here just because I know people will just love it once they try it. Enjoy! read more

This is by far my favorite foodie place to have opened in Encinitas in the past 10 years! As a chef I really appreciate someone who takes to time to create excellent products with strict quality standards. The selection of fine oils and vinegar's are top notch and each one is available for tasting as well. I recently saw an article on all the fake Italian olive oils being sold in the U.S. and they listed the few distributors that are selling the real deal from Italy, and Baker and Olive was one of the few places listed where you can get that 100% Italian olive oil. My personal favorites are the 18 year Aged Modena Balsamic Vinegar, worth every penny, the Tuscan Herb oil (makes and excellent vinaigrette), Basil oil, Garlic oil, oh and the Strawberry Balsamic vinegar is amazing on strawberries and ice cream and a little basil on top (we ran that as my dessert special at the restaurant one time). Besides the tasty oils and vinegar's, I really love the selection of salts they have, some hard to find ones too. They also have this excellent olive and sun-dried tomato tapenade that goes great on crustinis, and a good variety of honeys as well. Just when you think you're done, at the front is their meat and cheese case, boasting some excellent cheeses from around the world and a great variety of meats (boar salami is a must), fresh olives, and fresh bread on Wednesdays from a great local startup. As you can tell I love this place, it has come to be my go to destination for fine oils and vinegar. I highly recommend checking them out and you'll see what I mean. read more

Doesn't belong in this old shopping center - it's too cool. Great staff! Stayed open after 6pm to accommodate my last minute holiday purchases. I must have tried nearly everything in the store. Jalapeño White Balsamic & the Koroneiki (Nov 2013) came out on top for me. read more

Baker & Olive - Koroneiki EVOO - Cheese Shops Near Me - Encinitas, California

Wow, I just left this place and will never be back. Over a decade ago when they opened it was awesome customer service and a fun tasting experience. I was just in the neighborhood with my Italian husband and insisted we check it out again. HUGE DISAPPOINTMENT. The tall blonde lady was extremely rude at every interaction. The first girl was nice but disappeared in the middle of tasting. The nice lady with the accent was helpful, but they were out of everything we chose ugh. I wanted to buy a little bottle on the counter, as it was the only one. They said it wasn't for sale!? One more snarky comment from the tall blonde and I abandoned my miscellaneous chosen purchases altogether and walked out with nothing! That kind of service and unnecessary attitude does not deserve my hard earned money. Too bad for them because I was coming in to put together a huge gift basket. This is the first time I have ever written such a scathing review for any business or service. read more

Amazing place with fabulous selection of specialty items, best oils and vinegars! Their cheese, sauces, and other items are fabulous! Go visit! read more

Awesome store and service. I love that their wine collection has different varieties and wineries than other stores. They are knowledgeable and helpful. Great supplies for cheese/charcuterie plates, oils and vinegars for cooking, gourmet beans and treats that make for great gifts. I shop here all the time and always find something new. They have been stocking beautiful handmade charcuterie boards from a local artist Manor of Living that I love for gifts ( and one for me too)! I have yet to attend a cooking class but have made some of the recipes as well. Can't wait for those to get going again. Can't say enough about this local little gem. Shop small!! Thanks ladies!! read more

