Con' Olio Oils & Vinegars

Love this place! I went in out of curiosity and ended up learning a lot about olive oil. The girls were very friendly and taught me a lot. I'm very happy to have met such nice people and found such high-quality products.

Absolute 10 out of 10 experience at this cute little shop!!! They have SO many oils and vinegars to try and sample. The sweet workers were so knowledgeable and helpful. They have great recommendations on best ways to use and pair the oils. The prices were very reasonable. We got 4 of the 60 ml bottles for less than $25. She even gave us recipe cards and an ingredient list. Such a great experience and SO TASTY! Highly recommend for a fun way to spice up your cooking and snacking. :)

A great little small business shop full of extra virgin olive 🫒 oils and Balsamic Vinegars from Modina, Italy... Great gifts and fun to look around and peruse . Specialty items, wine, cheese and more....Cooking and tasting classes that I highly recommend 👌 😋. A tasting bar so that you can taste before you buy.

Update. They’re also a great gift. I got my sister Herbs de Provence oil with peach balsamic vinegar for her bday. My brother in law secretly ate most of it. They couldn’t stop talking about how good it was and how they want me to get them more. Love this place! My secret to great salad. I get compliments and it’s quick way to dress up a salad. I get great combinations and pairings. I use the lemon and orange oils for olive oil cakes. I would buy the whole store if I could. I love herbs de Provence, Tuscan and Milanese oils.

Y'all, this place is dangerous! They have an excellent selection of oils and vinegars. I love that you can taste them before buying - so you won't gome home and regret buying a product. While the prices are higher than what you would find in a grocery store, the selection is also a lot higher, and the quality is exceptional!

We had the best time tonight at Chef Fer's Paella cooking class. This was my first paella class and it did not disappoint. It's interactive and Fer does a fantastic job explaining all the steps and love that go into paella. I highly recommend this class, eating, drinking and enjoying great company. Also, the blueberry balsamic is a must, grab that too!

Went to the first new year 2020 olive oil and balsamic vinegar class and tasting. Behold the fine cheeses and prosciutto to match. I didnt realize what I was missing in this area til I came. The staff were well verse and the classes were interactive instead of a recitation of facts. You learn a lot, you get to eat a lot, and the staff is second to none. Texas family owned who donates to the community. Takes pride in their sourcing and ensuring fresh. Definitely support this business and definitely take a class.

I know you can use olive oil and balsamic vinegar for a million different purposes, but my favorite is dipping a little sourdough bread in a combination of the two. I could spend hours here sampling every oil and vinegar they have. They always have something new I’ve never tried before, they offer classes, they have little snacks and accoutrements to go with the olive oil and/or balsamic vinegar. The olive oil varietals are always fresh, and they have a huge variety. Likewise of the vinegars; they have dark and white with a ton of different flavors. It’s hard to choose a favorite, but I adore their fig infused dark balsamic vinegar, and their mango infused white vinegar. That said, be prepared to spend money. It’s expensive but you can taste the quality. The staff is knowledgeable and friendly (at least when I went there). Good for gifts or treating yourself.

I was in the market for some extra virgin olive oil. Con Olio was the winning location. Shannon, store manager, shared key information about the different olive oils as well as balsamic vinegars. I got to sample several olive oils and balsamic vinegars before decided. The store is surprisingly large with many selections to choose from. I was able to leisurely walk around the store. In addition, con olio had cheese, candy, honey, jams and jellies. Cool vibe...looking forward to using my purchases in my dining pursuits.

Con' Olio was highly recommended to me by one of the chefs at a local pizza restaurant. The variety of fresh olive oils and vinegars was impressive. They allow you to sample as many as you'd like. My favorites were the orange infused olive oil and the dark chocolate infused balsamic vinegar. They are a perfect combo and I purchased some for my fiance and I and as gifts for mother's day. I will note that they are a bit pricey but their products are a real treat! The staff was very helpful and knowledgeable. I look forward to coming back and maybe even participating in their tasting classes.

I have discovered an intense appreciation for quality balsamic vinegars and olive oils all thanks to this incredible shop! Stop by and ask for the run down of the shop and how everything is organized, I promise you that you'll be fascinated and amazed by the knowledge of the staff here. And definitely ask for their personal recommendations and combinations, because your taste buds will have such a great tasting experience! There are so many incredible options to try out. I never thought I would become such a huge fan of balsamic vinegars, but wow this place has such a hold on me that I have to keep going back. My current favorites are the white summer peach, dark fig, and neopolitan balsamic vinegars. Not only have I stepped up my salad dressing and pasta game, but these balsamic vinegars (especially the summer peach) are also great to mix into cottage cheese, ice cream, and toast! Each olive oil and balsamic vinegar label has recommendations on what food to combine each with, as well as flavor pairings, which is incredibly helpful as you expand your palate. Hands down a fantastic shop that I will gladly return to over and over again! And it's also located right next door to a spice shop which is perfect.

