Mint primed for return to downtown Enumclaw | Wally’s World

You may know Ryan Lundeen. If you don’t, he’s the president and director of that striping company on Third Street across from The Kettle. His company stripes everything from parking lots to tennis courts all over the state.

You may know Ryan Lundeen. If you don’t, he’s the president and director of that striping company on Third Street across from The Kettle.  His company stripes everything from parking lots to tennis courts all over the state.

But you may not know that Ryan is very fond of pop music from the late Sixties. This is most unusual since he’s far too young to have experienced that era – he was born in the mid-Seventies – but it says quite a lot about his refined taste in music. And it gave us and immediate, heartfelt connection.

To celebrate their wedding anniversary, Ryan and his wife, Amy, went to see Paul McCartney at Safeco Field.   That’s something I surely would have enjoyed; however, at the moment, my finances were a bit too shallow.

But ramblings about the sounds of bygone days aren’t this column’s main concern. My chief purpose is to inform you – if you don’t already know – that Ryan and business partner Scott Megargle are reopening the Mint Ale House. Ryan hasn’t had any experience with the restaurant business, but Scott certainly has. He used to be head-chef in Seattle’s prestigious and private Rainier Club and one can’t get better credentials then that. (Currently, he operates the White Linen Catering service.)

Ryan and Scott have remodeled the club. Though the physical design has remained more or less the same, all the furnishings are new;  that is, there’s a new kitchen, a new bar with and appealing countertop by local artist Rob Kahne and new booths and tables. (When I was a little duffer, my uncle owned the Mint and ever since, except for superficial facelifts, the club hasn’t changed significantly until now.) There are 28 beers and ales on tap, a broad selection of wines and enough hard booze for a few basic drinks and a cocktail specialty or two.

Contrary to what I expected, the place won’t serve pizza. Instead, the menu will consist of local favorites like a steak dinner, seafood platters, cold sandwiches, a wide selection of burgers, various salads and some truly delicious appetizers. Once off and running, the club may feature some live, but light, acoustic music on weekends.

Assuming the State Health Department concludes its work within the next few days, which it probably will, the grand opening is set for Friday. I hope to see you there.

I asked Ryan how “old man” McCartney sounded;  that is, could he still carry a tune and hit all the high notes.   “Absolutely,” he immediately declared. “It’s one of the finest concerts I’ve ever been to!   An excellent way to honor our anniversary.”

Well, you know what the Main Man said: “The love you take is equal to the love you make.”