You have to admire the aggressiveness of this man. Being a continuous restaurant owner in the current less favorable business environment is like selling umbrellas and umbrellas in the current drought. However, Jim Stump-who has worked at Los Gatos Brewing Company, Forthright Oyster Bar and The Vesper, and Willow Glen's The Table-is an opportunist and optimist.

Stump opened the long-awaited Shepherd & Sims in the former Viva space on Los Gatos Boulevard in September. He collaborated with his daughter Janon, son Kyle and SDS NextGen Partners at Lamella Tavern. Lamella Tavern is his new store located across the street from The Table in Lincoln. Restaurant Avenue. Lamella offers a carefully crafted series of in-house cocktails and a raw bar for guests 21 years and older.

"Willow Glen really has nothing else like this," Stump said. "This is a place where people can have a martini and some oysters before dinner, and then go to The Table or anywhere for dinner."

"Lamella" refers to the arched, cross-hatched roof of the restaurant.

"There is no structure, only open space," Stump said.

There are 40 seats inside and 10 outside on the terrace. He described the appearance as clean and fresh, with beautiful glassware and plates.

Lamella Tavern took over the 2,000-square-foot restaurant, formerly a vegetarian restaurant called The Source, which closed in June 2020. Stump said it has a full kitchen and a large walk-in restaurant, as well as an existing bar, but no hood.

It may take at least a year for Stump’s oyster bar to feel the effects of the heat wave that hit British Columbia and Puget Sound oyster farms in July, as oysters usually take 12 to 18 months to mature.

"In November, oysters started to come from pristine waters from New Zealand and Rhode Island, and Kumiai from the Pacific side of Mexico (Baja)," Stump said. "Their cups are deep and very salty because there is no effect of fresh water."

Lamella’s artisan cocktail list has 13-dollar beauties, including Uptown Girl (based on vodka), Driving Miss Daisy (reposado and Cointreau), Old Navy (based on gin), Mama's Medicine (reposado and messal), and Lamella’s vintage by 10 Made by Eagle Rare in the year.

Stump's son Kyle created Lamella's cocktail list. "He also made cocktails for Shepherd & Sims," ​​Stump said. "In the tavern, they are based on white wine, and based on brown."

Lamella Tavern is open at 1109 Lincoln Ave. #10A from Wednesday to Saturday at 4 pm and Sunday at noon.

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