I was pleasantly surprised to see this spot next to a spice store that I've been dying to visit, so it only made sense to pop in here afterwards and I was so glad I did. It was SO neat! I was solo and wished I could've experienced it with someone else for the first time. I heard a buzz while visiting that the majority of the folks inside were bummed out that the Sicilian Lemon olive oil was sold out, so naturally, I put myself on the list to make sure I'm notified next time it's available. I walked away with a basil olive oil which was so fresh tasting and delicious and a grapefruit white vinegar which was absolutely to die for. I can't wait to share it with my Mom, and bring her here next time she visits! Parking is kind of a nightmare in the area, the spots are super small, but I noticed a parking garage nearby. Luckily I got a spot close to this store. The folks inside were so friendly and based on how they were speaking to other customers, I'd say they probably have some regulars. Can't wait to bring friends to this establishment!

Wow what an incredible shop and tasting experience. We found so many favorites among the oils and vinegars at this place. Seriously, favorite store now. Besides the quality of the ingredients, the excellence of our experience was mostly attributable to Shaggy who walked us through the whole tasting experience. Super friendly and knowledgeable guy, and really made the whole store approachable. I knew I'd prefer the quality of "real" olive oil and vinegar but I don't think I was prepared for how much my mind is blown.

Olive & Oil Paradise! Glad to have stopped by tonight. The staff on site was so welcoming and helpful...I did not leave empty handed like I expected (as a first timer)Lol. But I am grateful to have stopped in. I enjoyed the herb olive oil and the olives are to Live For.. Def, returning soon to check out their cheeses.

Con' Olio's is by far a must-visit place for all dedicated foodies! My understanding is that this store (and a second in Bee Cave) were the first Extra Virgin Olive Oils (EVOO) and balsamic vinegar tasting locations in Austin, and it certainly deserved the title. The Arboretum location has friendly staff and an excellent selection to choose from. Compared to Bee Cave, this location feels more airy and has space to let you wander between offerings more. The strength of CO is their willingness to let you taste pretty much anything in the store. While the star of the show is the olive oil, their flavored balsamic vinegar is also excellent. They also have an interesting selection of pasta and gourmet condiments worth checking out. A note to the newcomer to the world EVOO: You may find to your surprise that many samples are astringent and peppery! That's because fresh olive oil contains a high level of antioxidants, which provide multiple health benefits. A 5-star place and worth a drive to visit.

A novel idea for a shop! The abundance and varieties of oils and vinegars call out to you. They have tons of free samples. Not everyone is offering samples during the pandemic, so I love the opportunity to consume samples like we did back in the old days before the pandemic. I tried 3 different samples, and I liked the cayenne olive oil the best. The clerk advised me to dilute it, but since I am a spice addict, I had it undiluted and that rocked. The prices are higher, but the pleasure of cayenne olive oil might justify a purchase. The clerks are friendly too! I didn't have much money today, so I hope to come back when I have more money to support this place.

I've been a customer of Con' Oilo for five years, but never did I know they sold perishable items until the lockdown. I couldn't get into farmhousedelivery.com because they are booked, but Con Olio offers similar local produce and dairy on a smaller scale. For the lockdown, they are offering free curbside pickup. Unlike HEB, the lead time at Con Olio is about four hours. You can skip one week curbside lead times at HEB and Randall's. They offer gluten free artisan bread and bagels, eggs, green onions, etc... You can place a curbside order online or over the phone with Margo. She even wore gloves for curbside delivery. When lockdown is over, they also offer cooking classes accommodating any food allergies.

For all I know the oils and balsamic vinegars are wonderful. Do I really want to pay $6 for a microbottle of bergamot olive oil? No. Do I want to pay $33 for a usefully sized bottle of bergamot olive oil? No. Do I want a dish with olive oil flavor and a citrus tang? At most HEBs not to mention Central Market, I can buy olive oil made from just about any kind of olive imaginable - and pair it with whatever fruit I like. The same applies for any other flavor they want to trot out - chili, herbs, chocolate, whatever. More artistic control and half the price or cheaper. * * * Their sales technique could also use a little work. Someone who I think is the owner came up to me and said "Oh, this is your first time here? Let's start sampling some olive oils! I let people taste some olive oil. They become customers for life." This is the same as if you were a woman in a bar And the guy sitting next to you were to say: "I tell women my fantastic stories of charity work in India and they are in my bed the same night." I was not in her bed that same night. I was out of her store - For good.

