Oil and vinegar tasting stores are officially a trend in the D.C. area, with two already open at Bethesda Row and Pike & Rose. But for those who don’t know their arbequinas from their ascolanos, the vast array of bottles can be a bit overwhelming. Enter Cleo’s Oil Bar, opening April 1st at Westfield Montgomery Mall with a winery-inspired layout just outside the Godiva store. Visitors will belly up to an 18-foot-long bar, peruse the menu for some flavors to try, then sip their samples in the nearby seating area. “Our concept is to demystify this whole thing for people who want to try these products,” says Cleo’s co-owner Linda Cameron, who also has a full-sized store in Annapolis. “We want people to see how fun and adventurous it can be to pair a Blackberry Balsamic with an Agrumato Lime Oil on top of your field greens and goat cheese.”
