Open in October, the long-awaited Plantry Café features a plant-based, allergen-free menu served in a fanciful setting. Family practice physician Katie Crifasi developed the concept after becoming convinced of the benefits of a vegan diet during her medical training. But fear not.

These dishes aren’t tasteless meat substitutions. Crifasi wants diners to explore the complexity and depth of plant-based ingredients. One of her favorites is maitake, or Hen of the Woods mushrooms, which she smokes and roasts and pairs with creamy vegan gouda polenta for the dinner menu.

Pair it with one of the restaurant’s many natural wines. This month, expect to see the addition of wine dinners, weekday breakfast and Sunday high tea served with luxe teas and vegan and gluten-free sandwiches and pastries.

The Plantry Café

5454 Bluebonnet Boulevard, Suite B

(225) 505-7411

plantrycafe.com