Olive Oil and Beyond

THE STORE SELLS EXPIRED PRODUCTS. Just bought a panettone from Olive Oil & Beyond this afternoon and was told the shelf life is one year. After tearing off the price tag, I found that the panettone’s «to be consumed before» is APRIL 2016.

A must visit for anyone who cooks. Matthew is a true master at Fruit Juice Oil! Just picked up the pomegranate Balsamic and omg is it amazing!

Beautiful, clean store. Fabulous choices of oil and vinegar to chose. Drank some Apple vinegar and it was very tasty. I love you can sample for free. Beautiful gift ideas, all Organic. Pastas, homemade bottled items in oil like peppers, olives and truffle oil. Excited to cook with my purchase from today!

Olive Oil and Beyond is by far the best place for olive oils and balsamic vinegars. I first came here around the holidays and was extremely impressed by the samples that were given to me. I bought some classic EVOO’s and a classic balsamic vinegar for myself and was back a week or two later to buy flavored oils and Christmas gifts for my family. The quality of the products here are amazing and the flavors taste alive. My family was also blown away by the quality and taste of their oils and balsamic vinegars as well. I highly recommend this place to anyone who loves and appreciates a GREAT product. It is worth every penny!

Amazing — I ordered some vinegars at lunch and this afternoon (same day) I got an email saying my package would be delivered tomorrow — now that’s fast!
Their vinegar is so good — better than anything I can find in my local Las Vegas stores. My favorites are coconut (I put it on chicken and bake it for 45 minutes — YUM) and raspberry (use it with walnut oil for an amazing salad dressing).
If I had the money, I would buy every flavor — you will be amazed by how many there are — and top quality.
Thank you Matthew and gang:)

ZERO stars. By far the WORST, most insulting customer service I have ever experienced or witnessed. By the end of the owner’s outlandish interaction with the group I was shopping with, not only had the entire store cleared out, but passers by on the street were pausing to look in on the commotion going on inside. This man, supposedly the owner/​manager, has no concept of how to treat customers, much less people, with decency and respect. Avoid giving your business to this horrible man, he has certainly lost the business of an entire extended family, once loyal customers.
Over the holidays, a group of women went to this store, one wished to exchange a jar of some product that honestly smelled rotten upon opening for a new one. When the woman tried to make the return with an employee, the manager stepped in and proceeded to berate the woman, yelling loud and varied personal insults at her, causing all other customers in the store to feel awkward and leave. This yelling continued for at least 5 minutes. The manager apparently took an exchange as a personal insult. When a friend stepped in on the woman’s behalf and told the manager that he couldn’t treat someone like that, he told them both to leave or he would call the police for harassment. The entire group left with no return/​exchange even considered and all feeling utterly disrespected and appalled.

What a treasure this shop is! Make sure you stop by here if you are on the Island. We drive down from the Pasadena area to visit Matthew and sample and purchase some of his outstanding olive oils and vinegars. The quality is beyond belief. Matthew always greets us with a smile and a sample of something extraordinary! Our cupboard has all kinds of delicious treats from his shop. You definitely won’t be disappointed!

My husband and I are addicted to the wonderful oils and vinegars, condiments especially the truffle salt and truffle oil. So scrumptious. Matthew the owner is so hospitable and takes the time to give you various tastings to see what you enjoy the most. Highly recommend making these oils and vinegars part of your pantry. Your dinner guests will be wowed. And if you ever need a gift for that someone who’s just too hard to buy for, walk into this store and you will walk out with a fabulous gift. We buy gifts here every Christmas

I cannot say enough about this place. I shopped there when I lived out west (Las Vegas) on our every 6 week trip to Newport Beach. Last year, we moved back to the East Coast and relocated to Boca Raton. I tried every Olive Oil Store I came upon here and not one stacked up to Matthew’s gem on Balboa Island.
The quality of the oil is superb and they impart to you a knowlege of its processing and nuances and recommended uses. The vinegars, food products, and other stock is just as impressive.
Everytime I look at my Fusti and a beautiful herb mill that sit on my kitchen island, I remember this beautiful store that I visited so frequently and now shop via their exceelent website!

