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Amphora Nueva
Categories: Food Specialty Food Event Planning & Services Venues & Event Spaces Specialty Food, Venues & Event Spaces
2928 Domingo AveBerkeley, CA 94705
Neighborhoods: Oakland Hills, Claremont
(510) 704-9300
- Hours:
Mon-Sun 10 am - 6 pm
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
40 reviews for Amphora Nueva
Review Highlights
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"...ones - don't miss the wild mushroom and sage or the black..." In 5 reviews -
"Try the thick, aged espresso balsamic brushed on ribs, slow..." In 3 reviews -
"I bought a Persian Lime infused EVO." In 3 reviews
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40 reviews in English
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Review from Swati R.
Fremont, CA
3/11/2012
Don't know I will go there out of way. But this store can add lot of pizzaz to home cooking.
Great selection of balsamic vinegars. First ever came across white balsamic.
Like that you can sample on your own.
Many flavored/infuzed oils, nut oils, etc. Prices are reasonable.Listed in: Berkeley favs
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Review from Ms Radha M.
El Cerrito, CA
5/19/2012
Dear Amphora: Because of you, I will never be satisfied with olive oil from Safeway again.
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Review from Napagirl L.
Livermore, CA
4/27/2012
Best black truffle oil I've tasted, and I've tasted a lot ..
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Review from Connie S.
Hayward, CA
5/6/2012
I became a customer of Amphora Nueva soon after it opened. I walked out of the store with multiple bottles of oils and vinegars, ready to experiment with the awesome flavors I experienced in the tastings. These products have also been responsible for turning a so-so meal into one that is delightful and unique. Once your palate has been educated to what real and fresh EVOO tastes like, you will never buy off a grocery shelf again.
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Review from Bev S.
Danville, CA
5/5/2012
I am not surprised at their 5 star rating. They have the best selection of oils and vinegars, so fresh and delicious! Clean and all in stainless steel. They are so accommodating and helpful. Tastings of each and every variety in the store. For anyone who wants to cook and eat healthier, you should get your oils and vinegars here.
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Review from Mark H.
Berkeley, CA
2/3/2012
Wonderful products. Really nice people. Henceforth, I'll buy olive oils and vinegars nowhere else.
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Review from Rachel G.
Castro Valley, CA
8/10/2011
A must for the serious olive oil connoisseur and novice alike. The knowledgeable, patient, kind staff will partner you with the perfect extra virgin olive oil for any and every culinary application you have in mind. I was extremely impressed with the store's massive selection of fresh, world class olive oils. Each of the 20 or so oils available in bulk to taste had a detailed "pedigree" offering "ultra traceability", crush date, medals won, as well as each olive oil's chemical composition and antioxidant quotient. This sort of transparency and education where olive oil is concerned is simply unprecedented.
The balsamic vinegar is fun and equally amazing. I went home with several! Try the thick, aged espresso balsamic brushed on ribs, slow cooked over apple wood. Try the aged Tahitian vanilla bean balsamic paired with the blood orange agrumato over vanilla gelato, with almond biscotti, or slathered on pound cake and layered in a seasonal fruit trifle.
The combinations are endless, delicious, healthy and addictive. I do recommend setting aside a block of time for a full tasting if you've never been to this store. And if you have been, make sure to visit frequently as this the staff informed me that their selection of olive oils is ever changing. Their collection follows the fresh crush around the globe and they work with farmers in both hemispheres to secure the freshest "olio nuevo" in the world. Often, you can find olive oil that is less than two, three or four months from it's press date - a treat that most consumers never experience in a lifetime of buying olive oil off the supermarket shelf. -
Review from Tanya M.
Pleasanton, CA
9/19/2011
Fantastic ! I happened upon this place about a year and a half ago and have been a regular customer since. I have a pantry full of their oils. I have not shopped or bought any oils or vinegars anywhere else since. Their oils are reasonably priced and I leave their store with so much for a third of what I had been spending. They have a large selection of oils and vinegars from standards to lots of interesting flavors and blends. Claire and staff are always kind and happy to help you with pairings and great ideas. They are even wonderful about taking suggestions and ideas.
Their oils are organic and if you bring the bottles back you can refill them and get credit towards more products.
Thanks -
Review from Christopher B.
