I am totally in love with this place. Ok, so this is a speciality shop and you expect really the best service and product line up to begin with, so if you think that I am giving too many stars, then you have to judge it yourself. You can taste everything at your own pace. Every product is clearly marked and tiny cups and bread to do the tasting with is everywhere and abundance. The name of the store is "...olive oil.." but they have both olive oil and balsamic vinegar and I think the vinegar line up is what really did it for me - to fall in love. Staff is very knowledgable. Again, probably it is expected, working at a place like this and maybe I am giving them too much credit for something that is expected but all the same I really enjoyed listening to their sharing product knowledge with us. Long story short - unless you are allergic to olive oil and/or balsamic vinegar, go check out this place and go crazy! read more

Natalie always gives the best service. I give many of the oils as gifts and they are always a hit.

Love this little shop! I found the best combo of olive oil and vinegar for vinaigrette; I can't get enough of it!

Danger: unless you are willing to be completely seduced by some truly fantastic, incredibly delicious flavors that you have never even imagined, stay out! The people here are PASSIONATE about olive oil, with good reason - the many varieties they offer are delicious! You can sample all of them if you like, as well as the many balsamic vinegars and a few other oils, such as the delectable walnut oil. The 18-year balsamic is NOT to be missed - don't worry, they will offer this first! Prices are reflective of the outstanding quality, but after sampling a few of the wares, you will be more than happy to shell out for a chance to take some of these extremely tempting potions home with you. If you can't decide, you can get a sampler with four little bottles for liberal use on your salads, etc., or drinking straight if you like. Yum! read more

I have been here many times, yet I forget to check in because I'm in love with the store. To me, this is the best place to get fresh olive oils and balsamic vinegars. They also have mustards and other super-tasty foods here. This is truly the ONLY place I buy olive oils and vinegars. They are head and shoulders above what's available in grocery stores, despite there being an improvement in what's available. Here's a recipe idea for you: If you make your own popcorn (if not, read what's in microwave popcorn and you just might), add the mushroom and sage olive oil to what you use to pop the corn. Then add a little of the garlic oil. This creates an unbelievable popcorn that even the 10 year-old enjoys. Popcorn is big in my house, so it better be good or there is hell to pay. Now, the ladies (no I've not seen any men working here) at the store are super friendly and helpful. You can taste any and all oils before you buy them. They're also great to bounce off ideas if you're cooking something and aren't sure which oil/vinegar might be a good complement. If you decide to shop there, make sure you get a punch card. A free bottle is yours once you've purchased 12. If you use as much olive oil as we, it adds up quickly. read more

Awesome shop! Great assortment and fresh products. Wonderful service and nice place to go for gifts. Highly recommend.

Don't get me wrong -- as much as I love olive oil, I know very little about it and it's not a hobby of mine to seek out special olive oil. But I've recently discovered the somewhat posh Mendota Heights mall (more Arbor Lakes than Ridgedale) and there was a sign outside that said 'Free samples!' so, like a moth to a flame, thither I went. Perhaps fanatics have better judgment than mine, but I thought the selection was very good. Not only does this store carry olive oil, but they also sell a wide range of balsamic vinegars, black and white truffle oils, intriguing salts and walnut oil, my new favorite condiment. The owner (I believe) knew her oil and gave me tips on how to make the most out of each product. I only saw 12.7 oz bottles; I'd love to buy smaller bottles, possibly in a set of four so I can do test runs with my dining partners. Sure, I like the blood orange olive oil, but will my invisible friend Shirley enjoy it? Hard to say. (There are four packs of 4 oz. bottles available as gift sets on the store's website.) Overall, it was a good shopping experience and I can't wait to go back. read more