This place is amazing. we have been coming here for years and its the only place to go. Highest quality and the best taste. Matt (the owner) is so helpful and also shows u great combinations and explains all of flavors. He is always so sweet and u feel like family in this beautiful little shop ONLY GO HERE

A rude owner… I was simply a non local amazed by his cute lil store… I was about to buy some books and pesto that he has and saw a selection of authentic Italian dried pastas with cute colors… unfortunately, I did not see his sign of «no photograph or video» inside the store. So I was ready to snap a pic and send to my sis to see if she wants some… Low and behold the owner came ranting to me about if i have read the sign… I apologized to him even offer him to look at my cell phone that there was no pic taken yet… But he kept ranting to me that how I was stealing from him… Literally chased me out of the store and cursing that I stole something… Stealing? Doesn’t he know that a lot of stores are currently doing basically the same thing?

I absolutely loved this place. The minute I entered the store, I was welcomed by a sample of their vinegar. I lingered a little while and was offered more samples to taste.
I’ve visited this place several times now through the months because with all the olive oils and vinegars out there, how does one choose?
The first time, I walked away with a simple fruit vinegar which is so great on salads. I use it to make dressings or even in marinades for chicken.
On the next visit, I sampled a bunch of oils and was able to learn so much about them from owner Matthew who is eager to teach the intricacies of the different olive oils they carry — and there is a LOT.
That time I walked away with a specific oil which I have been using as a remedy — I take it «medicinally» — a tablespoon several times a day — not incorporated with a dish of any sort.
I am going to return again soon and check out what other goodies there is.
If you’re looking for exquisite and exclusive olive oils and balsamic vinegars, this is the place for you. And not only will you be able to sample before you buy, you will have the expertise of someone there to help you with your every need.

I came to Balboa island in search of some beachy décor for my wedding and stumbled upon this store by accident. The very friendly and knowledgable girl gave us some samples that were divine. I never purchased specialty oils before but now I had to have them. I left with some new goodies that I used to cook my dinner later. Of course, it was delish. I know we’ll be back soon to try more!

I have never been so offended in my entire life. I’m Italian and I love olive oil and purchasing products when I travel. The owner did not let me into the store because he said he «didn’t trust me». I couldn’t believe that he wouldn’t even let me into the store. I can’t believe this is even in business.

Who knew olive oil and vinegar could change your life. Upon walking in you are immediately greeted with deliciousness. I randomly walked in and was blown away by the flavors. I had to make the trip the following week to purchase the lemon olive oil and peach balsamic vinegar. I can still taste the flavors yummm You get what you pay for here. Top dollar for top quality.

One word: RUDE! The founder of this company whose name is Matthew Pour approached me in the store. After a few minutes of talking, I asked him if he has other store locations. His response, «Why do you need to know, that is none of your business!» I was appalled by his response! I said, «excuse me that is no way to talk to a customer.» He replied, «Why does it matter if we have 10 or 20 locations, your question to me was inappropriate and you don’t need to know if there are other locations.» I told him that he was very rude and acted inappropriately. He didn’t apologize for his behavior. I left the store shocked with what just happened.
I will never ever buy any products from this store after what I just experienced.

Terrible customer service experience.
I walked in and was immediately greeted with a sample. Nice, okay, that’s fine. They then pushed another sample of vinegar and I took it. I wandered around, was about to leave, looked at my phone to text a friend, and then the owner and his two employees came over and angrily demanded that I not take photos in the store. Okay, man, whatever, I wasn’t taking photos. I was just talking to my friend.
Turns out the owner is absolutely terrified that someone is going to steal his unoriginal business idea of selling overpriced olive oil and flavored «balsamic» vinegar (oh, and don’t forget overpriced pastas). They make a ton of false claims about the health benefits of olive oil (it can cure cancer and «ardiovascular» disease, according to their sign).
I will never give this guy a cent of my money, especially when I can get quality bulk olive oil without any lip from my local hippie co-​op.