(4-1/2 stars is more like it, but alas no 1/2 stars...) Complete review here: http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/740867#5990742 Just returned from a first visit to B&O. What a wonderful concept, and for the most part executed very well. They've stocked enough separate product areas to keep the interest of most at-home Foodie chefs, at least enough to feel like a very focused Foodies' destination shop. Here are their product lines from what I could gather on this preliminary visit: * Approx 20 different (non-infused) EVOO's, all from the 2010 harvest, all for $15.99 per 375 bottle ($1 more for their only free-stone [pit-less] olive oil...) [Bulk purchasing is also available for restaurants and guzzlers of EVOO!] * Approx 14 different (infused) EVOO's, including a Tartufo Blanco or Negro as well as a Porcini * An 18 year Traditionale Basalmic Vinegar in regular and in a white form * Approx. 16 different (infused) 18 year Traditionale Balasalmic Vinegars * Artisan salts - Fleur de Sel, Sel Fume, Himalayan Pink Salt, various salt and herb mixes such as Butcher's Salt, Fisherman's Salt, and Vegetable Salt * Dried herb mixes - a limited selection of dried herbs and mixes, such as Herbes de Provence * French mustards - didn't explore this very much, but looked like a good offering * French jams and preserves - ditto * Honey - a good variety of French honey * Teas - a very limited selection of teas, (4 varieties), only one of which was a single-variety tea - mostly focused on tea blends * Cheese - a fair selection of cheeses, including Bucheron, Humbolt Fog, Tallegio, Parmegiano Reggiano, and many, many more; think of them as carrying, perhaps, around 35% of Venissimo's stock, with many exact product overlaps * Olives - just one mix of olives that I could see * Salumi and Chorizo - Two Chorizos and four Salumi's; sampled several of the Salumis, which I thought were a weak spot in their product line. I don't know, but by texture they felt like they were machine-stuffed [overpacked] with a synthetic casing. Not a Fra Mani by any means, and even though I'm not a big fan, doesn't reach Knight's level as well. (Unfortunately no Prosciuto or Spanish hams in sight!) * Chocolates - they only carry Askinosie, a super-premium single-origin chocolate - Dark, Dark with Milk, Dark with nibs, and a White, $8.50 a bar, and also small squares at $1 each * Mini Stainless Steel tin with spigot - a scaled-down version of the tins they dispense their oils from * Breads - a good selection of breads, heavy-focused on European dark breads and ryes, but also a good representation of hearth-baked breads. I instantly recognized that some of their breads are sourced from Belen, one of my favorite local bakeries! Ciabatta - $1.25, French Baugette ($3.50 - or was it $2.50?) There were three people in the store, all interacting with the customers. While it looks like the format suits itself for customers to draw their own tasting samples, signage does ask that one ask for assistance. Too bad, as this really slows down and inhibits wide sampling, not to say that I tasted just a few. It's just that it took a while to get enough tastes to just begin getting acquainted with their product, and I felt like I would have covered 3x more had I had free reign... (Though their policy is completely understandable!) It was quite easy to ascertain the two principals of the shop, as the third was giving some questionable answers when asked more detailed questions... (All of their EVOO's are ordered by "intensity", which the assistant said that it runs from it's ability to sustain heat, from room temperature use only to stir fry's... That didn't compute at all with me, and when I got to talk to one of the principals, he described the rating as the intensity of the flavor, something which made a lot more sense...) Talking further with the principals it was very clear that their objective was to stock the best products that can be had but only at a reasonable price point, which I thought to be very commendable vs. the Foodie's Rodeo Drive approach of S.F.'s Ferry Building. Call it affordable luxuries, if you will. So that means some compromises, such as what I noticed in their Salumi. (I bought one anyway to see if it'll grow on me, but I kinda doubt it...) But it's definitely clear that they have a concept which can easily be expanded into other product lines and/or better sources as they find suitable matches. Another key objective in regards to their main product line, their EVOO's, is their focus on freshness and seasonality. (Hurrah!) Currently most of their product is representative of the Southern Hemisphere's 2010 harvest, since that is where the fresh EVOO"s are coming from now. Expect to see more Northern Hemisphere offerings from them as the seasons change! (cont. at link above...) read more

Wow! Balsamic and Olive Oil on a whole new level! The selection of dark and light balsamic, along with the olive oil is totally overwhelming! (In a good way) Both the light and dark balsamics are extremely versatile. I'm in love with the dark Espresso Balsamic which goes great on anything from steak, to salad, to ice cream! The light Grapefruit Balsamic is fantastic in sparkling water, as is the Peach and Meyer Lemon. They also have "Butcher Block" sets that allow you to purchase 4 smaller bottles, two Balsamic and two Olive Oils which is an awesome way to try new items. They rotate the items in the sets and I've found most of my favorites through the inexpensive sets. They would also be PERFECT as a gift! Anyone who enjoys Balsamic or olive oil must check this place out! read more