I HAVE to tell you all about The Olive Grove. I have been going to the Olive Grove to buy olive oil and vinegar for the past few years. I have referenced in some of my past review about how much I enjoy cooking. Well I thought I knew about the benefits of olive oil.So I would purchase a few oils here and consider them special oils while then purchasing more affordable oils at the store for everyday cooking. Well after attending a class about olive oil, I am throwing out any oils in our house and I purchased 5 bottles and refilled 3 other bottles tonight. By the way, I hate wasting anything so for me to throw out anything is a big deal. My first tip is to sign up for the email club here. This will keep you up to date on what oils are in stock and what oils are leaving. Occasionally Natalie, the owner, offers a class about olive oil. That is the class I went to tonight. I think I took more notes tonight then I did in my entire college career! I could write so much about what I learned tonight and the benefits of olive oil but that would get way too long and I want to focus on what a great little shop this is. What I will recommend is if you have olive oil at home. read what it says in the front, then read the back. Most olive oils are actually a mixture of different oils. Want more? Search 60 minutes Oil Oil or Rutgers and Cal Davis Olive Oil reports. You will be shocked at what you read! Did you know some of the oil you have at home could be lamp oil? No that's not a misprint. Yes oil that is used in lamps has been found in everyday oils. Ok, enough of that, back to the shop. The Olive Grove carries the freshest olive oil that is available. Only 10% of all olive oils is considered to be premium, and that is what is sold at The Olive Grove. First lets talk about the cost. Yes it is a bit more expensive then your $4 dollar bottle of oil you get at the store. And yes that's a multipurpose oil as you can cook with it and probably heat your house. But is that what you really want to put in your body or the bodies of your loved ones? A large bottle of premium olive oil here sells for about $15.00. That's about half of what a co-pay is at the doctor and as I mentioned previously, the health benefits are well documented. Very reasonable. Flavors. There are more olive oils here than you will ever need. They have everything from oils that you would use for cooking at high heats to lower heats, to oils used for dressings and dipping. They have infused oils for flavor such as garlic, Persian lime, Basil, Chipotle, Gremolata and Tuscan Herb to name a few. Do you like balsamic vinegar? Lots of flavors here including an 18 year balsamic that will knock your socks off. Imagine a perfectly aged bourbon, well this is like 18 year balsamic. Its smooth, a bit sweet, yet still has that vinegar edge. Unbelievable. Grilled chicken with rosemary and 18 year balsamic will become one of your favorite chicken dishes of all time. They also carry gift baskets, mini sampler sets, sauces, mustards and other great items. Its like the Golden Fig of Olive Oils and vinegars. There are recipes at the store and on their website. Its safe to say that I have not been this excited about something in quite a while. That excited about olive oil? YES I am. Do a little research for yourself and then head to The Olive Grove. It could be life changing. read more

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I have passed this place several times, but didn't take the time to stop in until yesterday. OMG! What a treasure this place is -- I never knew olive oil and vinegar could taste so good. I went in not expecting to be impressed, and left with over $100 worth of goods. It was so hard to decide what to get, since nearly everything I tasted was delicious. Yumm-o!!! read more

The Olive Grove's 18-year-old balsamic vinegar: quite possibly a religious experience. At $18/bottle, it's cheaper than tithing without the Catholic guilt. But seriously, this place is awesome. You get to taste all the oils and vinegars before buying. As a purist, I'm not super jazzed by the previous reviewer's infused favorites especially the blood orange, but you know, we are entitled to our preferences. And this shop is the perfect place to get a gift: hardly know some one? check. Gift for mom or bff? Yes!! Did I mention buying half the store for yourself? I think the prices are reasonable for what you get. Also, they host parties. Wow! My only gripe is getting to this place. The strip mall that it's in is hard to find. It's a destination in and of itself. But worth it. Oh, so worth it. read more

Natalie and the team did a fantastic job sending some last minute Christmas gifts to an old recent MN transplant who had to move to PA and a coworker from AZ who is OBSESSED with good balsamic!! I remembered far too late to order and they still managed to put the gift boxes together and get them delivered well before Christmas. Can't wait to get over there and stock up our house soon! The customer service and expertise is top notch. Can't recommend enough! read more

I love this place. The staff is very friendly and accommodating. Nearly everything they sell in the store can be sampled and they keep it very clean The caramelized onion and cilantro oil is one of my favorites. Great to sauté meats and vegetables with. Their aged and flavored balsamic vinegars are wonderful, as well. We try to make it a point to stop here once a month or so just to restock and try something new. They sell an alderwood smoked salt that is awesome... it gives the meat you're cooking a fresh off the smoker vibe. Try it. read more

Right next to Vera Salon. This mall reminds me of a ghost town with staying power. It's got unique shops and services, along with some thrown in annoying chains. A specialty olive oil shop is right up my alley. I was having a chat with Deb, about how I always hated evoo in the stores, never bought into the hype, and settled on Felipe Berrio pure olive oil, or some others on sale at Lunds. It turns out no kind is better than the wrong kind. I won't give you the reasons in this review. Way too much information, and you need to go into the shop and get it first hand. Don't feel bad Anne, I drink it from the cup too. I'm not a bread dipper. I'm looking to have more control over my ingredients. Even dressing a salad will make a difference. For optimal health, bottled won't cut it. Even my favorites at Trader Joes. I settled on the Castile, which wasn't even the mildest one. Another plus, they carry champagne vinegar, in addition to a variety of balsamics. No more boring greens folks. read more