Berkeley, CA
2/22/2012
I can't give this place much of a recommendation.
It looks lovely from the outside.
I went there on one of the few rainy weekend days of the year and was not allowed past the door. They said they were having a computer problem and could not ring up a sale. So, I said, 'not a problem. I'll just look around and wait until the computer is back up and running before I make my sale. Or I can come back later this afternoon or tomorrow to make the purchase.' I was told that the store was closed and to 'get out.'
Gee, do you think I'm going back or I will recommend this place to my friends? -
Review from Stacey C.
Berkeley, CA
4/28/2011
Was grabbing brunch at Ric and Ann's and headed over here while we waited.. what a find!
As a college student with two other college students I was a little hesitant to enter the place - there's a bit of a stigma that we students face entering nice shops sometimes, they think we are not there to purchase... however, my friends were hungry and wanted the bread and olive samples. Here's what we found
- really warm, accommodating helpful people who offered many samples and gave us a lot of information about olive oil
- large selection of olive oils/vinegars
- delicious cilantro onion olive oil & butter olive oi & wild mushroom and sage olive oil!
- reasonable and clear prices (same price for bottle size for all selection): $7 for a 6.7 oz bottle, their smallest size but quite enough for sampling and using for a while
In the end we walked in for free samples and no intent to purchase and walked out with 2 bottles each. I think they're great to give as gifts and plan to give one bottle for my mom for mother's day. -
Review from Lydia L.
2/27/2011 1 photo
In my life there have been five particular random acts of kindness that I could recall without hesitation and have shaped the person I am today. Luckily that is one event for each finger on one of my hands. Either I need to grow a new digit or take off a sock and start counting my toes as I have been blessed and feel compelled to share.
I received a most lovely surprise the other day in the form of olive oil and vinegar from fellow yelper Betty H. No it was not my birthday or anything like that. That is just who Betty is. A wonderfully thoughtful and gracious lady who thought I would like to sample that which she enjoys so much.
I received two Olive Oils-a Nocellara del Belice and a Nevadilla. The former I used last night in an organic Romaine salad along with the ah-mazing Balsamic vinegar and some of our just brewed homemade maple syrup and some pink Himalayan salt and cracked pink peppercorns. It was heavenly. The Balsamic was rich and syrupy and the oil tasted like freshly mowed grass. Who knew? All together the ingredients created an unctuous glaze that enrobed the romaine.
Along with a Honey Ginger White Balsamic Vinegar, we are certainly ready and more than willing to undergo some more culinary adventures. UPDATE: Ok, I let my curiosity get the better of me and had a slow shot of this magical elixir. UNREAL! Indescribable. I feel it warming my innards. I have been truly spoiled by Miss Betty!
But the best gift is the gift of friendship which these oils and vinegars represent. Yelp has opened up and changed my world for the better. I have met and "met" some really wonderful people and have been exposed to and have taken notice of some things that I might not have otherwise encountered. For me there has been little negativity about my yelp experiences, save a nasty business owner or two, LOL. I will forever be grateful for yelp and to Betty for showing me just how kind, gracious and wonderful people can be and that underneath apparent and hidden differences we can all come together and find some common ground and be kind to and respect each other.
Thank you Betty H. Hugs. :)))))
http://www.youtube.com...Listed in: Off The Charts, Mail Order Madness
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Review from Betty H.
2/6/2011 6 Check-ins Here
Extra Virgin Olive Oil is my new obsession. I've had a love hate relationship with it for as long as I can remember. I love it in (some) restaurants, and HATE it at home. It has a rancid taste to me.
Amphora Nueva has me hooked on their premium extra virgin olive oils. When I walked into this store, I just knew I was in for a treat.
The store is lined with, sensibly sized, stainless steel barrels that hold dozens of varieties of Premium Extra Virgin oils. Some from California some imported. They also have Truffle infused oil and Avocado oil. I bought a Persian Lime infused EVO. All the oils are on tap and run about $12 for 200ml and 750ml for $18. Return 10 bottles and receive a 200ml bottle for free. I find this store easy on the pocket book.
They carry a large variety of Balsamic vinegars as well.
My purchase was
Traditional Balsamic This is the best-aged Balsamic I've had so far. I read somewhere that they sell one from Italy for around $200. But this one is fantastic.
