Going to a great holiday party? Or a friend's house for Christmas Eve Dinner? Forget the been-there-done-that bottle of wine and bring a bottle of herb infused olive oil instead!

The Midtown Olive Press in North Hills has become my go-to place for hostess gifts and with over 50 varieties of extra virgin olive oil, specialty oils and balsamic vinegar it gives me the perfect opportunity to do my cheesy impersonation of the Forrest Gump and Bubba Blue "shrimp routine." Garlic oil... basil oil... lemon oil... organic cold-pressed avocado oil...

Made in small batches, and pressed within hours of being harvested, the olive oils here are quite unique and they are all available to sample! You can even schedule private after-hours tasting parties with food, wine and special purchase discounts. Each bottle is filled and corked right in front of you and there are tons of recipes in the store and online to inspire your inner kitchen mixologist. 

Midtown Olive Press is located in the North Hills shopping center near Bonefish Grill and Total Wine and is open Monday - Saturday, 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.