It’s so refreshing to discover these hidden gems in the more remote places of Greece, where time stands still. Panagia pantry shop is exactly the place you’re looking for if you’re interested in witnessing how real life looks like for locals in Serifos.
Prompted by a fellow TFPer and avid photographer, we go on a detour from our post-beach daze to find this pantry-shop-cum-taverna that’s neatly tucked away in the remote village of Panagia. As we walk around the empty village navigating through its main square that used to house 8 cafés, we take note of the old plastic neon light sign outside. Mrs Antonia Gerontari, sitting patiently next to her fresh homegrown vegetables and fruit, comes outside to greet us. It’s a smiling face and warm heart, you can tell from the withering face and her welcoming sight.
Before the rest of our company arrives, I chat with her and as the conversation drags, she pauses “should I go and start peeling some potatoes?”.
We sit down at just about the only table outside, a makeshift one from the stucco walls and the perch, and are offered the a la carte. Which is literarily what she has in mind for today – no menu in sight and none needed really. In a little while she starts serving us all of her goodies. A generous portion of a Greek salad sprinkled with fresh oregano and some andrakla greens (what a delight!), some lightly fried small green peppers wet from vinegar, fried meatballs with french fries and a big portion of ragu pasta. What a feast!
All of the products, ranging from canned goods to toiletries are neatly stacked on the wall as they once were. There’s even a really old scale to weigh vegetables and fruit. An amazing dive in time!
Thankfully, places like this that have been around since 1935, still exist.
