Truffle Oil-Where to Buy?

[mch]

I want to buy some truffle oil as a V Day gift. I know O&CO, Gourmet Garage and I imagine Whole Foods sell it. I'm not looking to spend a lot of money, probably around max $20 for a small container. Any suggestions on where I can get the best Truffle Oil for the price? Thanks.

[mch]

interesting to hear all your comments and good to know. i thought about butter or salt, i just figured oil was best. i'll have to look into it. thanks for your guidance.

[msny98]

The Bel Aria truffle butter (sometimes at Fresh Direct, most of the time at Zabars) is the best of the butters

[davisready]

Try Buon Italia in Chelsea Market

[ttoommyy]

I've never bought truffle oil (or truffles for that matter!). I do love fresh truffles though. I remember reading a while back (perhaps in the NYT?) that truffle oil is divided into two categories: those that derive their truffle-ness from actual essence of truffles and those that get it from the laboratory. It's like pure vanilla extract vs. imitation. Read the label on the truffle oil bottle to see which you are actually getting. Thought this might help.

[erica]

All of the oils are synthetic.

[AllesandroSprezzatura]

From what I've read, all the stuff is fake chemical even if it says otherwise. It really is horrid stuff -- smells like petrol, not real truffles. Why not get truffle butter or salt, which is real?

[Ora]

Try: Fairway or Zabar's for good pricing.

[gutsofsteel]

Fairway, Zabar's, Citarella, Agata & Valentina, Dean & Deluca, Eli's, Whole Foods...