We just have to give a HUGE holiday shout out to Michael from Con' Olio, y'all! Picture the hubby and I rushing around like procrastinating mad people, as we were heading out to meet our Houston family at the between-ish point of a lovely Italian restaurant in College Station, and we had literally not bought anyone a DANG thing for Christmas! I'm increasingly of the opinion that the best and most memorable gifts are experience-based, rather than the rat race of materialism, so, with that in mind, we flew into Con' Olio on the way, because: 1. We love it! and 2. Delicious food and wine are most certainly experience-based! We only had 15 minutes to spare before we had to hit the road, so we were in a panic, but we needn't have been! The incredibly sweet and ridiculously competent Michael quickly took us in hand and not only guided us to the most sublime oil and balsamic vinegar EVER and packed them in a perfect gift arrangement, but he suggested two bottles of gorgeous wine, and we threw in two bottles of stuffed olives, two jars of lovely pasta sauce and two bags of fresh pasta, all hailing from actual Italy, natch. So, we bring our haul to the front, and Michael suggested fabulously rustic gift bags, he removed all price tags, he bagged all of the gifts in their particular bags in ways that made absolute sense for our sudden Italian feast theme, wrapping the wine bottles elegantly before doing so! He then provided us a pen to write our little notes on the tags, he filled the bags with perfectly fluffed tissue, and the cherry on top was that he went to the back to grab a box, and packed all of our stuffed bags safely in it, for easy transport! So, we went from being the most hideous and harried procrastinators to winning this College Station Christmas in fifteen minutes flat, and we have Con' Olio and Michael, their multi-talented sommelier, to thank! You guys are AWESOME!

Wow! From the minute we walked in, we felt like we were at home. Very friendly, super educational and helpful. We learned more about olive oil and all things related than days of reading, shopping and researching. Plus! We got to taste and experience the difference in quality, variety and the different flavors. This was a rare experience and one you should not miss if you care about the taste, quality, and freshness of the olive oil you use. Lucky and Anna helped us out and they are experts and full of knowledge. Can't thank them enough for the over the top experience they gave us today. If you've followed my reviews, you know I'm not one to write a review unless I'm really wowed and if I don't have anything good to say, I'm generally keep to myself and preserve my energy. But this guys are worth the time and effort. Thanks so much! We will definitely be coming back and making you our go to spot! These guys are great for special gifts, especially for those you struggle to find something meaningful for.

This is another store I didn't realize was so close to my house. I went a little crazy here and got sample 60ml sizes of many types of vinegars and I got some interesting oils like butternut squash seed oil. I am also enjoying the cara cara vanilla orange vinegar. They go really well on my salads also.

Wow they really know their stuff. Shelves and shelves of olive oil and vinegar. The name was not lying. They have olive oil that tastes like butter (Natural Butter), one that I'm going to start recommending to patients as a more cholesterol-friendly option to butter. I ended up buying an infused olive oil, Wild Mushroom and Sage, that tastes richly like mushrooms and sage. I'm going to dash it into mashed potatoes and noodles. The saleslady touring was very knowledgeable, greeted regulars by name, and was a real pleasure. I spotted the Harissa Hot and thought of one of my friends graduating from college. I asked her to recommended an olive oil to give to someone from Morocco and voila! She picked this one. While the vinegars and oil are sampled in tiny little shots, the Harissa Hot, infused with spices, was to be sampled with a tiny oyster cracker. The vinegars were amazing- espresso, grapefruit... some sweet enough to pour directly onto ice cream and eat; others had a matching olive oil companion. I wish Frank would've came with me so he could've indulged in a mega purchase with me, so he's getting dragged next time.

Let me start by saying this place is a bit expensive. With that being said I still love it for it's large selection of oils and vinegars. I love the fact that they allow you to taste each and every one of these products so that you can ensure you get exactly what you want. While tasting the vinegars my mind races with thoughts of how I might us them to enhance the flavor of meals. Of course you can use them for salad, but what about fish, steak and pork? What about combining a flavored oil to an infused vinegar? The options are endless and this is why I enjoy this place so much. They have a few standard sizes and you can get as little or as much as you may want. Every great cook looks for inspiration and Con' Olio Oils & Vinegars is where you will find it.

I feel as if I just discovered Disneyworld. What an amazing place. The tastings are such a great idea. How many times have bought something new at the supermarket, took it home, tasted it, and poured it down the drain. This is such a special outlet for fine oils, vinegar and spices. I cannot wait for dinner. They also have wonderful gift ideas that are truly unique.

This place is amazing. The staff is so helpful. They are like our family and a quick weekend get away. I seriously would go here everyday if I could because they are so sweet and helpful.

I have tasted and bought oils at Con' Olio and recently attended an Olive Oil 101 class. Their oils are high quality and they keep them sealed and dark in their special tasting contraptions. They also have some wonderful balsamic vinegar flavors. The oils and balsamic vinger clearly display if they are organic, gluten free and non GMO. They also share the crush date (it is best to consume/use the oils within a year of the crush date). There is tasting cups at each tasting for customers to sample. They sell in various sizes with most of the small 60 ml bottles running $4.99. Some of my favorite flavors are the Tuscan herb, Meyer lemon, blood orange and truffle. Their website is loaded with recipe ideas for both the olive oil and balsamic vinegars. I don't want to give away to much about the class in case you plan to attend. What I will share is it covers the history of olive oil, the production process, health benefits and you have an opportunity to taste and compare the oils. During our visit we had baguette, almonds, mozzarella, tomato, olives and Amy's Mexican Vanilla ice cream to pair with the olive oils. You can also purchase wines by the glass to enjoy during the olive oil tasting (reds are $5 and whites $4). The classes are $25 and my MIL and I found it well worth it. After experiencing this class it will be hard for me to use grocery store bought olive oils. You can really taste the difference from the feel on your tongue to the amazing flavors. Con' Olio Oils & Vinegars is locally owned so you can feel good about keeping it local when you shop here.

