I love Ocala.  We all know that, but there are some things that are missing from my chosen home town.  One of those things is a really good gourmet shop.

Wait.  Let me rephrase that; one of those things was a really good gourmet shop, but all that has changed my friends, with the opening of Stella’s Modern Pantry.  Located just off the square in downtown Ocala, this is a treat!

I stopped in for a visit the other day and while not yet officially open, Stacey and Felicia were warm and welcoming and happy to show me around and tell me their plans for the store.  The space itself is lovely, with high ceilings and shelves stocked with the most wonderful gourmet treats, gadgets and serving pieces.  They have incredible salsas and marinades, herbs, salts, syrups, honeys… Each offering more appetizing than the last.  There’s a generous selection of very well priced wines, beautiful white table settings and terrific bar tools and cocktail shakers, aprons and utensils.  There were so many wonderful things to look at and choose from that I couldn’t possibly list them all here.

Then I saw the deli counter. There were dried meats and cured meats (real Cappy!) and prepared salads, gourmet cheeses (so many to choose from!), sun dried tomatoes and gorgeous olives. I can’t wait to see what they have now that they’ve actually opened!

Stacey directed me toward the kitchen where I met Chef Albert Barret who fed me fresh baked flat bread, straight from the oven.  So light and sweet and delicious, it was heaven!

I bought some salsa, marinated artichoke hearts (that I’m eating while I write this.. Yum!), some cheese and a couple of cream sodas for my children, who sat and waited for me (rough life, they ate the rest of the flat bread!) at one of the very inviting tables that they have set up for people who’d like to come in and have lunch from their mouth-watering menu, or maybe just a glass of wine while they make use of the wifi connection.  I think my next visit is going to involve one of their sandwiches, a glass of wine and some quality time with my laptop while I people watch.. one of my favorite past times.

I can’t wait to see what else they do at Stella’s Modern Pantry!

Stella’s Modern Pantry
20 SW Broadway Street
Ocala, FL
622-FOOD

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