Cranberry Pear White Balsamic- I mixed this with their Nocellara De Belice EVO, and used it on a Scallop salad. You can also mix it with sparkling water, and make it into a refreshing drink. At first I turned my nose up at it. But when I tasted it, OMG was it awesome.
Honey And Ginger White Balsamic- I mixed this one with the Persian Lime EVO, and Oh Man, was it good drizzled on grilled fish. It's equally as good on a mixed green salad.
There are so many ways of using these Oils and vinegars.
Amphora Nueva doesn't have a website yet, but you can follow them on Facebook, which has some great recipes posted. I saw a recipe for a Chocolate Martini (using their Chocolate vinegar) I don't know if it matches a Lemon Drop, but I'm game.
Check it out. Go in for a tasting. But make sure you make room in your pantry for your new oils and vinegars.
Street Parking is easy on a Sunday -
Review from John Z.
2/15/2011 ROTD 5/8/2011
Amazing place. Hard to add much to the comprehensive insights of Betty H. and Anthony S. except maybe:
You can sample EVERY oil and vinegar they carry, and very easily. Each stainless steel barrel, over the (mostly) pre-packaged bottles, has a spigot. Stacks of small plastic cups are everywhere, and samples of bread cubes abound. Go, pour yourself a tiny sample, take a little shot, leave enough to dab the bread in, and try to refrain from licking out whatever's left over.
But just make sure you go! I got the 'standard' (oh what a relative term) balsamic vinegar; made an emulsified dressing from simple greens last night -- sweet, slightly tart, dimensions in flavor you just don't get from TJ balsamic.
I also picked up a bottle of truffled oil (white/French, vs. their black/Italian) ... never cooked with it before but Betty H. was kind enough to tell me what I could do with it. ;)
I'll be back again. And again and again. -
Review from Anthony S.
Berkeley, CA
Are you a condiment junkie like me?
You know...a condiment junkie. Someone with a refrigerator door full of bottles and jars of various sizes and shapes that might include, but are not limited to; curry ketchup, basil mayonnaise, french stone ground mustard, Indian panipuri sauce, creamy horseradish, imported Spanish capers and anything else they can fit into those small cubic inches without the hinges bowing? Someone who buys condiments just because they're cool or interesting, not knowing if they'll ever use them for anything?
With all of these fascinating condiments on the market I'm sure you haven't thought about the two most important Italian condiments have you? Duh, I'm talking about olive oil and balsamic vinegar!
I'm not sure who the person was who said "Do one thing and do it well" but I think it's a great philosophy. In the age of super corporate box stores like Wal-Mart and Target trying to provide everything to everyone, we seem to have lost our focus and with it the ability to relate to customers on a one-to-one basis.
That's not a problem at Amphora Nueva, a new specialty food shop in the shadow of the Claremont Hotel and Spa in Berkeley that does one thing...okay two things, and does them well. The general manager of Amphora Nueva knows a thing or two about high-quality olive oils and balsamic vinegars and she's eager to share her passion with you.
Astrid and I walked in this morning just to check out the store and pick up some extremely good olive oil. We thought we'd be paying a fortune, but we were wrong! Everything in the store starts at $7.00 for a 200ml bottle. You like that Sicilian extra virgin olive oil? $7.00. You like that 18 year old Cinnamon and Pear balsamic? $7.00. You like that...oh you get it.
You might say to your self, "Self, why the hell would I drive all the way to Berkeley to buy olive oil and balsamic vinegar when I can pick it up at the grocery store?" Well, you've NEVER had oils and vinegars like these. The oil just bursts with the flavor of fresh olives and minerals from where they were grown. The vinegars are sweet enough, with no sugar added by the way, to drink straight from a cup. Trust me, your crappy, tasteless $8 olive oil from Whole Check or your bitter, sour, nasty balsamic from Berkeley Bowl just won't stand up to the oils and vinegars at Amphora Nueva. Benjamin Franklin once said, "A spoonful of honey will catch more flies than a gallon of vinegar." Wow, was he mistaken.
I can't wait until I run out of the oil and vinegar I bought today so I can go back and try out something new! I suggest you do the same.
Cin cin! -
Review from Caroline D.