Pssst! Come closer, I want to let you in on a little secret. They let you drink as many shots as you want for FREE!!!! I stopped after 12 shots only because I was so giddy at that point. Okay, so the shots are either olive oil or balsamic vineger. They taste soo good. Oops, sorry, I am getting ahead of myself. We arrived before they were open so a stroll around the arboritium was taken. When they opened their doors at 10AM, we were the first and only one to go in. Sandy introduced herself and asked if we had ever been in before. No, we told her, we were virgins. She explained the process of getting dispensing the oil into the little cup, then sniff and sip. Their oils are infused with the flavors during the press process and not after. She pointed out the different sections. The first row were unflavored oil but from different olives. Next came the flavor savory oil, to be followed by the citrius oils. Turn the corner and the balsamic vineger is the star. If you continue down the row, the flavored Balsamics were lined up. The containers were all stainless steel fusti with spigot. I started at the flavored balsamic and there was only one I didn't care for. I purchased the Raspberry Balsamic, Fig Balsamic, Lemon Olive oil, and the Tuscanny Herb olive oil. They freshly dispense the oils and vineger into dark empty bottles right from the fusti. Labels are put on so you can ID them when you get home. You can get them in two size bottle. I chose the smaller ones because they were having a sale. If you buy 4 small bottles, you get 15% off. BTW on Saturdays they stop at Artisan Bistro and bring back baguettes, croissants, and ciabatta breads. I had a chocolate croissant and this was a REAL french made croissant. As I was walking to my car with my newly acquired treasure, I noticed that my mouth didn't feel oily. The olive oil flavor lingered on my tongue but not the oily aftertaste you get from some olive oils. I hate to say this but I think I will go broke at this store because I will be coming back again and again.

Never knew there were a "plethora" of olive oils and balsamic vinegars...amazing stuff.

Con' Olio has ruined me! I will NEVER EVER be able to enjoy a lesser Olive Oil or Balsamic again EVER. I am already addicted to their crack like Strawberry Balsamic - for the past 7 hours it was all I could think about and could not stop talking about it to all who would listen. I could easily replace my love for sipping good red wine with sipping their sweet tart rich Strawberry Balsamic. Olive Oil and Balsamic Vinegar tasting is the new wine tasting! And Con' Olio knows how to do it right! Jeff (one of the owners) greeted me and enthusiastically explained how superior their fresh olive oils are to anything on the shelf at a local grocery store - he was talking to the preacher on this because I highly disliked olive oil before I tasted the fresh stuff. I was like an ADD kid in a candy store so overwhelmed by all the options - his explaining how the order in which the Olive Oils and Vinegars are set up, and there is an order, was lost on me. Upon entering, the left wall is lined with stainless steel Fusti containers with Olive Oils ranging from Buttery to Citrus with infused oils ranging from Blood Orange to Garlic and Rosemary. Along the back wall and a portion of the back right are the Balsamic Vinegars with flavors ranging from Strawberry, Blueberry and Tangerine to Fig and Dark Chocolate. Each Fusti has recommendations on how to pair the Olive Oil or Vinegar. The Strawberry my favorite for instance would go great with a Spring Mix with Walnuts and Feta salad or on ice cream and the Tangerine would be great on any white fish and the Dark Chocolate on ice cream as well. I did not read the Blueberry Vinegar suggestions but think it would go great on a Ricotta filled Crepe or straight off my finger after I fist dip it in peanut butter:) Seriously, I have not given much thought to anything else since visiting Con' Olio.... Perhaps the Blood Orange infused Olive Oil with Dark Chocolate Balsamic drizzled on a fine Biscotti? Heck, just give me a glass of their Strawberry Vinegar to sip on and I could not be happier but do not expect me to shut up. If you are a Food Blogger come in and sign up for their Tasting with provided finger foods that Jeff told me about! And if it is not too late you can still purchase a Groupon for 15.00 for 30.00 worth of liquid gold!

If EVOO is your thing, you must check out this gem in the Arboretum. This place is nothing less that the best! A multitude of fine olive oil and balsamic vinegars line the clean, cool space. The staff is friendly and well educated about the product. The product changes with harvest time. Olive oil degrades after a year, hence the oils we get in the US is mostly bland. I am looking forward to the fall harvest in Italy. Taste is subjective so the store is set up so you can take shots of as many oils and vinegars you want. Yes, everything is a bit pricey; however, they have a variety of sizes that you can purchase from $6 (60mL) to 720mL. Last night I made my best capresse salad ever with the picholine olive oil and back cherry balsamic vinegar. I also recommend the white truffle olive oil---you can really elevate a simple food like eggs with a splash of truffle oil. They also hold classes and food pairings here.

