News For Foodies: Restaurant Headlines From Around The Area

We know Tewksbury residents don’t just stay in town when they want a night out and a break from cooking. 

Restaurant coming and goings, new business and the best dishes and recipes are among the items that have appeared on Patch sites around the region over the past month.

Below is a look at the restaurant and food stories covered in the past month.

NORTH ANDOVER

On Wednesday, Aug. 15, Chef Mary Dumont brought her talents to “Whim” Restaurant  for an unforgettable evening!
Although the menu’s are desgined by the “Whim” of the chef, Chef Dumont used the best produce of the season from Smolak Farms and created a three course meal that included lobster in the first course, pork, smoked carrots, squash and more for the second course and a blueberry dessert with fresh butter and sugar ice cream.
“We’re taking the best food in the city and bringing it to a more rustic and relaxed setting. Top that off with the fact that each dinner supports a great cause and you really can’t beat it,” said Michael Smolak, owner of Smolak Farms.
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North Andover’s Ninety Nine restaurant has recently undergone a renovation, according to manager Len Caffrey.
The renovation has allowed for more space to watch a game with a big crowd. The restaurant in North Andover is a hopping place these days and here is what Caffrey said the hot dishes are:
“The most popular section of the menu is a section called nine for $9.99 and they’re full sized entrees,” he said.
Among the nine entrees are Pork Tenderloin Tips, Bruschetta Chicken, Chicken Parmigiana, and Top Sirloin Steak.
“The classics like steak tips and burgers are very popular here at the Ninety Nine,” Caffrey said. He was, however, quick to point out one of the top sellers here in North Andover.

WESTFORD

Mangia Mangia is now open
This restaurant's menu is identical to the one found in Billerica, except they currently are not serving calzones and unlike in Billerica, here they have steak tips, haddock, and salmon.


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Each August, beer and barbecue come to Westford in the form of the Pig N’ Pepper Festival.

ANDOVER

After much anticipation it appears that Salvatore's Restaurant will be opening sometime in the coming months at the former Rugged Bear location on Park Street.

READING

According to the Reading Community Services Office, a new Irish Pub is coming to Reading. The Bunratty Tavern will open at 622 Main St.

The tavern will start demolition at some point this summer and will renovate throughout the fall in the historic M.F. Charles building. They will offer a full bar and are looking to incoorporate an indoor area for live music, according to the Community Services Office. The tavern will also include an outdoor dining area for warmer months. 

NORTH READING

Starting Saturday Aug. 25,  in North Reading will offer Mrs. Felix's Cupcakes.

Stop by Heav’nly Donuts on Aug. 25 from 9 a.m. to noon for the launch featuring free face painting, coupons, raffles for a free dozen of Mrs. Felix’s Cupcakes, a coloring station and, of course, cupcakes.

There may be an Asian restaurant, Ginger Gourmet, opening at 265 Main St. The restaurant's management requested a liquor license at the Board of Selectmen meeting Monday night. The public hearing was opened, and will be continued on Sept. 17 at the board's next meeting.

According to Manager Mark Zeng, the restaurant is going to be a first class, fine dining Asain restaurant with Chinese and Japanese food.

WILMINGTON

For Mary Buscone and Tracy Botehlo, it was a sweet weekend. The Wilmington residents celebrated the grand opening of their , Fro-Yo to Go.

After a night of business on Friday, Fro-Yo to Go hosted a grand opening celebration throughout Saturday with face painting, free popcorn and of course plenty of self-serve frozen yogurt to go around.

TEWKSBURY

Saturday, Aug. 18 marked the long-awaited and much anticipated grand opening of the new Orange Leaf frozen yogurt. Located on Route 38 at Wamesit Place, near the entrance, Orange Leaf promises to bring a whole new kind of experience to Tewksbury. 

Orange Leaf arrives in town with a decidedly local flavor. Two of the three owners are Tewksbury residents and the staff is filled almost entirely with local students. With inviting décor, a fun atmosphere, 16 flavors of self-serve yogurt and 35 different toppings to choose from, it seems to have the makings of a popular destination.

Sue Amato's heart doesn't actually pump Marinara sauce through her veins, but it might as well.

Amato has spent her whole life around Italian cooking and restaurants. Next month, all that experience will pay off, as she opens Angelina's Ristorante at 1866 Main St., in the space that once was home to The Black Olive.

"Right now we're looking at the first week in September. We're very excited," said Amato, who has live in Tewksbury with her husband, Vinnie, and their children for 20 years. "We've got our staff lined up. It's a great staff, they have a lot of experience."