Main & Vine coming to Villanova

Two restaurant veterans are part of the group opening Main & Vine, a Northern California-focused American bistro, at the former Maia and Avenue Kitchen space near the Blue Route at 789 Lancaster Ave. in Villanova.

Jay Stevens and Kim Strengari promise fresh, approachable cuisine, including sourdough pizzas, in a chic, yet comfortable setting that will include a bar that will stock plenty of California wines.

They're targeting November for the opening.

Stevens, most recently at Morton's the Steakhouse in King of Prussia, helped develop Dettera in Ambler and the Freight House in Doylestown; he also spent time with Starr Restaurants in Philadelphia and David Burke Restaurants in the New York City area. He will run Main & Vine's day-to-day operation.

Strengari, who with her business partner owns the Conshy Girls restaurants (Gypsy Blu, Gypsy Saloon, Southern Cross Kitchen), will oversee all community involvement for Main & Vine, as well as the restaurant's private-dining program. Her role with her current restaurants is unaffected.

Renovations will create an open floor plan with a 20-plus-seat bar, a separate seated counter at the open pizza kitchen, and clean lines throughout. Gacek Design Group will do the interior.