Pastime Cafe To Reopen As Taverna In Walla Walla

The townspeople of Walla Walla are buzzing with news that the landmark Pastime  is planning to reopen this summer as the Passatempo Taverna.  Not everyone is pleased.  During the wine boom, the Pastime stood as the one symbol of Walla Walla, the way it used to be.  Having it now operated in conjunction with a winery, as a place for pretty people, does not sit well with everyone.  One of the partners is Mike Easton, who is behind Italian restaurants in Seattle.  Also involved is Jim German, who had previously set up an upscale restaurant in Waitsburg and Walla Walla winemaker Ali Mayfield.  Now, if they could just bring back the Red Apple.