Bunratty Tavern News and More Nearby Bites

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

Restaurant coming and goings, new businesses 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.

Reading

Bunratty Tavern Projected to Open in Reading in May

Ireland native and North Reading resident Eilish Havey and her husband Jim will open the Bunratty Tavern in Reading this year. The liquor license for the pub was passed at a selectmen's meeting in January. The tavern will open at 622 Main St. and accommodate 194 people. The traditional Irish pub will have a full bar and serve "home cooked comfort food," Havey said. All of their meat will be cooked on site and they will have roast beef dinners on the weekends. They will feature live music and an outdoor dining area for warmer months, she said.

Macaroni Grill to Pay $20K in Fines After Failing Health Inspection

The Macaroni Grill failed a routine health inspection last December with 31 violations, according to Health Department Director Ruth Clay. The restaurant will pay $20,000 in fines. During a routine health inspection on Dec. 18, Macaroni Grill had 31 violations including six critical violations and 25 non-critical violations.

Reading's Sweet K Cookies Featured on 'The Dish'

Kristin Foristall, owner of Sweet K cookies, will be featured on the television show The Dish creating a cookie bouquet for Valentine's Day. 

Stoneham

Yoguee's Joins Frozen Yogurt Trend

The new Main Street eatery offers over 40 topping options for your frozen treat, which come in more than 10 flavors.

Woburn

Irish Pub Waxy O'Connors Holds Grand Opening

Waxy O'Connors has opened it's doors at 1 Rainin Road and invited the public to a grand opening party on Jan. 31. Waxy’s is run by General Manager Oscar Dirks, who lives in Stoneham and has 27 years managing restaurants locally. "Waxy’s is what this area has needed – real Irish flavors, good beer, and a wonderful atmosphere, with live music on weekends," Dirks said. "I saw dozens of people the first night we opened back on the second night. It’s a home run."

Wilmington

Pacific Grove Opening Expected by Month's End

The wait for the opening of the restaurant previously known as Royal Dynasty isn’t quite over. But it’s getting close. According to Victor Hui, the owner of what will be known as Pacific Grove, said he expects his Lowell Street restaurant to open its doors by the end of January. Royal Dynasty closed in September after Hui, who also owns a Chinese food restaurant in North Reading, took over ownership of the business. The original plan was to re-open by the end of 2012, but the building needed more work than initially anticipated.

Andover

Mad Maggie's Downtown Ice Cream Parlor Aims for March Opening

 Main Street, Andover Village should be ready to open sometime in March, according to owner Steve Reppucci. Originally scheduled to open this past October, delays in constuction and repairs to utilities and sewer lines have stalled the progress. Andover residents Reppucci and his wife Maggie had always dreamed of opening an ice cream parlor in town, and at the time, there weren't any places to eat ice cream and socialize, he said. It became a journey, and on the way to realizing their dream, the couple opened Mad Maggie's in 2003, as a seasonal stand on Route 28 in North Reading for 5 years. Mad is an acronym for their three children, Mike, Amanda and Dave, he explained.