What it is: Sake expert Derrick Lim, and Santi and Ola Cocina Del Mar alum Pepe Moncayo have teamed up to launch this Japanese-Spanish small plates joint on uber hot Tras Street (right next to where well-known Italian restaurant Gattopardo will reopen later this month).
What’s hot: The location of the space on the popular restaurant stretch (which also recently welcomed new bars House of Dandy and Jekyll & Hyde) makes it a convenient stop while on a bar hop. Their selection of sake (from $15/glass; $30/carafe) — kept in a cool glass sake cellar — is pretty good too, with labels imported direct from Japanese breweries.
What’s not: The tiny portions of none-too-exciting fare. There isn’t much fusion here. Most dishes ($5 — 32) are straight up Spanish, with a few token additions like sakura ebi. We’re also not crazy about the more than 20-seat long bar counter. All the cooking action takes place on the far end of the bar, leaving diners seated nearer the entrance pretty lonesome with just a view of the restaurant’s coffee machine.
Verdict: Cold. The solid sake selection and prime location can’t hide the fact that the food and layout of the space needs some serious tweaking.
Bam! Tapas-Sake Bar is located at 38 Tras St., 6226-0500. Open Mon – Sat 6pm –12am.