Such unique stuff for gifts! Their balsamic vinegars are really tasty and it's a fun experience to try them all! I've given the Espresso Balsamic as a gift at least 5x. They have a shop in Encinitas too that also offers sample cheese samples. Found my favorite cheese. The items are somewhat pricy but it's clutch when you don't know what to get someone who has everything or need to add to an upscale gift basket. read more

Love the oils just be aware -- this place is NOT kid friendly! If they do not want people helping themselves to a taste then they should remove all the tasting cups that are placed on each table! Be forewarned -- your children will be yelled at if they open one of the spigots. Granted I'm all for controlling your children but my child was not trying to be a pill -- she just couldn't figure out how to turn off the spigot once the guy starting yelling at her. Very unnerving. We left as quickly as we could. I also warned an elderly lady who almost helped herself as well. I didn't want her to get fussed at! read more

With all the concerns these days about the adulteration of olive oil and how hard it is to really know whether you're getting quality EVOO, it is refreshing to experience the ownership of Baker & Olive who really know their stuff. They go out of their way to make sure you are clear on the origin of their olive oil, when it was harvested, how it is cared for...they are super knowledgeable about their product. I think anyone who really wants to know about the olive oil industry needs to read the book "Extra Virginity" (http://www.pugliaplease.com/?page_id=57) so you really can discern what product you're getting. read more

If you do not try this place, do not call yourself a foodie. There is nothing like it in San Diego, it's very NorCal. I am not suggesting us San Diegans are pedestrian in our tastes but one would think so given the lack of unique food emporiums.Bread is smashing, aged Gouda transports me to Europe and the olive oils and vinegars transport me to every imaginable scent and taste. I use the blood orange olive oil and the blackcurrant balsamic vinegar daily as my salad dressing, add sea salt and cracked pepper and it is heavenly. Support them, go now and go often. read more

I spent way too much money in this beautiful shop. The owner (?) gave my friend and I a great tour with lots of delicious olive oil and balsamic samples from their beautiful silver containers and gorgeous artisan cheeses. He was super helpful and his cheese recommendations were the best. I left with a couple of baguettes, an out-of-this-world creamy bleu cheese from the Cow Girl Creamery, two pretty decanter tops for the oils, and a small bottle of truffle infused oil. It was not cheap but everything was most definitely of the highest quality. Everyone I know who has been here just loves it and so do I. read more

Great quality olive oils and balsamic vinegars. The staff is friendly and helpful. They are also generous within supporting community events. I love going here to select gift for friends! I'm looking forward to going back to explore their cheese counter. Nice! read more

If you cook or your like to entertain then this place must be part of the shopping list. From the bread, to the truffle cheese to the unreal olive oils - honestly this place is the best. And the owners are so nice...giving you the knowledge you need to making the correct selection. read more

I received a gift box of olive oil and balsamic vinegars and each one of the items in the box is amazing! The flavors are so good, you need very little to make the best salad. It's funny how a good quality product goes so much further! It is definitely worth checking out. I know I have not seen these products at any other store! read more

Wow, what a treat! I heard about this foodie haven a few months ago from a coworker. Since the hours of operation didn't work too well with my work schedule, it took me a while to venture in to see all the goodies for myself. Recently I went to a friend's house, and she had purchased the espresso balsamic vinegar. Oh my goodness... what a sensation to my tastebuds! I went in the store today. I think I could have bought everything! I love that they let you taste and try, and the owners are more than happy to talk about the versatility of their products. Even the most complex flavors of balsamic vinegar and infused olive oil have every day uses. I bought three bottles, and probably could have bought six more. I will just have to come back another day for the cinnamon pear balsamic... read more

Very nice small shop for many types of olive oils. Enjoy the sampling and find your perfect oil!

