Table Talk

There's a taste of Maine on the Main Line, as Quincy's Original Lobster Rolls has replaced a bike shop in Swedesford Plaza, off Route 202 in Berwyn (414 W. Swedesford Rd., 484-328-3905). There's no Quincy; the partners thought the name evoked Down East. One wall is done up to resemble a fishing shack, while the opposite wall bears a gigantic photo mural of Bass Harbor, on Mount Desert Island. Order at the counter, sit with a number, and a runner totes the food to the table. Rolls ($10.95 for the original version) are simple: lobster meat sourced to Maine, a seasoning including lemon butter, and a bit of mayo on a toasted, split-top roll. In a more contemporary twist, you can add tomato and bacon to a roll for $1 additional. Hours are 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily, and it's BYOB starting at 4 p.m.

The Strip Joint - that's a pun on steak, hardy-har-har - opens Friday, as owner Nancy Law swaps out her pub SoWe at 22d and Carpenter Streets (215-545-5790). Law intends the steak house - whose entrées, served with salad and potato, will top out at $19 - as a value that fills a void in the city. She also said she would sell 10 bottles of wine for $30 or less. It will be open for weekend brunch (starting Sunday) as well as dinner nightly and lunch Friday.

Another Smashburger is online. It opened this week in front of Echelon Village Plaza (1120 White Horse Rd., Voorhees). Last month, a Smashburger opened in Cherry Hill at 56 Haddonfield Rd. (next to Wawa in North Mall Plaza).

Mid-February is the target for the region's first BurgerFi, a Florida-based patty palace under construction in a strip of stores along 12th Street across from Reading Terminal Market. Menu will have Angus burgers, dogs, fries, onion rings, custards, Mexican Coke, plus wine and beer.

With Ela running like a top in Queen Village, chef-owner Jason Cichonski is opening his second place. Philadelphia Bar & Restaurant at 120 Market St. in Old City will become the Gaslight, a "relatively neighborhood-friendly bar," in the next few weeks. He is partnering with PBR co-owner partner Charlie McMaster. Among key features will be brunch served all day, including at dinnertime Sunday to catch late risers, like Cichonski.

Chef Townsend Wentz, a Lacroix and Four Seasons alum who won plaudits for his work at McCrossen's Tavern in the Art Museum area, has signed a lease at 1623 E. Passyunk Ave., the former Sophia's and Salt & Pepper. His unnamed bistro, to open in the spring, will serve wine-driven, modern French food.

Divorce is forcing the sale of the hoagie mecca Chickie's Italian Deli at 1014 Federal St. Price tag for the business, good will, and building is $750,000. Co-owner Henry George said he would relocate nearby; for now, it's business as usual.

Restaurateurs Jim and Kristina Burke, who sold their critically acclaimed James in Bella Vista three years ago to move to New York for some high-profile work (for Stephen Starr and later Daniel Boulud), have returned to Philadelphia. Jim Burke said he was weighing several offers.