Yummers! You know when you go to nice Italian restaurant they give you fresh bread and olive oil to dip it in and it is so good that you ask for seconds and thirds? Then you go home to replicate that and your grocery store olive oil just tastes off and very wrong. Not being familiar with the wonderful world of olive oil, I was curious when I placed my order and hoping to get something that would make me happy. I can report that I am very happy! I ordered the Castile and the basil olive oil and when my order was delivered I was kicking myself that I didn't have fresh bread to try it out immediately! The delivery was super speedy, the owner is super sweet and helpful and I am now in love with olive oil (especially the basil)! I can't wait to order the garlic one next! read more

This place is great!! Especially the 18 year old aged balsamic vinegar. They have lots of oils, vinegars, mustards of all flavors, and you are strongly encouraged to taste until you find what you're looking for. Great for gifts-I did a lot of my Christmas shopping there. read more

Love the place! Who knew I'd be addicted to their products! I can't use anything but their oils and vinegars anymore. Try the Blood Orange Olive Oil with Strawberry Balsamic on your next salad. The Pomegranate Balsamic is great with any type of meat (particular coating pork tenderloin). Nice lovely shop....! Owner is lovely. Great Italian Beauty products Bath and Creams made from Olive Oil. read more

Again, can't say enough about this place. My mom and I had an early Mother's Day outing and the staff made it so much fun! They taught us so many odd, but yummy, tricks to do with balsamics. My new fav is the harissa oil. I love the heat it brings. Who knew olive oil could be so entertaining! read more

Awesome product! Get the garlic infused olive oil. I use it all the time to sauté veggies or fish/chicken. Worth the price! Great gift idea for the foodie in your life. read more

I absolutely love this place. Friendly and helpful staff. Wonderful variety of the most delicious oils and vinegars. The samples are free and of just about every flavor. read more

I've been getting my balsamic vinegars and olive oils here for the past several years. Love this place. Try the 18 year old balsamic!

Excellent! Been coming here for a few years now and I love this place. I wish I lived closer as I would really like to go to a class. Regardless, this is the only Olive Oil and Balsamic I use. It's fun to try different flavors and experiment using them cooking. But the main reason I get the oil and balsamic at The Olive Grove is to make salad dressing. Easy and full of flavor! Love it! read more

I received a sample pack of four bottles four years ago for Christmas with both oil and vinegars and I've been returning to refill my bottles ever since. The best oils and vinegar in Minnesota are at The Olive Grove! You can sample everything they have there and everyone there is so friendly and helpful. I cannot get enough of the Butter EVOO!! Mix that with the maple balsamic and dip in some sweet bread, then prepare to be lifted up to a wonderful place. read more

Delightful little place. Heard they had bacon flavored olive oil, and I wanted to get some for a friend who makes a lot of omelets. Staff was very helpful and I was able to taste the different varieties of olive oils and balsamic vinegars. Ended up buying 4 small bottles of the oils. I do love using different flavors when I cook different dishes. I've been to some similar shops, but they had flavors here I'd never seen before. read more

Although we've shopped here for years, I just opened our first bottle of the Cinnamon Pear Balsamic. It was delicious on a spinach/walnut/pear salad. Check out this store. It does not disappoint! Great for gifts, too. We've shipped balsamic and oil to clients and relatives. read more

This place is a neighborhood gem. I have tried several of their recipes using special oils and vinegars, and enjoyed every one.

I stopped at the Olive Grove Mendota Heights yesterday because the girls in our office said that they heard that you could put strawberry balsamic vinegar on ice cream. Well, I had to see if that was true. I told the very helpful clerk my story and she said let me get you a sample of ice cream and you can try it. I tried strawberry, lemon and they were both wonderful. I will be back to sample and purchase some of the flavored vinegars and oils soon. read more

I am a customer for life! I LOVE food but have never understood the hype around olive oil and balsamic vinegar. Have tried $20+ bottles at specialty grocery stores and they all taste "bottled". After one visit to this store, where I think I sampled 10 oils and 10 vinegars, I finally get it! The oil tastes like OLIVES (or truffle, or walnut, etc.) rather than OIL, and the balsamics are truly delicious, with a lot of flavor and not just the punch of vinegar. And they're significantly less than those aforementioned overpriced bottles that tasted terrible. Every friend or family member that I have purchased for has asked for more, and others that have tried my bottles have gone and become lifelong customers as well. I you've ever been underwhelmed by oil and vinegar, I highly recommend you try this. I will never buy anywhere else! read more