Table Talk:

Cantina Laredo, an upmarket modern-Mexican chain out of Dallas, opened this week in the Court at King of Prussia next to California Pizza Kitchen (690 W. DeKalb Pike, 610-992-5701). Menu, with most entrées priced below $18, includes guacamole made tableside. Its bar, when fully stocked, will have about 100 varieties of tequila. The comfy interior includes a fireplace.

Tiffin, the Indian chain, has opened a branch in Voorhees' Echo Shoppes (200-300 White Horse Rd.). Oct. 8 is the projected opening of a branch in Cherry Hill's Greentree Place.

Robeks, the L.A.-rooted, made-to-order smoothie/fresh juice company, has opened at 1035 Chestnut St. The local operator, Kimberly Berger, expects to open several dozen more locations in the region.

Northeast Philadelphia's restaurant diet is larded with pizza parlors, corner bars, casual chains, and fast food.

Which makes the opening of Blue Duck Sandwich Company (2859 Holme Ave., 267-686-4687) all the more significant.

The contemporary BYOB in a strip mall has an airy yet homey feel - counter seating and table seating, including a wooden farm table - that would not be out of place downtown. Business partners Kris Serviss, the chef, and Joe Callahan hired Eimer Design, which laid out the Fat Ham and Good Stuff Eatery.

"Sandwich" in the name is a misnomer. Serviss' sub-$20 menu includes dinner entrées (scallops, fried chicken, pastas) and a mac-and-cheese selection that will make you glad Nazareth Hospital is a minute away.

Blue Duck got a whiff of fame in June when it won the people's choice award at Philadelphia's Burger Brawl, besting about 50 competitors. The winning burger - a blend of ground pork roll and chuck and topped with fried quail egg, Cooper American, and sriracha mayo and served on a potato roll - is on the menu.

It will be open for lunch/brunch and dinner Tuesday to Sunday. (Its opening will be Monday, Sept. 29.)

Cantankerous Scotsman Gordon Ramsay is taking over the space in Caesars Atlantic City soon to be vacated by Mia's, as chef/owner Chris Scarduzio plans to consolidate his life in Delaware County. Mia's, which opened in 2005, is expected to close in mid-October. Ramsay's restaurant, to open in early 2015, will be a branch of his Gordon Ramsay Pub & Grill, a British-themer whose concept and look exist right now at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas.

Many of East Passyunk's bars make a fine burger. The strip, however, will get a dedicated burger shop this November. P'unk Burger (1823 E. Passyunk Ave.) is being prepped by Marlo and Jason Dilks, who own the SLiCE pizzerias in South Philly, Rittenhouse, and Washington Township.

Finnigan's Wake, the bar/politico hangout at Third and Spring Garden Streets for 17 years, is closed, pending a sale.

So Crepe, which has developed a following in its year and a half at 1506 South St., expects to open a second shop later this year at 4357 Main St. in Manayunk.