Berkeley, CA
1/24/2011
This is the most amazing store ever. What a fabulous idea to dedicate an entire store to the most delicious assortment of olive oils and balsamic vinegars, and allow your eager customers to taste every single one of them! Instead of playing the usual guessing game based on labels and names, I tasted at least 7 different balsamics and just as many if not more olive oils before settling on black cherry balsamic vineger. The very knowlegable and friendly owner helped me pick out a perfect olive oil to pair it with, and there I was holding the perfect birthday gift for my boss. And she LOVED it, and is already planning to going there herself!
The quality of their product is absolutely fantastic, it puts to shame the mass produced olive oils and balsamics available in supermarkets. Furthermore the price is totally reasonable so these products can truly be everyday items in your kitchen, and not just for special occasions (although your dinner guests would never know it!). I also really like that this is a family business, and a lot of care, attention, and love has clearly been put into every little detail.
I highly recommend visiting this shop! Bring a friend to enjoy it with, since it is also fun! -
Review from Markito M.
Oakland, CA
2/8/2011
Wow!
Picture a well-lit shop with stainless jug after jug of fabulous olive oils - some local, some organic, some from other countries. Many flavored ones - don't miss the wild mushroom and sage or the black truffle. The helpful signs are wonderful for navigating between fruity/grassy/peppery but most helpful was the sister who guided us through the store until we found the oils we liked best. She was friendly and charming and sincerely seemed to care that we liked their products. For each container of oil you buy you get a bottle of vinegar half off. The have amazing balsamic vinegars - plain and amazing flavors - dark chocolate, espresso, strawberry, blueberry, pomegranate, grapefruit and so many more. We left with 4 olive oils and 4 vinegars. Cannot wait to return. -
Review from Shannon P.
Castro Valley, CA
1/2/2011
Short Version: A must taste and see!
I love to write, so here is the long version: Just below the Claremont Hotel, in a delicious little strip of shops and eateries is tucked the finest, perhaps the only store of its kind in the bay area, Amphora Nueva -- Berkeley Olive Oil Works. To merely step into this new olive oil and vinegar boutique is an enriching experience for the senses. Ancient looking, authentic amphoras (amphora: a ceramic vase with two handles) in all shapes and sizes are erected throughout the store - some giant enough to pose as table legs for a majestic cut of wood that serves as a tasting table; others, dainty and small enough to dot the shelves as collectibles. Lining the walls of this glorified tasting room are the shiny, silver dispensers that pour forth the plethora of sweet and savory oil and vinegar creations.
Plan to lose yourself not just in atmosphere, but most especially in the surprise of flavor. My first visit was on the shorter side, with three children along for the ride, but we were all warmly greeted by enthusiastic staff who offered us each a sample of a chocolate bar drizzled in balsamic vinegar. Yum! But if times allows, you might want to pencil in an hour to amble in Amphora with a friend, for sipping on the array of vinegars along one wall and then tasting the oils along the other wall; and then why not retire to the cozy sitting area with stuffed chairs and peer out the front shop window and discuss your favorites while your samples digest, and the uniquely high concentration of antioxidants in Amphora oils work their magic. All oils and vinegars can be tasted on the spot. Bottles are likewise, custom-filled for purchase, on the spot -- a nice touch, I thought.
With an Italian heritage, raised with an appreciation of authentic gourmet food by parents who own two gourmet food shops, I am a recent convert to flavored oils and vinegars, because up to now, nothing on the retail shelf has impressed me in the category of flavored oils and vinegars. Amphora's flavors are pure, earthy and genuine...as if the fruits, plants, and herbs themselves are dancing upon your tongue.
And now, because I was a fan of this company's olive oils and vinegars before I heard they were opening a retail store, I can even share a list of personal favorites and recommendations: Lavender Balsamic Vinegar, (lovely drizzled over lemon sorbet or vanilla gelato or drizzled with olive oil over spring greens); Persian Lime, (turns every vegetable sauté into a gourmet side dish); Blackberry Ginger (makes a poultry marinade to-die-for when paired with Persian Lime); Wild Mushroom and Sage (amazing drizzled over popcorn with a grated parmesan). Furthermore, I use the unflavored organic extra virgin olive oil for all of my basic cooking preparation.