Alysa and Rachell were absolutely fabulous! They were so bright, cheery and helpful in introducing me to the variety of vinegars and recipes for same. They truly made shopping at Con Olio a delightful experience. Love your products!

I rarely get out to the NWA too often, so was really happy to find Con Olio! What a lovely little place filled with beautiful oils and aged vinegars. The Owner Jeff was incredibly knowledgeable and helped me pick out a fabulous California oil that was pressed weeks ago. It had a nice peppery, grassy note. Then he showed me their nice Herbed olive oil with goes so well as a marinade or with the 18 year aged balsamic I bought for salads and dipping sauces. What a gem of a place! And they are very gluten free friendly and have some great GF books and products that taste far meter than many pasta brands found at HEB. Wish it were closer, but I will add this to my next NWA adventure.

I definitely recommend stopping here to amaze your inner foodie. It was a tasting of olive oil, white and dark basalmic vinegars that surprised me and almost overwhelmed my palate. The staff is very knowledgeable and pointed out which oils and vinegars are used by various chefs in town. I did love the chipotle olive oil but got distracted by vinegar and forgot to buy it. I ended up buying the peach white basalmic vinegar and the strawberry dark basalmic. The strawberry one could even go right on ice cream. It is delicious! We originally compared the white and black truffle oils - white one wins. My friend had bought truffle salt next door at the spice shop. This store sells truffle cream, truffle pasta, real truffles, and truffled sauces. So yes, a truffled paradise here!

This place has a great selection of olive oil and balsamic vinegar. They also carry nut oils. I love the hatch chili infused olive oil it is great as part of a ton on pork shoulder before it is smoked. The espresso infused vinegar makes a great marinade for steak. The first balsamic is great with Melon and prosciutto. The service is great and the personnel is very knowledgeable.

We are at a loss. The products are exceptional but the rude and condescending treatment you have to endure to spend your money here is horrific. This is the first business we have experienced in seven months of living here that does not embody Texas Southern hospitality or politeness. We have been in numerous times and average $75 in purchases each time. With the exception of the first time, the staff has not been friendly or welcoming. One person was so rude to us that I asked to speak to the owner or manager. I was shocked when she told me she was the owner! The spirit of the owner permeates down through the staff. As much as we desire to shop locally, we have decided to have our oils and vinegars shipped in from the store where we used to live. They treat us kindly and are grateful for our patronage.

I received a $200 gift certificate to use here, and have been a convert to its balsamic vinegars. In addition, they have tastings every weekend. The coffee and the aged balsamic are simply the best. For a while they had delicious Johnson's Backyard heirloom tomatoes, but they discontinued it. I made a fantastic paella for friends this July evening and it was amazing with the seafood.

It is rare that I write a negative review for anyone. This one, however, is warranted. Yesterday I purchased a cookbook for my son from Con' Olio in the Arboretum. I quickly discovered that he already had this book. Today I went to return it with receipt in hand. They refused to refund my credit card or give me store credit saying that all sales were final. This had never been mentioned nor was it written anywhere. Very disappointing and deceiving. Won't return again. Deborah Bullock

Not only are the oils and vinegars fantastic, the time taken to educate the consumer is outstanding. We love patronizing them every two weeks.

This place is fantastic! If you enjoy exceptional oils and vinegars, exceptional customer service, and trying before buying, then you will love it here. I'm hooked on many of the infused oils and vinegars, and now find myself reaching for them every time I cook. Sure, no recipe is going to say "add a touch of harisa olive oil for a bit of heat" or "splash some pineapple balsamic on there for a bright note" but that's exactly what you can do with any dish and some of these products. I have literally taken grilled cheese sandwiches to a whole new level!

As I lovingly carried our ripe and ready to use 18 year old Balsamic vinegar to the car, I realized the year it was bottled our son was one year old and still in diapers. It should be no secret to you that it takes much, much longer for boys to mature. A few things that are a mature 18 years old this year: The Colorado Rockies baseball team My mother's Buick Glenfiddich Ancient Reserve Scotch The Mountain Laurel tree in the yard at our first home Enough of the walk down memory lane. I'm here to tell you about a wonderful new food shop in the Arboretum. My inner Italian goddess felt right at home with the rich and flavored olive oils and the luscious and sweet Balsamic vinegars offered to patrons for tasting. Ciao y Grazie! How ideal to taste a product before taking it home. Didn't you, uh, "taste" your significant other before bringing SO home? Tabatha and Jeff Conarko, the owners of Con' Olio, greet you and escort you to the oils and vinegars. You immediately sense the couple's enthusiasm and love for what they have created. They are extremely knowledgeable about the products they sell and there is no pressure to purchase anything. Strolling through the shop I noted several gluten free pastas and (drum roll please) gluten free gnocchi!! Can I get an Amen?! Other goodies line the walls in small groupings such as balsamic strawberry jam, orange balsamic glaze for meat, body cream and soap produced from olive oil. Decorating the space are beautiful framed photographs of vegetables, foods, wine bottles and Italian scenes by Nancy E. Krueger for sale. Arrivederci, Bella!

