If you buy your oil and vinegar from the supermarket, then you don’t know what you’re missing! After sampling the insanely delicious offerings at Patricia & Paul in Westfield, you’re sure to convert to their brand of delicious artisan oils and balsamic vinegars.Located at 20 West Elm Street near Ferraro’s, Patricia & Paul opened its doors in 2013 and has been educating palates ever since. Exploring the shop is a true delight! Formidable steel urns line the perimeter, each containing a different flavor of extra-virgin olive oil or balsamic vinegar. A detailed description is provided for each one, so you’ll know the age of the oil or vinegar (just like a wine!), and you’ll get ideas for what to pair it with (e.g. lamb or fish). Petit sampling cups and hunks of fresh bread allow you to taste-test every single oil and vinegar–and let me tell you, it’s tough to choose a favorite. My tried-and-true pick is their to-die-for apple balsamic vinegar. I kid you not, I could drink the apple balsamic from the bottle–it is so thick and is the perfect combination of sweet and acidic.

Owners Patricia and Paul Hanigan say that their number-one most popular seller is the fig balsamic, which pairs perfectly with the garlic oil. Other pairings that Patricia highly recommends include: raspberry balsamic with lemon oil, strawberry balsamic with basil oil, and blood orange oil with pomegranate-quince balsamic (perfect for spring). At last count there were 24 different oils and 21 different balsamic vinegars in the store. And by the way, if you bring in an empty Patricia & Paul oil or vinegar bottle, you’ll get $1.00 off the refill!

Besides the amazing array of oils and vinegars in the shop, you’ll find gourmet dips and salsas, crackers and sweets, herbs and salts, as well as beautiful ceramics, cruets, and spouts for the bottles. They have oodles of fancy gift baskets pre-made, but they can create a gorgeous custom gift basket for you. And honestly, even the standard shopping bag that they put your goods in is lovely enough to be considered a gift bag!

I love the fact that every time I’ve come into the store, Patricia herself has been there and has helped me with my purchases. Recently I wanted to create a gift package for a gluten-free pal, and Patricia and her staff helped me select a wonderful assortment of gluten-free pasta, sauces, and goodies.Patricia & Paul can host private events in their spacious store–in fact, they host at least two a month. Their private events provide guests with guided tastings and gourmet foods prepared with their very own oils and vinegars. And anyone in attendance at one of their events gets a 15 percent discount on everything they buy that night. What a great idea for a unique corporate outing or ladies’ night!

Listen, if you want to be the favorite guest at the next dinner party you attend, forego the usual bottle of wine and pick up something from Patricia & Paul. You won’t be disappointed.

HOURS
Sunday: 11-5
Monday: closed
Tuesday & Wednesday: 11-6
Thursday: 11-7
Friday & Saturday: 11-8