A dream come true. The variety of flavor infused oils and vinegars for the tasting! This is such a neat place for all! I use a variety of different selections, the jalapeño infused oil for giving my chicken the perfect amount of flavor and spice. The basil olive oil is amazing for lightly tossing pasta, and the cranberry pear balsamic drizzled on a fresh salad... my mouth is watering just writing this review! This establishment and it's sister location in del Mar, are equally accommodating with welcoming and knowledgeable staff that literally cater to your tastebuds! Their products are perfect for every occasion... girls night, a romantic dinner, even make amazing gifts! Two thumbs way up and an easy 5 star rating! read more

This place is rad! You can going in and taste all of the different all the olive oils and vinegars. My personal favorite is the juniper balsamic vinegar. You should try it. read more

Pretty amazing selection of imported EVOO's and vinegre from all over the world with an incredible assortment of flavors. This place is great for anyone who loves to cook especially with olive oil. The shopping center it is in is a little ghetto and this store looks like it does not belong but I'm glad I found this place. They also carry some incredible cheeses including one of my favorites Humbolt Fog goat cheese. I bought an imported Italian olive oil, walnut olive oil, blackberry-ginger balsamic vinegrette and a pure balsamic vinegrette that blows away anything they sell in your everyday grocery store. I'm stoked I found this place. read more

This place has an amazing selection of aged balsamic vinegars. None of this cheap nonsense you get at the grocery chains. Aged balsamic makes all of the difference. Their cheeses are awesome!! read more

Only been here once, but I LOVED the olive oil that I sampled here. I ended up buying two bottles of oil, can't remember which kinds though. They were so unique and delicious! read more

Nirvana Found! This gourmet infused olive oil and spice shop was fantastic! Endless tasting options and a staff that knows their products and purpose. I'm already hooked on the Tuscan Herb Infused EVOO and a new varietal Melgarejo Hojiblanca that tastes out of this world. One of my dear friends turned me on to this place and told me about drizzling these amazing EVOO's on top of BBQ'd meats while they rest and just before cutting or serving. I'm convinced, there's no going back! I just wish there was a Baker & Olive closer to me in the So. Bay. read more

Love the European Breads! I buy several, cut them in half & freeze them! Nice crusts! , read more

Love this place. The fig balsamic is amazing. We use it as a stand-alone salad dressing or on roasted brussels sprouts. We've shopped at Encinitas and Del Mar locations and loved both! read more

My friend Google told me this was the place to go to find an excellent tea I discovered (Smith Tea). I was rather surprised when I walked in to find that they sell imported oil and vinegar. Serendipity! I ended up spending way more than I planned to, and ended up buying the house blend olive oil and balsamic vinegar (which was far better than any balsamic I could buy at the grocery store). Service was very attentive - the man who helped me provided tiny tastes in cups (for a more pure experience, since the flavor of the bread can color how you taste an oil or vinegar). I have to admit, it was really odd to drink olive oil. A fun experience! The bottles that I bought are almost empty - time to go back soon and try their bread and cheese. read more

This place is awesome. I would expect to see it in Northern California wine country, not in a strip mall in Encinitas. They have many different kinds of olive oils, balsamic vinegars, as well as a good selection of cheese and olives, and some single-origin chocolates. The owner is very helpful and it is great to be able to taste as much as you want before you choose. The flavors of the olive oils are amazing, and the descriptions are very accurate, to help you narrow down to what you will like. They do have some organic olive oils, I only wish they had more. read more

A wide selection of Olive Oil & Vinegars and you can try them all. I especially loved the tarragon olive oil and the cara cara & vanilla vinegar.... read more

The best selection of oils and vinegars. Plus, Maria went above and beyond to make me a happy customer by shipping a replacement gift set out at no additional charge when one of the oils had leaked. She took the time to listen and remedy the situation. I will definitely continue to shop with Baker and Olive! read more