Picture this: It's raining out and you are trying to take cover in this yuppie shopping center, without making the grave mistake of walking into Cheesecake Factory and engorging yourself until the rain stops. You decide that sniffing and drinking the finest of oils is a safe bet. You are ignored by all staff because you look like a wet rat, but you still manage to taste every liquid available without being noticed, aka invisible. Your face is overly expressive with every sip of the golden and brown liquids, yet you manage to decide on three selections of their smallest sized oils and one balsamic. Just get the wild mushroom & sage. It will make your house smell glorious with even the smallest amount used.

Um, can I live here? I am absolutely infatuated with this place. I am never, ever buying olive oil or balsamic vinegar from the grocery store again. They have every flavor of olive oil or balsamic vinegar that you could ever want. Ever. AND they offer classes on both. I recently had the pleasure of taking their balsamic vinegar class. Mind = blown. I never knew there was so much to know about balsamic vinegar. And it was awesome. The owner told us all about how the store came to be, the history of balsamic vinegar, the different types, and we compared the real/good stuff to the crap you buy in the store and WOW what a difference. Seriously, I can't even explain how much fun I had. We were served a salad (with balsamic vinaigrette of course), a cheese plate (with corresponding balsamic vinegars), and a dessert-- with NO SUGAR-- with balsamic vinegar (vanilla and chocolate to be exact) and it was delicious! I never knew balsamic vinegar had so many uses! The class was such an eye opener. And the cost of the ticket not only included the food, tasters, and awesome mini-seminar, but also wine! If you're looking for a new date activity, I would highly, highly recommend this. And even if you don't take the class, you can go and taste all the different flavors of olive oil and vinegar. Really, when can I move in?

You want to start the paleo diet? Kiss all your happiness goodbye, saving it for a day when alcohol and cupcakes have been scientifically modified to be nutritious food sources. Con'Olio is like a frozen margarita glittering in the Solemn Desert of Deepest Sorrow that is paleo. For on paleo, you are allowed to use healthy oils in food accompaniment. Which still wouldn't justify it if I, say, drank lavender vinegar straight from the huge vats at CO. Or guzzled pure, delicious buttery olive oil from their fancy bottles. That is not part of the diet, but moderation of these luscious ingredients is. Sean is awesome. He let me sample the walnut oil I had called in about, then vinegars that would also go well with the arugula-raspberry-walnut salad I had envisioned. He saw the Go Local card on my keychain and guess what? 10% off. Like magic. Kids, you don't know real oil until you have the real deal. Our meals are forever changed thanks to these flavorful enhancements. Yum to infinity.

Have you ever taken a shot of Olive Oil? You can here! Loved the process of learning about oils and vinegars. The employee that helped us was knowledgable and inspired in us the desire to start using quality oils and vinegars. One thing - the guy who helped us smelled smoky, so when he handed us a sample to try, we got the smoke whiff from his hands before we sampled each oil. It was unappetizing but not a huge deal. I just think if you're serving food or in such a precise culinary industry, you try not to smell like smoke when talking to customers. Other than that, it was great. We'll be back for sure.

If you haven't read "Extra Virginity", I can sum it up for you in one line: stop buying your "olive oil" from HEB and start shopping at Con Olio instead. Most of the oil you're buying at the grocery store is either rotten (then stripped of its odor and healthful properties with detergents) or not olive oil at all. That's why it is so cheap - because it is garbage. We did not shop at Con Olio until they opened up their store downtown (across from the W), but we will definitely be regular customers now. Their oil is so fresh and delicious you will find yourself drinking your olive oil in little shots every day to experience the taste again. And you will never go back to the grocery store swill. On our first visit, we bought some of the more robust, unflavored olive oil and we've been using it as a finishing oil (we use some of our Texas Olive Ranch oil to cook with), drowning our salads and fish in copious quantities of oil. We also bought a 12-year balsamic and a lemongrass/mint vinegar. I've been drinking the 12-year as a digestif, and we plan to use the flavored vinegar on salads but have not enjoyed it yet. It surprised us that you can taste everything they sell. We met the owner, Jeff, who stayed open late to chat with us about his store and his passion for good oils and vinegars. We will be telling everyone we know to drop by and try some of the oil. It would surprise me if you don't walk out with at least one bottle. Jeff is full of great information and his enthusiasm is infectious. We will also likely try one of his classes at Whole Foods if we can. If you enjoy olive oil, have an interest in it as a healthy food, or are just considering a fun, interesting place to visit in downtown - put Con Olio at the top of your list. A great date spot!