The flavors are endless and enticing, which is why I am already planning my next trip back...for treats like Chocolate and Vanilla Balsamic vinegars awaiting me. And with the smallest bottle of oil or vinegar starting at $7, I have found no obstacles. The myriad of quality, healthy, diverse, and memorable meals prepared in minutes with simple drizzles of Amphora Neuva bottles are worth every penny of the small investment.
My only suggestion? Eventually, a cooking demo exemplifying favorite flavored oil and vinegar pairings and suggested food pairings would be delightful. But that's probably already in the works. -
Review from Barbara G.
Oakland, CA
12/5/2011
Just wanted to pass along a cocktail that I invented using a jigger of Amphora's Pear/Cranberry Balsamic Vinegar with a glass of Cava (a sparkly wine, Spanish "champagne"). It was this hit of my launch party for my new business (http://lastwisheplan.com) and it was what everyone was talking about. It's a good holiday drink. I got the Cava next door at Wine Thieves, an awesome shop.
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Review from Devin G.
Hayward, CA
1/9/2012
Can you imagine a dipping olive oil so good you stop your serving person during an intimate restaurant dinner to demand to know where it came from and end up discussing it for the entire length of a three course meal? You can get that oil at Amphora Nueva. After tasting just such a creation at Sportivo in Berkeley, I made it my personal mission to seek out this one-of-a-kind artisan olive oil and balsamic vinegar shop. Between the time I jotted the note down on my iPhone and the time I actually first stepped foot in the store, I saw Amphora's bottles in the kitchens of every single friend and family member I visited over the holidays--and for good reason! In addition to being locally owned by a lovely, friendly and highly knowledgeable family, Amphora is a wonderland of earthy and exotic oils and vinegars. From the pure (try the outrageously wonderful California Arnequina--the one I had at Sportivo that started this whole journey) to the fanciful (chocolate infused olive oil--hell yes!), Amphora has olive oils that can change your life (or at least your cholesterol levels). I haven't used an ounce of butter in cooking or on bread since getting their organic butter-infused olive oil, and I've had salad every day since combining their Persian Lime-infused olive oil with their sublime Honey Ginger white balsamic vinegar for the best oil and vinegar dressing ever. Every elixir in the store can be sampled, and they also sell lovely service pieces. My household has already been eagerly discussing which purchase to make next (the basil-infused olive oil is at the top of the list) and know that it will be no problem to participate in their bottle-return program long enough to score a free 200ml bottle of any EVOO or Balsamic Vinegar (by returning ten clean bottles). This is what a specialty store should be...they don't get any more special than this!
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Review from Lee W.
Oakland, CA
2/10/2011
Wow what a store !
Well the other condiment junkies here said it all, but I and my kids and I had a blast trying all the wares. The proprietor was very generous with her time, and extremely knowledgeable. The fruit infused balsamics are unbelievable! I left with an armful of the smallest bottles, very reasonably priced and very attractive.
This is the kind of store that makes Berkeley bearable. Go there and make sure they are successful! -
Review from Kate B.
Rodeo, CA
11/11/2011
I was finally able to stop by this store with a gf after purchasing a coupon deal many, many months ago. Wow! The smell upon entering the store is FANTASTIC! The range of oils and vinegars, all the testing, truly friendly and extremely knowledgeable staff. I think the prices are totally reasonable, especially compared with the quality of the product you're receiving. We bought five bottles after spending about 45 minutes tasting. I think we would have been there much, much longer if we hadn't been stuffed from lunch. I can't wait to go back already.
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Review from Timber E.
Oakland, CA
3/27/2011
Fun place to wander into on an overcast day. I never realized there were so many kinds of olive oil and balsamic vinegar. Definitely helpful staff. Would recommend coming here to find an an unusual "hostess" gift or bday present at a reasonable price - much better than William-Sonoma.
We departed with ginger-honey balsamic vinegar and wild mushroom and sage infused olive oil. Yum! -
Review from May L.
San Francisco, CA
2/16/2011
We fist saw them at Best of the East Bay last year. I bought their bottle of Tuscan Olive Oil and quite frankly, didn't really think twice about it . . . until my boyfriend found a coupon (buy one get one free) and they had opened up a store.
We went and stayed for at least an hour and a half. The place is fantastic. Great products, great quality, and very reasonable.
I recommend this place to everyone and anyone I know that cooks or just like olive oils and vinegars.