I went back and still love this place because I have learned a new and simple way to add flavor to my food. The folks running this place are truly passionate about what they are doing and what they are selling. They make oil and vinegar fun and they will show you new ways to enhance your food in a very healthy way. read more

Baker and olive is a great place if you love to cook, need a great gift idea, or if you are hosting a party. The staff is very friendly and can make suggestions for you based on your price range and tastes. GREAT experience read more

You'll never be able to use run-of-the-mill oils and vinegars again! The selection is vast and the staff is friendly and knowledgeable. They are great at selecting cool O/V combinations. Great for hostess gifts too. Love this shop. read more

Great place to explore! I've only been to the Encinitas location, but every time I go I get something different. Last time I was there I built a yummy cheese plate, then I usually get unique gifts along with something for myself. It's easy to take a quick look or really take your time to check out all the fun flavors. read more

This place is AMAZING. I recieved a gift certificate for Baker & Olive last June for my Birthday from my mother in law because she knows what a geek I am about food. It sat , magnetized to my refrigerator right next to my Las Vegas magnet since then. FINALLY we took it up to Encinitas to see what it was all about. This store is incredible. Specializing in Balsamic Vinegars and Olive oils. You can taste EVERYTHING in this store ....The staff are obviously well versed in what they offer because this dude helping us was blowing my mind letting me try all kinds of crazy combinations , while telling me what the use for each one would be good for (like wine pairing) What a fun time! They have a small cheese case and offer some amazing bread as well....get me into a place like this and I go NUTS I spent a lot more than my gift certificate was but was worth every penny. Their 18 year old aged Balsamic is the most popular and soooooooo good. If you go here do NOT wear a nice shirt....I had drip stains all over the place from tasting everything....not because I am a total pig , but because of my pure excitement. Bring a bib... read more

I can't remember the last time I had more fun shopping for foodstuffs. Imagine -- a huge and imaginative selection of 30 premium olive oils and 20 balsamic vinegars, all on tap (in elegant stainless steel urns), and all available to taste! I only wish I had more time to try every single one of them. Marion, the owner of Baker & Olive, is pleasant and accommodating. She let me sample the wonderful dark German breads on hand (she works with the house baker to ensure authenticity) and also took the time to help me select an oil & vinegar pairing for a birthday gift. She recommended the Cinnamon Pear balsamic with the Herbes de Provence oil, and I must say, I almost died when I tasted the combination. Such flavors! Like autumn in a bottle. I also tried the dark chocolate vinegar and swear to you I could have sipped it like a dessert beverage, it was that rich and delicious (it would be divine over vanilla ice cream). Although the bottles are very reasonably priced at about $15 each, the shop does not skimp on quality or freshness. The bottles themselves are attractive, and Marion will package them if you ask. A selection of gourmet cheeses and olives is also available. I will return to this store again and again. What a find! read more

The owner Marion is very helpful in helping you select the olive oils that you would use and like. Beautiful setup to be able to taste so many different flavors. The breads are delicious- hint she will sell 1/2 a loaf, if you want two kinds. The Blood Orange olive oil drizzled on a sweet potato or fish is wonderful! read more

I was yelled at for helping myself to the samples. I know a thing or two about olive oil and the oil from Tunisia was defective. Everything else was nice. When I asked about EVOO from California, I was told they don't have many because "they are one dimensional and don't win international awards". Biggest bunch of bs I have ever heard. I would rather go to the new Temecula Olive oil Company in Solana beach or wait for the new We Olive to open in La Jolla. read more

Love this place! There are so many unique flavors to choose from. We most recently tried the blood orange oil and fig balsamic vinegar, Very tasty! The owners are very knowledgeable and friendly. You should also try the bread baked daily on the premises. read more

What an amazing and surprising place. Amazing because of their products which are yummy and varied, in most cases (varied, I mean! - so far all are yummy). Surprising because it's not the type of store you usually see in this area and surprising because their products are reasonably priced, especially considering the specialty nature of the products. They've got some great gift ideas for the holidays and of course would be a good starting point for some holiday yummies at home! read more