Lamella Tavern opens in San Jose with oysters, bubbles — and a cool architectural element

The chic new lounge in San Jose’s Willow Glen comes with a free lesson in architectural history.

Lamella Tavern, billed as a “casually sophisticated” spot where diners can pair oysters and other raw-bar delights and small plates with Champagne, wine, spirits and craft brews, is a new venture from restaurateurs Jim Stump and Angelique Shepherd and entrepreneurs Michael and Kimberly Mulcahy.

For diners, the question that naturally comes to mind — besides which fresh oysters are on the menu today? — is one about the name. Who or what is Lamella?

You need only look up. The name refers to the vaulted, barrel ceiling of the circa 1940 building — a cool discovery made when the building was being retrofitted. Turns out that’s an unusual style developed in 1908 in Dessau, Germany, by city architect Frederich Zollinger.

The lounge, located next door to Stump’s farm-to-table hot spot, The Table, offers a long lineup of creative craft cocktails, with six riffs on the gin & tonic, three spritzers, three martinis. Nibbles include flatbreads (think Prosciutto & Spiced Tomato or a high-end Baerii Caviar & Tsar Nicolai Smoked Salmon).

Stump and Shepherd also own Forthright Oyster Bar & Kitchen in Campbell and Shepherd & Sims in Los Gatos.