While news of the Boston Public Market opening dominated the food scene over the last couple of weeks, a beautiful new artisan food store opened quietly in Brookline, welcoming friends and neighbors into a serene, light-filled space filled with delicious things.

The Olive Connection, in the interest of full disclosure, is a client of mine, and I love working with them.  The dream-come-true of a Brookline family, the Olive Connection is more than a store. It’s a tasting room, a takeaway cafe (for charcuterie, bread, and cheese), a gift shop, and a place where the owners truly want to connect with customers and to share with them their favorite tastes.

  I spent Friday afternoon perusing the shelves of the Olive Connection and wanted to buy everything I saw. From beautiful bottles of honey from around the world to their opening theme – BBQ items – I found myself thinking of ideas for entertaining and cooking at home.

One of the most fun parts about the Olive Connection is its selection of products available to taste, including flavored balsamic vinegars and olive oils. Chocolate Espresso Balsamic Vinegar? I could see this being a delicious addition to a brownie sundae.

I thought Toasted Coconut sounded amazing too; maybe in a peanutty Asian-inspired slaw?

I could see this Champagne Mimosa Vinegar being great in a refreshing cocktail for Sunday brunch. Olive oil and vinegar cocktails are becoming increasingly popular, and the Olive Connection has so many flavor options for experimenting.

In the end I went with a classic Balsamic and a Citrus Habanero oil, which has been heavenly on avocado toast in in whole grain salads with fresh garden veggies.

The Olive Connection has so much more than vinegars and oils; they’re well-stocked with ingredients for your perfect pasta dinner and have all sorts of other items like salts, syrups, and even teas.

  While I was in the store, a sampling of Mem Tea was happening, and the Olive Connection has plans to have many more in-store tastings and events. They have the ability to help you create custom gifts for parties, weddings, and corporate gifts, all to the taste of the recipient.

The Olive Connection is a store with food lovers in mind, and as we head toward the fall, I see it being the perfect place to pick up ingredients for a cozy night in.