
Meet Bar Siesta, Silver Lake’s Charming New Destination for Spanish Tapas & Wine
A few short weeks after the closure of longtime neighborhood favorite Alimento, pedestrians along busy Silver Lake Boulevard noticed signs of new life in the space. A striped green awning and hand painted sign soon announced the arrival of Bar Siesta, a charming new Spanish wine and tapas bar from Heather Sperling, co-owner of nearby Botanica, and Lucia Flors and Carlos Leiva, founders of cult-favorite tinned fish company Siesta Co.
The trio became friendly as Spanish natives Flors and Leiva were preparing to launch their conservas brand in 2020. Sperling, a “lifelong Hispanophile” who grew up traveling to Spain with her family, was quick to feature Siesta Co. products at Botanica. When Flors and Leiva shared their dream of launching a Spanish wine bar and shop, Sperling, a perpetual entrepreneur who keeps close tabs on local real estate, sprang into action. “This project came together so quickly and easily, it was almost like it was cosmically meant to be,” she says.
Here, she walks us through the food (tinned fish, of course, but so much more), all-Spanish drinks, and everything else you need to know before you go.


Traditional tapas with a California twist
“Spanish cooking is rustic, lusty, and within it there’s so much regional diversity,” Sperling says. Making full use of the “amazing abundance” of Southern California produce and products, Sperling and executive chef Keith Phillips (Botanica, Rustic Canyon) developed 20-odd tapas, along with plated versions of a variety of Siesta Co. conservas. “Keith developed thoughtful versions of some classic dishes,” Sperling says, “along with others that are totally creative and not rooted in any specific Spanish dish, but still reference Spanish cuisine in beautiful ways.”
On the more traditional side, there’s a tortilla espanola made with Weiser potatoes, served with an aioli made out of the oil used to confit the potatoes. Pan con tomate is made with Bub & Grandma’s focaccia, and gildas feature Siesta Co.’s anchovies, natch. A wintry chicory salad features shaved persimmons, heaps of Manchego, and a decidedly “Spanish in spirit” membrillo vinaigrette. More substantial options include pardina lentils cooked with a sweet-and-savory mix of chorizo, Cuyama apples, and cider, topped with grilled morcilla; oversized head-on shrimp anointed with sobrassada-infused butter; and a hearty lamb loin served with mojo verde. Don’t miss dessert, including a featherweight almond cake with quince and cream.


Come for the Spanish wines, stay for the sherry and vermouth
Beverage director Pierluc Dallaire oversees the all-Spanish wine list, which includes by the glass and bottle options from a list heavy on reds (try one of several Tempranillos), plus white, rose, and some interesting oranges, like the amphora-aged Cos a Cos “Fuddy Duddy.”
Beyond wine, there’s an impressive sherry list, with eight by the glass options covering a variety of styles and producers. Sperling is excited to help educate more people about this distinctly Spanish beverage: “It’s a beautiful, interesting drink to enjoy alongside Spanish food, especially tapas—they’re really meant to go together,” she says. A handful of vermouths, ciders, and beers round out the menu (all Spanish as well), along with sparkling and dessert wines.


The space is Mediterranean rustic-chic
While Alimento reveled in dark, metallic moods, Sperling, Flors, and Leiva wanted a warmer, earthier feel for Bar Siesta. They brought in husband-and-wife design team After Co. for the architecture and buildout, replacing the drop ceilings with a curved, raked stucco ceiling, and covering the existing bar with handcrafted glazed terra cotta tiles from the family-run workshop Ceràmica Ferrés in Girona, Spain. Spanish ceramics, art, and materials dot the 38-seat space, which is anchored by a rounded central table topped with a slab of Rojo Alicante marble. Flors, who travels back to Spain often, has been known to return bearing antique light fixtures and traditional Mallorcan ikat textiles. The overall effect is a space that’s infused with a warm Mediterranean sensibility and naturally welcoming feel.


Expect sidewalk seating, brunch, and more in the future
Right now, Bar Siesta is open from 3-10 p.m. Thursday through Monday (11 p.m. on weekends), with conservas available from 3-5 p.m. daily and the full tapas menu starting from 5 p.m. onwards. The team has plans to eventually add all day service and brunch on weekends, along with a retail component to offer Spanish wine and spirits, meats and cheeses, and other (presumably beautifully packaged) imported pantry essentials. And although there’s a small sheltered patio with 12 seats now, come summertime, Sperling promises, “We’re going to expand across the sidewalk, and it will all be open, so you’ll really want to just come hang out all day and pretend you’re on a European vacation.”