I have gotten people gifts from here, mainly the butter olive oil and both the truffle oils. It truly is a wonderful place.
One of the best things about this place is you get to try everything there. The customer service is fantastic too.
I highly recommend it to everyone. -
Review from Kavita S.
Mountain View, CA
Updated - 9/25/2011
We went back to refill our peach vinegar. Walked out with that + violet balsamic and two olive oils -- Chilean frantoio and Australian manzanillo. All that for ourselves. Plus an extra of each for friends! :o)
We were rushing up from the south bay and got there 2 mins before store closing. The hostess waited for us to finish shopping and kept the register open for an extra 15mins.
I cannot love this place enough. Great products, lovely people.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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7/20/2011
I walked in here on Sunday while waiting for table at Ric & Ann's. The store front is very warm and… Read more »
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Review from Simon b.
Oakland, CA
11/18/2011 1 Check-in Here
4.5-5 Stars. Can't seem to go overboard and say five stars. But this place is amazing. As a someone who has a knowledge of these sort of items, I was blown away by their selection and information. This is the kind of store I would have expected to have found in Europe. On top of all the great oil based things they carry they have a unique supply of serving and art pieces that wowed me. I will make sure to recommend this store and visit again.
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Review from Cheryl V.
Castro Valley, CA
6/18/2011
This store is a must for everyone - whether you are a world class chef looking for inspiration or you just like to have a few different oils on hand for dipping bread in. There are SO many choices at Amphora and all of them are delicious! After tasting more flavors of oil and vinegar than I thought possible, I left with several different flavors of olive oil including wild mushroom and sage; chipotle, butter (are you kidding me??!! - this is amazing on popcorn!!) and a really amazing blood orange, which I think is my favorite! The staff are very knowledgeable and incredibly friendly and helpful (with a capital H!). Stop in to Amphora and grab a couple of bottles of olive oil and vinegar, head next door for some wine and then down the street to the bakery for a baguette. You will then find yourself in state of bliss....or a happy food coma. Go now!!
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Review from Jennifer e.
Oakland, CA
8/24/2011
I'll jump on this Yelp-love train! Staff is super helpful in making suggestions of pairings, or leaving you alone to try, try, try.
This is a perfect hostess gift, and a great place to bring visiting friends. And darn if you don't have to pick up something for yourself while you're there.
Do not leave without buying some chocolate or espresso balsamic to put on your plain greek yogurt. Yup, a little scoop of heaven.
Pretty reasonably priced, but take my word - if you like it, don't buy the smallest bottle, it will be gone before you know it (of course there's a good excuse to go back).
The only challenge is that especially on weekends it can get darn crowded. Try an off hour/day for a really enjoyable visit. -
Review from John B.
Berkeley, CA
1/13/2011
Check it out. Great to see a indie with a great idea open a biz in this day and age. Very Berkeley, very good products.
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Review from S v.
Berkeley, CA
6/12/2011
Super nice people, great help and an amazing array of oils and vinegars.
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Review from Christy B.
Berkeley, CA
10/23/2011
This is an amazing place! Best quality oil and vinegar and very friendly staff. Please go check it out. You won't be disappointed.
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Review from Micky T.
Carmel, CA
1/18/2011
I fell in love with this shop and their products.
I bought Fig Balsamic, Cinnamon Pear Balsamic, and Espresso Balsamic today. I didn't cook tonight because I wanted to enjoy these new vinegars with bread and salad. Fantastic flavor! Vinegar can be this good and fun? Yes, I want to try all flavors soon. The service was excellent too.
The idea of bringing back the empty bottle to the shop is great. As a customer we can get the points toward a free bottle after ten points, and for the environment it's a smart way to reuse. It's called "the Green Card" here.
Thank you for opening the wonderful shop in my favorite street. -
Review from Ariana L.
Oakland, CA
1/31/2011
Amazingly tasty balsamic vinegars and olive oils. Perfect housewarming gift or for the person who has everything (like my Dad...who is such a big fan that he's included in the photos here, LOL!)
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Review from JE B.
