As a bit of a departure from a restaurant – and as a different way to spend extravagantly – make sure you pop into an Oil and Vinegar store. Started in the Netherlands, it has now branched out across Europe and has two stores in South Africa – one in Fourways and one in Pretoria and, hopefully, a third in Cape Town soon.

The products are excellent and unique, with delightful offerings such as strawberry balsamic vinegar. Bruschetta is laid out in little dishes, affording you the opportunity to sample their fantastic products such as wild garlic butter and Sicilian Dipper Herb Blends.

You can taste the various oils and vinegars on offer too and it is remarkable to see how much can be done with one product. A further delight is that you can measure how much oil or vinegar you wish to purchase and then you pay per volume – convenient and also a unique gift idea.

In addition to the oils and vinegars, there is pasta for sale – inspiring you to make a delicious dish of your own – and other innovative products (all using, or linked, to oil and vinegar) such as jars of artichokes, feta and oil.

It is truly a culinary dream and the perfect spot to shop for something that will make your dinner that much more special or even as brilliant gift for fellow foodies.

Originally published on Dinner and a Movie.