Several years ago I wrote a review (for another outlet) about what I describe as ‘one food wonders,’ or ‘OFW’ for short. These are the food joints that sell only type of edible…only rice pudding, or only mac n’ cheese, or only cupcakes. Period. Like skinny jeans and fedoras, OFWs seem to cluster in the East Village of New York City or other such hip urban nuclei. They are popular, and yes, usually quite excellent at whatever delicacy they specialize in. So I am happy to report that little Ithaca too can now boast a speciality OFW shop or two. The latest one that has caught my attention is F. Oliver’s Oils and Vinegars, on the Commons.
Okay, yes, they sell oil and vinegar, but a specialty shop to be sure. I stopped in the other day and was happy to discover a palette of delicious and unusual flavors of oils and vinegars, which can be generously sampled. Overwhelmed with the exotic choices, the woman behind the counter took me on a tour of the aisles lined with stainless steel casks filled with the infusions.
From Tunisian Harissa infused olive oil to vanilla bean dark balsamic vinegar, I begin thinking about the creative recipes that might take advantage of such interesting flavors. To help one’s culinary adventures, the F. Oliver website even has some sample recipes to try with specific oils and vinegars. The shop offers both flavor-infused oils as well as single varietal extra virgin olive oils, which are each made from one type of olive by small-batch producers. When the woman explained the unique characters and subtle differences in taste between the single varietal olive oils I began to feel like I was in a high-end wine shop. The balsamic vinegars are flavor-infused and/or aged, and come in either dark or light varieties.
I sampled two olive oils: Fresh Pressed Blood Orange and Heady Garlic, and three balsamic vinegars: F. Oliver’s 18-year-old Special Reserve (their most popular, I am told), Blushing Peach, and Farmstand Strawberry. All were delicious and rich in flavor, especially the balsamic vinegars. At some point I will have to treat myself to a bottle of the Blushing Peach light balsamic vinegar (my favorite that I sampled), as it would be delightful on a salad.
The shop even hosts private tasting parties after hours. F. Oliver’s is located on the Commons and is open on weekdays from 11am to 7pm, Saturdays from 11am to 6pm, and Sundays from 12pm to 6pm.