I LOVE this store located on the quaint and lovely Balboa Island. I also enjoyed interacting with the female employee who so kindly offered us tastes of various oils and vinegars, talking us through all their wonderful food items from around the world… SHE gets FIVE STARS, but I have to say, I am absolutely outraged by the arrogance and nastiness of this store’s owner, and for that, I knock the overall stars down to 3… I probably would only give 1 star to be honest, but I really did love the store. I want to be clear about that.
So that I don’t get accused of being unfair and vindictive, I want to reiterate that a very kind female store employee approached us and immediately offered us a taste of some 18 year old tangerine infused balsamic vinegar. It was delicious. Then, she offered us a taste of another vinegar, and it’s funny, but I didn’t like it nearly as much and don’t recall that flavor as a result. I also tasted the roasted garlic infused olive oil. A lovely garlic aroma, but the actual flavor was too light for my liking. She probably would have let us taste other flavors and oils, but we were just passing through and didn’t want to spend too much time in there. The store was beautifully arranged and decorated, and I was especially attracted to the ultra colorful pastas. I’ve never seen anything quite like those. The woman very clearly was trying to make a sale, and I feel bad because she truly earned it, but I don’t know, we just weren’t in the buying mood that day. I appreciated her sticking with us and at the same time, felt bad that we were just looking around. My daughter and I were thinking about buying online because she gave us the lowdown as to how easy it was to accomplish, but then, the owner pissed me off, so that now, he will get NONE of our business.
To backtrack just a moment, the minute we entered the store, there was a huge sign for people like me to see that absolutely no photos are allowed IN THE STORE. Okay, I get it. If you put the sign up, I respect it. I don’t like it, but I respect it. I also never understand it, but again, I will respect those wishes. I didn’t take one picture INSIDE… and trust me, it was such a beautiful display of items that I really wanted to take pictures… and lots of them… for Unilocal… and Unilocal alone. You know, what better mode of advertisement is there beyond the written word… but to have pictures, a picture is worth a 1,000 words, as they say. Whatever, no pictures from here… except for one thing…
AFTER I exited the store, I took a picture of the window display from OUTSIDE the store, as well as take a picture of the sign at the top of the building exterior. THAT WAS IT. So, you’re asking yourself, what’s the problem? The sign in the store said not to take photographs IN the store, but it said nothing about the outside, which is considered free reign no matter what or where one is. The owner, or who I assume is the owner, came running out of the store and right up to me as I was entering my car and in a very angry voice, asked «Let me ask you a question… why did you come all the way from Los Angeles to take a picture of my sign? The picture is on the website.» He was visibly upset with me. I just stood there and stared… and smiled a little while I was in shock that he was actually pissed off about this. Since when is this a bad thing to take a picture of his storefront? Are you kidding me? He was downright belligerent about it, and I was more taken aback that he’d even have to ask. Who cares, quite honestly? I was respectful of his store policy, but all bets are off outside the store. I was so pissed off that I didn’t say a word to tell him how innocent this is and that I just wanted it for Unilocal purposes. He kind of scared me, too, with his attack-​like tone, so I didn’t want to make it worse.
So here I am, and there he is. He has now lost any future business transactions from me and my daughter, who WAS quite interested in doing online purchasing, all over his reaction to my taking a picture of his stupid sign. I still am wondering why he was watching me once I exited his store. Was he stalking me? I left his store. Yes, it’s a great store, but if you go, be careful how you conduct yourself in and around… you may have to deal with his paranoid behavior and get verbally accosted by him like I did.

I haven’t been down to Balboa Island in forever but a friend and I had an errand to run there, so…
I love olive oil and I love vinegar. We were greeted by a nice gentleman who gave us plenty of samples of anything we asked for. I had no idea that oils and vinegars could have so many flavors and be so unique. I ended up buying a pineapple vinegar that was awesome!
The bottles are lovely and make awesome gifts.
Totally worth a trip to Balboa Island. #shopsmall

This store really looks to be the end all, be all for olive oil and flavored balsamics. To be fair, the only two non-​flavored balsamics they had/​I tried, were amazing. The olive oils, meh.
What’s not amazing is the overly presumptuous guy that guides you around insisting you know nothing as he makes assumptions from every little line of small talk you respond back with.
I’ve tasted A LOT of olive oil, dammit. This guy makes it very difficult to shop here, however knowledgeable he may be.