Tasting our way through Eric Banh’s Vietnamese empire, we noted the following: Monsoon was superb, if a bit too upscale. Baguette Box was convenient but almost too speedy. And then there was Ba Bar.

The new 50-seat spot serves authentic South Asian street food (oxtail pho, mung bean dumplings) in the former Watertown Coffee space. Breakfast brings pork belly congee and Chinese-style donuts, but it’s the cocktail program that’s meant to entice late-night noodle slurpers. 

San Fran barman Daniel Jeffers is in charge of crafting syrups and libations meant to complement dishes like vermicelli with Draper Valley Farms chicken. Also available: 175 kinds of bourbon and a sampling of Asian beers.

Talk about just right.

Ba Bar, 550 12th Avenue (206-328-2030 or babarseattle.com). Follow @BaBarSeattle on Twitter.

Photo: Adriana Grant