Conveniently located on College Parkway, just west of U.S. 41 in the College Parkway Shopping Center, Blue Pepper is a godsend to anyone who wishes to indulge their great taste, but may not have the time or talent to do so. Already, it’s attracting regular customers who appreciate being able to find everything from tamarind to tiramisu under one roof.

With its diverse selection of sophisticated entrees, intriguing appetizers and delectable desserts, Blue Pepper is also ideal for impressing last-minute guests. Best of all, the chefs need very little notice to whip up special requests and will even create a custom menu for you, in case your imagination is on vacation.

In no time at all, you could be serving a party of 10 an elegant, personally-prepared meal of escargot, beef Wellington, whipped potatoes and sautéed spinach, along with fresh bread, wine and dessert. Your guests will never know you can’t boil water (as long as you’re sure to hide the microwaveable carryout containers before your guests arrive). But that’s just a part of what Blue Pepper has to offer.

To keep from being overwhelmed by everything in the 6,000-square-foot store, first-time visitors should allow some serious browsing time. Complete with display cases of fresh seafood and beef (cut to order), a coffee bar, bakery, and professional kitchen, the store in itself is worth a trip.

Not only is the space well-utilized and well-illuminated, it is also abundantly stocked, with everything from fresh-baked bread and imported spices to prepared hors d’oeuvres, boutique wines and novel gift items. In addition to an enormous selection of bottled sauces and condiments, there seems to be an endless variety of cooking oil -- infused olive oils, truffle oils and many others -- and vinegar, including a rare, 25-year-old Balsamic vinegar which sells for $350.

Despite the high-brow inventory, Blue Pepper does not target a caviar-and-champagne clientele (although it does carry those items). To the contrary, many of its best customers are budget-conscious professionals with families to feed and disdain for drive-through windows. Rather than punish the time-pressed with outdoor order boards and take-out windows, Blue Pepper offers restaurant-quality food to go, prepared on-site by experienced chefs.

Besides being delicious and convenient, meals are reasonably priced. Typically they range from about $8 to $18 per person for an entrée and a couple of side dishes -- much less than what you’d pay for comparable food at a restaurant. However, you can certainly sate your appetite for less by opting for a deli-style sandwich, pasta salad or appetizer-style item, such as Blue Pepper’s best-selling summer rolls.

To order, just follow the intoxicating aroma of home-cooked food to the rear of the store, where chalkboards post an ample selection of that day’s lunch and dinner fare. Favorites, such as the ever-popular Blue Pepper meatloaf, grilled salmon and signature Cuban sandwich, are frequently featured. Otherwise, expect a varied menu of at least half a dozen lunch items, five or six dinner entrees and as many as six side dishes.

Because the menu changes daily, there’s always something fresh and interesting to try. For example, the potato side dish du jour on Monday might be a red potato and dill salad, followed by Gorgonzola mashed potatoes on Tuesday and roasted garlic Yukon gold mashed potatoes on Wednesday.

Or for dinner, the featured poultry could be wood-roasted chicken one evening and stuffed squab the next, while the seafood offerings might include crab-stuffed grilled grouper and citrus-cured salmon. Other meat entrees range from various cuts of beef and pork to lamb, depending on freshness and availability.

Of course, if you’re the do-it-yourself type, you won’t want to miss the seafood and meat market. Besides fresh beef, which is sold according to the cut and weight requested, the market offers sushi-grade Ahi tuna and other raw fish from the Pacific and North Atlantic, as well as local catches. Blue Pepper also has a limited selection of fresh produce and chilled beverages toward the front of the store.

Need a suggestion about what to serve your vegan friends? Wondering what wine will go with dinner? Just ask. The store is well-staffed with knowledgeable and friendly people who usually offer assistance before customers have a chance to ask. Further proof that Blue Pepper is a refreshing change for Fort Myers, and long overdue.