OCTOBER 14, 2010 ISSUE
Art of Oil Offers Gourmet Products for Culinary Inspiration
Art of Oil, an olive oil and balsamic vinegar tasting gallery, is owned by Davis and Meredith Whitfield and features more than 40 different kinds of oil and vinegars, cheeses, wine and bread. Photo by Anne BakerAt Art of Oil, tasting is key.
That’s because the olive oil and balsamic vinegar shop located in downtown Boone isn’t just a place to buy gourmet food products—it’s also a tasting gallery that brings the flavors of Italy, Spain, Greece and more to High Country residents’ palates.
“Boone needed to have something like this,” co-owner Davis Whitfield said. “We took a gamble.”
Davis and his wife, Meredith, opened Art of Oil in August after visiting a similar shop in Denver last year: “We spent two hours trying everything in the store and spent a small fortune on us and friends,” Meredith said.
The Whitfields brought the idea back to Boone—tweaked with their own personal touches—and now Art of Oil features a variety of local and ethnic products ranging from Ashe County cheeses, bread from Stick Boy Bread Company, wines from the Mediterranean region, and, of course, more than 40 different kinds of olive oils and balsamic vinegars.
“We want to be a one-stop gourmet shop,” David said.
“Or at least have all the ingredients for a really good picnic basket,” Meredith added.
Picnic baskets aside, Art of Oil’s wide variety of olive oils and balsamic vinegars make for endless possibilities in the kitchen. Oil and vinegars aren’t just for dipping bread in or for use as a salad dressing. The blueberry balsamic vinegar can be drizzled over fresh sliced peaches, cantaloupe, fruit salad and even ice cream, and the chipotle olive oil can be used as a finishing oil for soups, pasta or grain dishes. The black truffle, a more seasonal olive oil, works well in cream-based soups and mashed potatoes.
Just in time for Thanksgiving, the store’s newest arrivals, a dark aged espresso balsamic and a pumpkin spice white balsamic, arrived early this month.
Part of the fun of Art of Oil is not only the wide variety of flavors, but also the combinations. Some of the oils and vinegars can be paired together, making for a true tasting art: try the wild mushroom and sage olive oil with the delizia oregano white balsamic, recommended for use with poultry and pork.
Davis and Meredith encourage visitors to have fun and try their own combinations. The store’s fustis, or stainless steel containers with taps, sampling bread and small tasting cups make trying the products easy.
Once customers are ready to purchase an olive oil or vinegar, they are able to choose from four different bottle sizes, including 200 mL bottles and 60 mL six-pack samplers.
Orders can even be placed online by clicking to www.theartofoil.com.
The store also features jewelry from Laura Fly and local artwork, including some by Davis, who also paints and sculpts.
Although Davis and Meredith believe stores like Art of Oil will be common in the coming years, the future of their store looks positive.
“We want to maintain our individuality and stay a step ahead,” Meredith said. “And who wouldn’t love a kitchen full of this stuff? We’re not professional retailers; we’re just like other people who love a good product.”
Art of Oil is open Tuesday to Friday from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Saturday from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 5:00 p.m.
For more information about the store, call 828-355-9313.
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