San Jose: Peruvian-Spanish restaurant Suspiro brings paella to Santana Row

Plus pisco sours and other Latin-themed cocktails

The owners of two highly successful Santana Row restaurants now have a trifecta at the upscale San Jose center.

Their Latin fusion concept, Suspiro (the name translates to “sigh”), newly opened at The Plaza, joins El Jardin and Zazil nearby.

Entrepreneur Eduardo Rallo and the Buen Rallo restaurant group — who also own Colibri and Il Parco in San Francisco — brought on executive chef Yerika Muñoz Rodríguez for her expertise in Peruvian cuisine. Chef Oscar Santos-Pelegrin, a Barcelona native, brings the Spanish influences to that side of the menu.

Their inaugural lineup highlights fresh seafood and grilled meats for lunch/brunch and dinner. Two dozen tapas (ceviches, croquettes, empanadas) and Iberico ham-filled charcuterie plates dominate the midday menu. At dinnertime, Paella de Mariscos, Carne or Vegetariana) join that array, along with entrees such as Lomo Saltado, Pescado con Ratatouille and Pulpo Asado con Patatas.

Signature desserts include the Suspiro Limeño, a Peruvian meringue, and Torrija, a Spanish-style French toast. Peruvian pisco and Spanish spirits, sherry and wine rule at the dining room bar and in the restaurant’s speakeasy. A bottle locker membership allows patrons to store and enjoy their wines whenever they like.

In creating Suspiro’s interior, with its stone facades and lush greenery, designers Tirzah Ortiz and Design Opera took inspiration from Machu Picchu. The look of the restaurant’s speakeasy evokes the black and gold hues of Incan gold mines.

Details: Open from 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday-Thursday, until 11 p.m. Friday. Weekend hours are 10:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday and 10:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday. 3060 Olsen Drive, San Jose; https://suspirosj.com