Oakland, CA
5/19/2011
I stumbled across this place the other day on my way to Peets down the street. What a hidden treat! They sell imported balsamic vinegar as well as both imported and domestic olive oil - it's all available for tasting, which they encourage. The staff is knowledgeable and helpful without being pushy - in fact, the woman I spoke with seemed concerned that I not buy too much at a time, so that it wouldn't spoil. The prices are really quite good considering the quality. My go-to place from now on!
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Review from Kim M.
San Leandro, CA
9/17/2011
I have never posted on YELP before but just have to now that I have discovered this place! I went in to get some olive oil at the suggestion of a friend and stayed over an hour sampling all the different oils and vinegars. On one side is no less than 30-40 oils and about 25 vinegars, all of them SO tasty!! I found great gifts for xmas and ended up with several oil/vinegar combos for myself. The staff/owners are simply amazing, delightful. We were the only ones for a short while and then things picked up but Claire and Nate managed nicely and still gave everyone there full attention. Cute gits, gift certificates, great for those friends/family that are hard to buy for, especially cooks. You have to stop by!!
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Review from kat k.
Hayward, CA
8/7/2011
The most amazing olive oil and vinegar store around!!!! They have everything from espresso vinegar to coconut! You can sample whatever your taste pallet desires. The business is family owned and they are very polite, knowledgeable, and a joy to talk to.
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Review from emily y.
Oakland, CA
2/12/2011
wow, i just stumbled upon this place yesterday while waiting to get into rick and ann's. i never really come up to this part of town but i think i'll have to now. it was really quite overwhelming how many oils and vinegars they have. we sampled a vinegarette made with a lime olive oil and honey ginger balsamic vinegar. it was amazing! couldn't resist getting both of those. i'll surely be back when i have more time on my hands. the prices actually aren't too bad either. a small bottle (200ml) of any vinegar or oil was $7, which seems totally fair. i was lusting after some balsamic at whole foods the other day that tipped the scale at $27 for the same size. i used my new oil and vinegar as soon as a got home and they each took the dish i was making to a new level. it's really amazing how a flavored oil that deepen the flavors of a dish so profoundly.
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Review from Eric S.
Oakland, CA
4/19/2011
5 stars. i'm hooked. all caps.
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Review from Rachael W.
Chicago, IL
8/5/2011
As a guest at a local hotel for a conference, I fell into Amphora Nueva and spent an hour there on each of two days and shipped amazing olive oils and vinegars as gifts (and to myself!). First, enjoy excellent service from knowledgeable staff (shout out to Nate, who appealed to my love of research by walking me through a UC-Davis study of oils). Second, sample a wide variety of fresh oils from around the world and ingenious blends of balsamic vinegar, all available for tasting and mixing with oils as you wish. Third, soak up the savvy pricing -- each oil or vinegar is the same price, so you don't judge quality by price, only by taste. Unbelievably affordable for the quality and variety. Fourth, select from among tasteful, affordable pottery, glassware, and presentation bags -- and well-packaged shipments. Not only do you learn loads from the staff but you can eavesdrop on what someone else is learning while you sample away! On my first visit, four of us had a blast, and two went back later and returned with complementary samples that informed my second visit -- even more informative and tasty. Finally, for the business wonks among you, Amphora's business plan is a fascinating take on the new American entrepreneurship. Check out the parent company's story at http://www.evoliveoil.com. I found this place accidentally, and now I'm a big fan -- of a little store, for cryin' out loud! Wish I didn't live half a continent away.
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Review from Ashley S.
Oakland, CA
1/24/2011
My mother and I felt like we hit the jackpot when we found Amphora Nueva. We make salads almost everyday so to find a place where we can buy delicious flavors like Persian lime olive oil and ginger balsamic was a game changer. Yesterday I had the lavender balsamic on a salad. So good. Also, the brother and sister team that is running the shop is so helpful and personable. This place is a true gem.
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Review from Laura L.
Oakland, CA
1/31/2011
Great place, huge olive oil selection, knowledgeable staff, family-owned, great location...what more could you ask for? The owner spent a ton of time with my husband and I, taking us around to his favorite oils, teaching us how to warm them in our hands and slurp them up to be able to detect the peppery aftertaste that marks a high-quality, fresh olive oil. I purchased an exquisite lemon olive oil that is great drizzled on roasted cauliflower and polenta, a grilled veggie and faro salad, or on simple sliced local tomatoes with sea salt. Delicious.
