Mint/820 - About Us

Opened: Spring 2001

Location: Portland's Eliot Neighborhood
                816 North Russell, Portland, OR 97227

Owner: Lucy Brennan [lucyb@mintand820.com]

Chef: Scott Guynn [BIO]

Manager: info@mintand820.com

Cuisine: Mint is a Pan American Bistro with influences from the Pacific North West, the Mediterranean and Latin America.

Wine List: Amy Rehagen and Chef Scott Guynn work closely to source wines that complement the flavors of Mint's menu. Mint's wine list is strong and ever fresh, presenting thoughtful pairings by the glass and by the bottle.

Atmosphere: Lucy chose the name Mint, as the symbol of hospitality in Greek mythology - appropriate for this warm, inviting space. Located in the historic Frederick Torgler Building, Mint's sleek, yet cushy interior allows the vibrant drinks and cuisine to take center stage, inviting guests to relax and enjoy.

Interior Design: Maison [www.maisoninc.com]

Photographer: John Valls [www.johnvalls.com]

Media Request & PR: info@mintand820.com

Seats: 40

Hours: Mon - Thurs: 5:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.
            Fri - Sat: 5:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m.
            Closed Sunday

Happy Hour: Monday - Saturday: 5:00 - 6:30 p.m. & all night on Wednesdays!

Price Range: Appetizers $6 - $18
                      Entrees $12 - $26

Payment: Visa, MC, Amex

Web Site: www.mintand820.com [bar & restaurant have free wireless access!]

Opened: Spring 2003

Location: Portland's Eliot Neighborhood (Mint's adjacent lounge)
                820 N Russell, Portland, OR 97227

Owner: Lucy Brennan [lucyb@mintand820.com]

Chef: Scott Guynn [BIO]

Manager: info@mintand820.com

Bar Manager: Jason Boyok

Cocktails: Lucy is at the forefront of creating cocktails that incorporate fresh fruit and food into each drink and has been noted as one of the top mixologists in the country by Food and Wine January 2006 and by Bon Appetit (September 2004). "One of Portland's top mixologists, Lucy Brennan isn't afraid to take risks."

Happy Hour: This swanky spot is home to Portland's best happy hour, with a tempting food menu to complement Mint's dynamic cocktail list. Try the lamb burger with sweet potato fries, and order a fruit forward cocktail, like the Bella. During Happy Hour, select drinks are 6 dollars, and many food items are listed at half price. Right now Wednesday nights have happy hour pricing all night long!

Atmosphere: A 18 foot bar snakes through the center of the low-lit room, lined with Lucy's signature lollipop rimmed martini glasses. The space is divided into three sections - the entryway's bustling bar area, outlined with sleek small tables, a sunken semi-private lounge to the rear of the building, and a seasonal patio open for spring and summer noshing.

Interior Design: Maison [www.maisoninc.com]

Photographer: John Valls [www.johnvalls.com]

Media Request & PR: info@mintand820.com

Hours: Mon - Tues: 4:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m.
            Wed - Thur: 4:00 p.m. - 12:00 p.m.
            Fri - Sat: 4:00 p.m. - 1:00 a.m.
            Closed Sunday

Happy Hour: Monday - Saturday: 4:00 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. & all night on Wednesdays!

Web Address: www.mintand820.com [bar & restaurant have free wireless access!]

Payment: Visa, MC, Amex

Consistently noted as one of the nation's top mixologists, Lucy Brennan is world renowned for her inventive cocktails that marry fresh ingredients and spirits. Her one of a kind concoctions, fabulous Portland, Ore. restaurant and lounge, and dedicated following, have earned her many accolades as she actively reinvents today's cocktail culture.

Lucy captures the essence of her ability to create food forward cocktails in her book Hip Sips, published by Chronicle Books in Spring 2007. Her amazing palate for blending spirits and bold flavors has also garnered the attention of Sante Magazine, who honored Lucy as the spirit professonal for 2007, Playboy as one of the nation's top 10 bartenders (Spring 2007), by Food and Wine Magazine as one of the nation's top five mixologists (January 2006), by Bon Appetit Magazine as one of the top mixologists in the country in (Fall 2004), and by Spirit Magazine as one of the "Best 9 Bartenders of the Moment" (November 2003). Lucy was also the winner of the ABSOLUT Portland Style Drink Contest in 2003, and The Oregonian's "Battle of the Bartenders" in 2001.

A native of London, England, Lucy moved to New York City at sixteen, where she worked as an assistant to two Wall Street stock traders. Her adventurous spirit later took her to San Francisco, where she served four years as a beverage and assistant restaurant manager at the San Francisco Park Hyatt. Lucy's first bartending experience was not until she moved to Portland, Oregon in 1994. After five years of mixing and shaking her way to bar manager at Portland's Saucebox restaurant on SW Broadway, Lucy decided that her inventive drinks needed their own home.

Lucy opened her own restaurant in North Portland in the spring of 2001. Lucy chose the name Mint because in Greek mythology it represents hospitality. The success of Mint and the incredible demand for Lucy's unique cocktails prompted her to open the 820 Lounge next door to Mint in spring 2003, with a mouthwatering list of over 40 of Lucy's custom cocktails including hot cocktails for the cold fall and winter months.

Lucy shares her mixology wisdom through monthly cocktail classes at 820. In her interactive, hands-on, hour and a half classes, participants learn the basics of making three of Lucy's signature drinks, the secret of her distinct lollipop rims, and are given the opportunity to ask questions regarding spirits and the mixing of cocktail masterpieces.

Lucy also shares her expertise by working as a cocktail consultant. Bars, eateries, and events are constantly looking for fresh ideas and flavors as the demand for exclusive cocktails increases. From concocting one unique drink for a wedding to ten for a restaurant menu, Lucy crafts vibrant recipes and trains bar staff to expertly recreate her cocktail creations.

Lucy expands her reputation as a world-class bartender as she continues to mix unique libation creations including cocktails that incorporate fresh food ingredients. As The Oregonian once phrased it, "Something really does set Brennan apart - almost an uncanny feel for mixology that makes each drink taste like some new element on the flavor chart."