The Ever-Changing Local Food Scene

Restaurant comings and goings, new businesses and the best dishes and recipes are among the items that have appeared on North Shore Patch sites over the past month.

Below is a look at the restaurant and food stories your local Patch sites recently covered. Read through our round-up for the latest food news in the area.

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Marblehead:

Warwick Place Plans Move Forward:

In addition to a and retail establishment, is expected to be home to a cafe that will sell breakfast, dessert and sweets, the building's co-designer said Tuesday night. 

The plan for the cafe was revealed during a Zoning Board of Appeals meeting at , where board members approved changes to the building's facade and narrowly shot down a request to add a 40-seat outdoor dining area.

A request for an outdoor dining area adjacent to the expected to open on the first floor of sometime next year was narrowly shot down by the Zoning Board of Appeals.

The meeting drew a small crowd of abutting residents and business owners to the Selectmen's Meeting Room of , many of whom were on hand to speak out against the proposed 40-seat outdoor dining area because they feared it would mean loud nights and limited parking.

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Casa Corona Opens on Smith Street:

, Marblehead's new Mexican Restaurant, opened on Smith Street last week, owner Felix Bracamontes said.

Bracamontes opened the restaurant with his brother, Jose Bracamontes, who spent five years working as a chef at Mexico Lindo in Melrose.

The pair said they expect Marblehead's lack of an authentic Mexican restaurant will mean big business. Casa Corona still doesn't have a liquor license but Bracamontes said he plans on having one in the near future.

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Former Fruit of the Four Seasons Location Stirs Up Interest:

The former home of Fruit of the Four Seasons on Atlantic Avenue has undergone a facelift in recent weeks. Charles Patsios, a representative of of Stone River LLC, said a investing group didn't rehabilitate the interior of the building with a specific business or type of business in mind but simply "did it the right way."

"Sometimes (investors) will just try to get a remediation project like this done as quickly as possible," Patsios said. "We got in there and knew we wanted to get it done right."

Although he said Stone River is currently accepting offers from a variety of prospective businesses, Patsios, of Swampscott, said he thinks the location would be perfect for a healthy Mediterranean restaurant.

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Hungry Betty's Changes Hands:

The Board of Selectmen unanimously approved the transfer of three licenses to new owner Jason Rakauskas at their meeting. Appearing before the board at was Rakauskas, of Swampscott, his lawyer, John Keilty, of Peabody, and former owner and Swampscott resident Patty Johnson.

Keilty provided the board with signed checks for the restaurant's liquor license, entertainment license and Sunday entertainment license and said patrons shouldn't expect any sweeping changes.

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5 Corners Reopens, Terry's Almost Ready:

Almost a year after forced both businesses to close their doors, recently reopened and is getting close.

for a sneak peek at progress inside of Terry's Ice Cream Shop's new location on Atlantic Avenue.

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Yannalfo's Nearing the Finish Line:

Yannalfo's Ristorante owner Brett Yannalfo was hard at work on a recent afternoon, putting the finishing touches on the new Italian restaurant he hopes to have open later this summer.

Yannalfo's will open in former home of Pellino's Ristorante, located at 261 Washington St.

Although Yannalfo, 43, of Andover, said his professional background has been rooted in "the corporate world," he has always dreamed of opening a restaurant of his own.

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Swampscott:

Swizzles Opening at Vinnin Square:

The owner of Swizzles frozen yogurt says the shop is about two weeks away from opening.

Owner Adam Kessner he won't know for sure about the grand opening for about 10 days. He expected to open sometime in August. 

The shop is located next to Petco at the Vinnin Square mall and construction began in May.

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Salem: 

No Dogs Allowed:

People are barking up a storm in Salem after a decision by City of Salem Health Agent Larry Ramdin to suddenly enforce this law banning dogs from outdoor restaurant patios.

For the last 15 years, more than a few Salem restaurants have become known for their hospitality to local dog owners and their pets. Outdoor patios offer water, biscuits and, in one case, even a small doggy menu. Sunny weekend days bring these folks and their animals out in great numbers.

Another Look at Salem's Dog Law:

This month, Contributor William Legault weighed in on the Health Department's recent decision to start paying closer attention to Massachusetts General Law Chapter 272, Section 98A.

Legault reported the health agent said there have been complaints about man and beast on the same patios, and enforcement may jeopardize the time pups and owners spend together at local restaurants.

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Restaurant News on Derby Street:

The Votto family, which owns Brodie's Pub in Peabody Square, is planning to open another establishment at 215 Derby St. in Salem — the current location of the Seaport Cafe.

The Salem Licensing Board approved an application and a pledge for the transfer of an annual beer and wine license. Word is the restaurant in Salem will also be called Brodies and will likely have an ice cream window on the Derby Street side of the building.