Bunratty Tavern Opening in Reading and More Nearby Restaurant News

We know Reading and North Reading 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.

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.

WAKEFIELD

In its near-decade of existence, Fred's Franks has built a following that extends throughout the area, with a high-visibility location heading into Wakefield from the Route 128 rotary.

However, on Monday, the owner of Fred's Franks, Carl Galasso, told Wakefield Patch that the business is currently facing some considerable uncertainty. Earlier in the day, he reported receiving a visit from a man identifying himself as a representative of a state agency who told him he would not be able to continue operating the hot dog stand on the site because it is on a state-owned highway right of way. Failure to move the stand could result in daily fines, Galasso said he was told.

 About a week ago, one of Wakefield's newest businesses went into operation - Big Jon's Pizzeria is at 927 Main Street, in the building formerly occupied by Nick and Ally's Pizzeria.

Wakefield's newest business owner is Jon D'Amelio of East Boston, who spent about three years working at Slice in Wakefield. He reported that he also spent about six years cooking at various restaurants in the North End.

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."