I'd heard of this place but didn't really think much of it at first. I like balsamic vinegar so finally got around to going earlier this year. Wish I would've ventured into here sooner! I was lucky. The day I went, it was before noon, and I was the only patron in the store. I had a warm welcome from the owner, I think his name was Jeff, and he introduced me to the concept of his store and how it worked. They have fascinating selection of different infused balsamic vinegars and olive oils. I was a little overwhelmed at first, but the owner was incredibly helpful and educating. Not only did he let me taste a number of vinegars and oils, he explained the flavors, what defines a true balsamic, and how you can tell if olive oil is fresh. I was completely enlightened about these ingredients. Many thanks to the owner and his patience. What I ended up buying: - Black truffle EVOO - Hojiblanca EVOO - Mushroom & sage EVOO - 18 year traditional balsamic vinegar (absolutely amazing) - Dark chocolate balsamic vinegar - Sicilian lemon balsamic vinegar Think that's a lot? Yeah, it probably was, BUT they offer different bottle sizes so half of my orders were the little sample-size looking bottles, which by the way are great sizes for gifts if you wanted to buy a few. The reason I list what I got is to show a glimmer into the wonderful selection they have. Loved this place!

So I am thrilled I came here. Initially, I was looking for gluten free bread from GFY Kitchen and was told they only do drop offs. That means you have to place your order online and come into the store to pick it up. However, the sales associates were extremely nice to me. One sales associate explained about their olive oils they have in stock - production, harvest, dates, timing, etc. I decided to buy a small sample only due to the fact I just purchased olive oil from HEB days ago. This is a unique shop tucked away I've never seen. Holiday is right around the corner and I know where I'll be getting some goodies! Thanks Con' Olio Oils & Vinegars.

So many five star reviews, how could I ignore?! I've driven by these place many a time during my excursions to the Arboretum, and always wanted to venture in. I never stopped, always afraid that I would be out of my element without my amazing chef of a mother with me. Well, I finally bit the bullet yesterday, bought that damned Groupon goading me for the past few weeks, and went in with my vinegar-hating fiancee. I tasted nearly everything. The oils were sublime - especially the mushroom and sage (perfect for some goat cheese ravioli!), Tuscan herb (chicken and pasta!), and the herbs de Provence! The vinegars, however...were something out of a dream. Especially the summer peach, strawberry (using that one on ice cream!), blueberry, and cinnamon pear...so enjoyable, we picked one up for a house-warming present for a party this weekend! There is little to say that hasn't been said already by all the other enlightened Yelpers out there. I haven't been able to experience the tour just yet, as the associate was swamped with customers yesterday while the owners were dealing with the Steiner Ranch fires. There were boxes for donations at the doorstep which was a real pleasure to see. There aren't many local digs out in the chain-infested Arboretum area, so this was a huge breath of fresh air. I can't wait to try out my goodies in the kitchen! I definitely know where I'm getting my mother's Christmas presents! X3

This my go to place to buy housewarming gifts or gifts in general. The staff are always attentive with awesome recommendations. They have a variety of olive oils and balsamic vinegars. You can always pair them and get a bottle of 2 fl oz each for under $12.

Need an idea for a date? Check out Con Olio Oils and Vinegars! My gal pals and I strolled in last month and were AMAZED at the variety of olive oils, vinegars and best of all - the ability to sample them all! An absolute must have is the buttery extra virgin olive oil - we make our scrambled eggs every morning with this! The aroma is so buttery - it's a true fake out to dairy. The oils are extremely fresh tasting - so different than what I normally buy at a grocery store. Another oil to try is the white truffle oil - place a few drops into a dish of pasta and parmesean - and the imame will take you to another level. Other selections I love - basil olive oil, the Cortinal oil and the 30 year Balsamic Vinegar. The Olive Oil Shower Gel is amazing too. Step in and be enchanted! I can't wait to go back and try out more flavors.

My husband and I came here for a Google Local event. We never would have thought to stop in, if not for the event, but we are so glad we did! This place is amazing! It's an entire store of nothing but olive oils, vinegars, wines, and items that go along with those things. The owners will take you though an olive oil and vinegar tasting. I know that sounds really weird, but it was actually really great! You get a tiny cup and you just slurp the olive oil back over your tongue. Because this is excellent quality olive oil, you don't get that coated, oily feeling in your mouth that you would expect. And the difference in taste between this excellent, fresh oil and the oil you get at the supermarket will Blow. You. Away. While you're tasting, the owners will describe to you the difference between the oil they sell and the oil sold at supermarkets (and basically anywhere that's not a specialty oil shop). Once you hear that difference described, you'll understand why it tastes so incredibly much better than any olive oil you've ever had. Go here or to the one downtown. Do the olive oil tasting and the vinegar tasting. It's a super-fun activity that you'll be glad you did, and I guarantee you'll decide to bring some of this excellent stuff home with you.

