An old Irish proverbs says, "Many a sudden change takes place on a spring day." While spring is yet a few months away, change nevertheless is coming to Mulleady's Irish Pub & Restaurant, with new owners taking over the Magnolia digs.
Established in February 2001 by partners Dave Mulleady and Carl Rogers, the tavern-originally located a half-block east of the current pub at 21st Avenue West and West Dravus-was a modest, wood-floored affair the likes of which you might find in the Irish countryside. The pub was famous for its oversized urinal, salvaged from the old Seattle Orpheum Theatre of the early 1920s.
In August of 2005, the pub moved to the new location-a more upscale, family-friendly modern Irish pub, sporting a varied and well-executed menu. The celebrated urinal made the move as well.
With two levels, a skylight, a stone fireplace and a bar that came from Ireland by way of San Francisco's Spaghetti Factory, Mulleady's is a place to sit and enjoy good food, company and drink. During the damp, cold Seattle winters it's a refuge from the cold, somewhere to warm the body and the spirit.
The new owners are Travis Stanley-Jones and Jeff Newton. Stanley-Jones, originally from Calgary, Alberta, traces his restaurant experience back to stints at Dukes as well as Salty's in Alki; he currently owns a Taco Del Mar franchise in West Seattle. Newton, who has worked with Travis at the West Seattle eatery, says he is enthusiastic about learning the pub business.
Lou Brauer, who managed Mulleady's under the former owners, is staying on with the new owners, providing the all-important continuity in the pub's transition to new ownership. Chef Dave Saunders, who logged 14 years at Ray's, will continue running the kitchen, ensuring that the food is prepared as folks expect it to be.
Stanley-Jones said he has no major changes planned for Mulleady's. He and Newton say they want the pub to continue to be a destination for families, retaining the warm, welcoming atmosphere so typical of Irish pubs.
Stanley-Jones, Newton and chef Saunders are planning some additions to the menu; they are especially interested in taking advantage of the fresh seafood available from nearby Fisherman's Terminal, a situation Stanley-Jones describes as a uniquely Seattle opportunity.
They also plan on expanding Mulleady's wine selection, drawing on Brauer's love and expertise of the noble fruit. In addition to the locally available fresh seafood, the pub will be featuring products from local wineries, breweries and farmer's markets whenever possible.
Dave Mulleady, in the meantime, is headed down the road with his wife, Ann, and their pets. They plan on spending a year or so in Vermont, where Ann's family lives, and from there traveling on to Ireland. For his part, Carl Rogers says he will focus on his other business interests in the area.
Mike Davis is a freelance writer living in Magnolia. He can be reached at mageditor@nwlink.com.[[In-content Ad]]
