Flora: Vegetarian BYOB in Jenkintown

Jose Vargas - who has bounced around the region over the last seven years with a list of restaurants (Rylei - first in Mayfair and then in Richboro, Thyme in New Hope, the Restaurant at Nostalgia in Chalfont, and Leila's Cafe in Elkins Park) - seems to have settled into a groove in Jenkintown.

He and his wife, Jennifer, have

Leila's Bistro

on West Avenue, the shoebox-size

» READ MORE: Forcella

on Old York Road, and now a third:

Flora

(307 Old York Rd., 215-779-7945). Opening night is Tuesday, Nov. 11

Flora - a 16-seat BYOB where Taste the Difference and Klapholz's Kosher Deli were (next door to Marzano Ristorante and across from Drake Tavern) - serves a $40 four-course vegetarian/vegan dinner from 5 to 9 p.m. Tuesday to Saturday. It's cash or check only.

Chef Max Hosey, most recently (like last month) winning two Craig LaBan bells at Charlie was a sinner., also lists San Francisco's Townhall, Los Gatos' Manersa  Winterland Restaurant, and Chestnut Hill's Mica on his resume.

Hosey says he's not labeling his food "vegetarian" or "vegan," per se - more about "vegetables."

Menu:

First Course:
Jerusalem artichoke soup, crispy shallots, black garlic
Harvest salad, truffle vinaigrette, local field greens
Fuyu persimmon, mission figs, pine nuts

Second Course:
Traditional tamales, chipotle, salsa verde
Country fried hen of the woods, truffle agave grits, okra
Hoppin John's black eye peas, charred avocado, snow peas
Spiced cauliflower, royal trumpet, dried fruit
 
Third Course:
Wild mushroom duxelle, potato crisp, mushroom jus
Roasted brussels sprouts, brunt onion marmalade, sushi rice crisp
Grilled artichokes, broccoli rabe, meye lemon, white beans
Traditional pepper pot, red lentils, sweet potatoes

Fourth Course:
Quince espuma, almond cake, apple cider granita
Beignets and chocolate
Plantains, coconut, agave peanuts

Speaking of the Vargases: They're also developing Roberts Block, a restaurant coming to Glenside.

And speaking of Jenkintown: Guild Hall Brewing Co., the brewpub under construction next to the Hiway, is looking at a February debut.

And speaking of Old York Road: Señor Salsa, being built across from Abington Memorial Hospital (where Timber and The Inn Flight were), is supposedly three weeks out.