It started when the bf and I decided to eat and hence make more salads at home, I really needed something to get my bf excited enough to try what he affectionately calls "rabbit food". I had heard rumors that Confituras was sold at Con' Olio and then I was coincidentally next door at Savory Spice Shop, I finally had too many overwhelming reasons to not go inside. You know Con' Olio has carved a new place in my regular food shop stops when I have returned every week since the first time. The employees are extremely and genuinely friendly and want you to try their products. My first time, the employee helping me became my personal bartender and kept mixing amazing salad dressings. He based it off what I told him I wanted and cooked most often and he really is the reason I was happy to give it five stars, it didn't hurt that when I checked out we talked about zombies. And here I had avoided perusing Con' Olio before because it seemed too serious and elegant for me, it's still those things but in the best way plus more. Con' Olio sells mostly flavored olive oils, sesame oil, regular and flavored balsamics. The vinegars are intense and I end up using less than I would have before for more flavor. My favorite is the fig so far, especially with a little goat cheese. I also really like the blackberry ginger and have made a great bbq sauce out of it a few times. I love balsamic in tomato soup, and enjoyed their 18yr old aged with that. They have some really interesting mix ideas posted like blood orange olive oil and chocolate balsamic. The meyer lemon olive oil is very versatile. Ever since coming in, I have ignored the 10s of vinegar bottles in my pantry and I keep coming back for more. They do indeed carry Confituras, about three varieties at a time ($8.99). They also sell a few other goodies, like pastas and san marzano tomatoes. (which I order online by the case, but was happy to have found the exact brand I buy for last minute ordeals) If you bring a bottle back to get a refill it's $1 off and with flavor rotations there is always something new to look forward to. It can be a fun mini food adventure spending as little as $5 for your first taste, but beware you'll probably be back. I'm really much better for Con' Olio being in my life, there are not enough businesses I can say that about.

The words mom and pop shop do not usually go in the same sentence as imported olive oils and 18 year old Balsamic, but that is exactly what Con' Olio's is. This place is essentially a small and local, but extravagant artisan shop. You will not find "locally made" balsamic vinegars or olive oils--sans the Texas Olive Ranch--but they actually import some top notch stuff. Also, Jeff says that they actually bring in the oils and vinegars from small family run places in Italy, Spain, and Chile, so it is basically the whole "Go Local" movement being practiced across countries. They also bring in infused vinegars and oils such as truffle oil or fig balsamic, so if you are into flavored stuff, they have a huge selection to pick from. If you are wanting to go a notch above Whole Foods or Central Market oils and vinegars, this is your place. It is pricey, but as always, you pay for what you get. You definitely will not regret splurging on their large variety, and you can even get sample size bottles for a bit cheaper. Oh, and Jeff says that the balsamic is so rich that you can sip on it like Port.

I've visited and purchased here many times before. The owner and staff have been friendly and helpful. This time when I entered the store, there wasn't a friendly greeting or acknowledgement from the cashier Shaggy. He was busy at the time and made eye contact but didn't greet. Thankfully I was assisted by a kinder female on the floor. While waiting for checkout, I noticed Shaggy was chatting up the male customer he was assisting. So does know how to be friendly when he wants to. When it was my time to checkout still no greeting or warmness from him. I noticed and inquired about the bottle filled below the neck. Shaggy dryly said that's a requirement that they are filled below the neck. That's not what I remember from previous purchases and apparently the lady that assisted me didn't know because she filled my bottles past that level. I did not contest but his customer service and delivery was very different from how the owner treats customers. If I return and can't catch the owner there I more than likely will leave.

I LOVE Con Olio! I visited for the first time last night, having purchased a groupon. My friend and I were immediately greeted, not only by the owner but by the absolutely incredible scent of Vanilla Balsamic vinegar wafting through the store. We followed our noses toward the display of vinegars, and tasted our way through some incredible flavors...golden pineapple...dark chocolate (YES! REALLY!), lemon, vanilla, and the most amazing aged balsamic (18 years...you could drink it, it's so good!). We proceeded to taste olive oils, and learned about the different flavors in the UNFLAVORED oils. Grassy, buttery, peppery...crazy good stuff! I haven't gotten around to tasting the flavored oils, but on my next trip...I still have a LOT of tasting to do. The owners of this store clearly have a passion for what they are doing - it shows in the store itself and the care they take in educating their customers. It's a wonderful experience, and I can't wait to use my purchases!

The staff and selection are superb. I recommend this shop to everybody that I know and they are never disappointed and often thank me for it! The atmosphere is wonderful, the staff are extremely knowledgeable and unobtrusive, the product that they carry is amazing and carefully selected, and they are also very affordable. I also love that they encourage you to sample their products before you buy them. It's always exciting and fantastic. I'd also encourage people to sign up for their newsletter. It is a good way to keep up with their current products and comes around about once a month. I really love this store and can't recommend it enough!

This was a fun time! They've got a great rotating selection of oils and balsamics to try and buy. We especially love the garlic olive oil. The vinegars are good on everything, from steaks to salads to desserts... even though the name makes me think of Beavis and Butthead...