Phila. vegetarian spot from creator of Blue Sage

Ten years after creating the vegetarian destination Blue Sage in Southampton, Bucks County, chef-owner Mike Jackson has rolled out Thoreau Vegetarian Grill at 1033 Spring Garden St. (215-232-9001).

It's a snug, white-tablecloth 35-seater in the storefront across from Spaghetti Warehouse that last housed Palate. It's BYOB - open for dinner Tuesdays through Saturdays - until the liquor license arrives. Once warmer weather kicks in, Jackson will add lunch, a vegetable and herb garden outside his kitchen door, and outdoor seating in the lot next door.

Jackson shuns tofu and seitan in his cooking; among dishes are green curry summer rolls, falafel served in a pressed lavash, tamarind peanut noodles, and plantain empanadas (entrées: $14 to $20).

Jackson still owns Blue Sage with his former wife, Holly.

Floret, a handsome Euro in the lovely former Pond and Passerelle at 175 King of Prussia Rd. in Radnor (610-293-9411), has opened under Scott Morrison with chef Dave Walti (ex-Spence Cafe). Entrées - think cod Française; risotto; steak frites; salmon frites; mussels and clam frites; and boneless short ribs - are $15 to $19, and for now, it's open every night except Sundays.

Elkins Park-bred Michael Spector has entered the deli business with the simply named Delicatessen, at 703 Chestnut St. (215-923-4560) in the former Kibitz in the City space. Spector says the "modern Jewish deli" menu is studded with old favorites and newfangled twists. (The pressed pastrami sandwich on challah is called a Jubano.) The simple interior includes tin and white-tiled walls, a counter for takeout, and (would you believe) reclaimed church pews. It's open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily, for now. Menu is at http://is.gd/8WExv.

Sampan at 13th and Sansom Streets is closed at lunchtime. Tomorrow, you might see a private party unfolding: Chef-owner Michael Schulson will host the bris of his son Jordan, born last week to the restaurateur and his wife, Jill. The couple have an older son, Davin, 3.

After 15 years, Joe Brown has closed his Mélange Café in Cherry Hill to concentrate on Mélange @ Haddonfield, his newer Louisiana- and Southern-inspired restaurant at 18 Tanner St.

Four restaurants on the 1600 block of East Passyunk Avenue (Mamma Maria, Fond, Paradiso, Izumi) offer valet parking for $8.

Pending city approval, Pizzeria Stella (Second and Lombard Streets) will expand next door, into the former Equilibrium Pilates studio on Second Street. Owner Stephen Starr says it will add 30 seats and have a bar serving wine and beer.

Tony Luke Jr. will not only serve food at the New Orleans Roadfood Festival (March 26-28 in the French Quarter), he'll also emcee a beignet-eating contest that will pit New Orleans firefighters against New Orleans police officers.

The Greater New Hope Chamber of Commerce has assembled 17 restaurants for the first New Hope Restaurant Week (March 21-26). Offered will be $29.95 three-course prix-fixes. List of restaurants is at www. newhopechamber.com/restaurant-week.