Pond in Radnor to give way to Floret

The gorgeous waterside setting on King of Prussia Road in Radnor that's now Pond and previously was Passerelle will become a Euro-style American comfort-fooder called Floret.

Opening is aimed at December. Pond will remain open through the transition. Pond owner Raelyn Harman will maintain an ownership interest and will honor Pond gift certificates and party reservations.

Floret won't be a big-budget affair. Owners Scott Morrison, who runs Berwyn's Nectar, and Dan Kremin, who cheffed at Barclay Prime and Buddakan, are aiming to draw frequent repeat business with entrees under $20.

There will be several menus -- hors d'oeuvres and small plates to pair with specialty drinks, craft beers, and wines in the 90-seat lounge, plus a selection of burgers and salads.

Kremin's restaurant menu will feature steak frites, fish pommes soufflé and original takes on cassoulet, Amish-raised chicken coq au vin, braised lamb shanks, chicken liver crostini, lasagna al forno and vegetarian shepherd's pie.

Morrison, who went to culinary school in Florence, Italy, calls the style a merger of Florence and France. They'll redecorate, aiming for a rustic farm look.

The name "Floret" is inspired in part by the 1986 movie Jean De Florette, which was filmed in Provence and starred Gerard Depardieu and Yves Montand -- who was born near Florence.