We know Andover residents don’t just stay in Andover 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 area Patch sites over the past month.

Below is a look at the restaurant and food stories local Patch sites have covered over the past month. Read through our round up for the latest food news in the area.

BEVERLY

From the creators of Soma and Wrapture, Barrel House American Bar is expected to open sometime this month or next, according to their Facebook page.
The classic American bar will feature traditionally prepared cocktails, craft beer, and wines from small producers with outstanding Americanized bistro fare.
Construction on the inside of the restaurant, which was formerly Mandrake on Cabot Street, began in May. Check out photos from the progression here.
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Formerly home to Tryst, the brand new EJ Cabots opened at 282 Cabot St. on Wednesday, Aug. 8. What can patrons expect? Fresh local ingredients, meals made from scratch, and fine cuisine in a relaxed and cozy atmosphere," according to EJ Cabots Facebook page.
Check out photos from their opening week here.


NORTH ANDOVER

On Wednesday, Aug. 15, Chef Mary Dumont brought her talents to Smolak Farms’ “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 at the former site of the Westford Grille at 142 Littleton Road.
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.
If you're stopping by Mangia Mangia, take some pictures and share them with us here by clicking on the "Upload Photos and Videos" button. We took some pictures of their dishes, tell us what you think!

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Each August, beer and barbecue come to Westford in the form of the Pig N’ Pepper Festival. Here’s a look at this year’s festival.

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TEWKSBURY

For Tewksbury frozen yogurt fans, Orange Leaf has finally arrived.
Saturday, Aug.18 at 11 a.m. 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 to Walmart, Orange Leaf promises to bring a whole new kind of experience to Tewksbury.


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.
Work crews have begun interior construction and the restaurant has announced that they will be opening this fall.



SALEM

Arthur Ingemi and his team are building a village where residents and visitors of any and all tastes can find food, drink and an atmosphere that hits the spot.

The Village Tavern Grill & Oyster Bar is putting finishing touches on its restaurant, which is slated to open in the space on the pedestrian mall where Lakay Island was previously located.

Ingemi said he's just waiting for the "final sign-offs" from the city before he opens.

MARBLEHEAD

Village Plaza's Vietnamese restaurant, Soall Bistro, held its big grand opening earlier this month and sibling owners Mia Lunt and Tan Nguyen were eager to unveil a recently-revamped menu.
The restaurant originally opened on Bessom Street in March within the former home of Kitsen Table.
The name, like the restaurant, is rooted in family. "Soall" is a combination of Lunt and Nguyen's mother's name, Soa, and the first letters of Lunt's sons' names, Logan and Liem.

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The grand opening of Orange Leaf Frozen Yogurt on Atlantic Avenue raked in $4,400, all of which will be split between the Abbot Public Library and the town's Recreation and Parks Commission, owner Michael Hennessy said Saturday.
The frozen yogurt chain's new Marblehead location opened earlier this summer to rave reviews and Hennessy decided to donate all of the proceeds from his big grand opening to local athletes and the local library.
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Yannalfo's Ristorante, a new Italian restaurant expected to open on Washington Street sometime next month, now has permission to stay open until midnight.
At their meeting at Abbot Hall Wednesday night, the Board of Selectmen unanimously approved a request from the restaurant's owner, Brett Yannalfo, to extend the restaurant's hours to 12 a.m.
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Hungry Betty's Bar & Grille will reopen at Village Plaza next month with a new owner, a new chef and a new look.
At a meeting in July, the Board of Selectmen unanimously approved the transfer of threeHungry Betty's Bar & Grille licenses to new owner Jason Rakauskas.
The restaurant was signed over to Rakauskas by former owner and Swampscott resident Patty Johnson. Since that time, he's been hard at work, repainting the inside of the restaurant, hiring a new chef and planning out some exciting changes to the menu.



SWAMPSCOTT

Owners of a Vietnamese restaurant proposed for Humphrey Street will return to selectmen recently for a public hearing on their application for a liquor license.
Nguyen’s Vietnamese Cuisine and Sushi Bar is also seeking a common victualler’s license for the proposed restaurant at 286 Humphrey Street in the former Beatrice Insurance location.
Kevin Nguyen appeared before selectmen earlier this year seeking approval to serve beer, wine and liquor at the restaurant.
Board members said at the time that they would welcome a new business on Humphrey but opted to wait until the restaurant got its approvals from the Zoning Board of Appeals before they took up his spirits request.

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Following the fro-yo craze, Swizzles Frozen Yogurt is now open in Vinnin Square. The shop offers 10 flavors of frozen yogurt, an 18-foot-long toppings bar with 30 toppings ranging from fresh fruit and nuts to cereals and candy, an outdoor seating area, and its signature feature wall with changing colors.
This store, unlike any other, has a private party room which will enable Swizzles of Swampscott to provide fun birthday parties.



PEABODY

The Gokeys made good time setting up shop in Peabody this summer, and they brought their seven-foot sausage sign with them -- the new home of Karl's Sausage Kitchen & European Market over on Bourbon Street officially opened on Monday, starting off the morning with free coffee and pastries for customers.
Bob and Anita Gokey began the big move earlier this summer, moving their niche old world shop from Route 1 in Saugus into a larger space in Peabody.
The new Karl's is not only roomier, but will also have a small European café area for about 20 sit-down customers who will be able to enjoy their lunch or dinner with a German beer or Riesling as well.



HAMWEN

The owner of the Black Cow Tap and Grill in Hamilton plans a new waterfront pub in Newburyport, according to the Newburyport Daily News.
In addition to the downtown Hamilton location, Black Cow also has a location in Newburyport and has been working for years to get the needed permits to put a new restaurant on the Beverly waterfront.
The Hamilton location has been closed since April, undergoing renovations that will make it lighter and brighter. The significant changes to the front façade, including moving the entrance, have been largely completed. The Hamilton restaurant is slated to reopen in September.