Hungry Betty's Reopens Today

will reopen at Village Plaza today 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 three 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.

At the Selectmen's meeting last month, Rakauskas told board members that he has 16 years experience in the restaurant business, most recently serving as general manager at an Applebee's in Danvers and a Bertucci's.

"I've been in the restaurant, I like the space and I like the food," Rakauskas said. "I think (Patty Johnson) has done a great job with the place."

The restaurant, located on the upper-level of 165 Pleasant St., has two dining rooms, a 16-stool bar, capacity for 168 and a recently-approved outdoor seating area for 20. 

The hours of operation will be the same: Monday through Saturday 9 a.m. to 12 a.m. and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 12 a.m.

Click through the photo gallery attached to this post for a look inside the recently-redone restaurant.