Hinodeya Ramen Bar coming to Downtown San Jose

Remember China Wok in Downtown San Jose on North Market Street? The space will soon be home to Hinodeya Ramen Bar. They have a location in Campbell today with exceptional reviews. Unless I'm missing something, this would be the first true Japanese ramen bar in Downtown San Jose. Unfortunately I couldn't find an ETA on their website.

In other restaurant news, the expanded Elyse will open at the end of next week, featuring delicious French Vietnamese cuisine and craft cocktails. More on that very soon.

Santana Row has a Speakeasy now!

Today I finally got to try Suspiro, the new Spanish & Peruvian restaurant at the end of Santana Row facing Meso. They just opened three weeks ago and have a few kinks to work out, but the ambiance was outstanding and the food was solid. My favorites were the Paella, Ceviche, and Lomo Saltado. However, this restaurant hides a secret...

In the very back past the unisex restrooms there is a black curtain that reveals a Ms. Pac-Man arcade cabinet. Behind the arcade is a locked door that takes you to S.Suspiro, a secret speakeasy! You can only get in with a reservation and have to be escorted by staff.

The Speakeasy has a completely separate food and drink menu from the restaurant, and even has it's own hidden patio on the other side of the building (last photo)! I don't have a lot of other info except for the house rules:

- No standing at the bar

- No flash

- No name dropping

- No smoking

- Please be patient, our drinks are labor intensive

- Please exit quietly

I can't wait to try it out. Previously, the closest thing Santana Row had to a secret bar was Cielo--a rooftop wine bar where you have to take two separate elevators up to reach in Hotel Valencia.

To make reservations for S.Suspiro and experience the first actual Speakeasy at Santana Row, click here.

Viva CalleSJ - April 21st

This week has been insane, so today I just have a quick teaser for an upcoming post. Viva CalleSJ is one of my absolute favorite San Jose events and it's back April 21st. It also happens to run through one of my favorite Downtown districts, SoFA. More on this next week!

Plans to convert medical office to housing near Santana Row

This is a relatively small project, but an interesting one due to it's location and density for the surrounding area. There is a proposal in play to demolish three single-story commercial buildings at 2881 Hemlock, 376 Baywood, and 384 Baywood and replace them with a six-story mixed-use building.

The structure would have 18,825 SQFT of commercial space on the ground floor (potentially commercial condos) and 75 "high-end" residential condos on the upper floors. The condos would be a mix of 1-3 bedroom units. There would also be 100 parking spaces in two underground parking levels.

In terms of location, it is a two-block walk to Santana Row and short walk to Valley Fair. This is a prime area for redevelopment.

Source: SVBJ

Two new housing projects between Downtown and Midtown San Jose

Two new housing projects are being built right at 363 Delmas Avenue and 425 Auzerais Avenue, which are on just on the other side of Highway 87 across from the Children's Discovery Museum. This is in sort of a gray area where Downtown starts crossing into Midtown.

The project on Delmas (first two images below) will have 120 residential units while Auzerais (last image) will have 64 homes for homeless and 66 units reserved for low-income housing. Amenities will include a fitness loop, community garden, and computer learning center.

Both projects are a few blocks away from Diridon and the proposed Google Campus.

Source: SF YIMBY

SJC is getting new flights from Spirit Airlines

Commercial aviation still hasn't fully recovered from the pandemic, but it's heading in the right direction at SJC. Spirit is the latest airline to add new flights from San Jose. They started service less than a year ago with service to Dallas, Las Vegas, and San Diego.

Starting June 5th, Spirit will add flights to LA (twice daily), Portland (once daily), and Baltimore (four times per week). 

LA is also serviced by Alaska, Delta, and Southwest while Portland is serviced by Alaska and Southwest. However, Baltimore will be an exclusive route at SJC for Spirit Airlines. The last time San Jose had a Baltimore route was in 2019 with Southwest.

It's always great to see new destinations, but even increased competition on existing routes will help keep prices low and options plentiful for San Jose travelers.

For some bonus good news, Spirit will add increased service to Las Vegas and San Diego in the summer.

Source: SVBJ

 

Free Solar Eclipse Glasses at San Jose libraries

The San Jose Public Library will be giving away free glasses today to use on Monday's solar eclipse. All you need to do is head down to a San Jose Public Library branch during regular library operating hours (typically noon to 5pm on Sundays). There is a limit of one pair per person.

The solar eclipse starts around 11:07am PT on Monday. For a list of recommended books about eclipses, check out the source link below.

Please remember that looking at the sun directly can cause severe eye damage and viewing it through any sort of lens like binoculars or a telescope can amplify that damage. 

Source: San Jose Public Library

PwC coming to Santana West

PwC has leased 141,000 SQFT of office space at One Santana West, right across the street from Santana Row. The decision was led by the modernity, efficiency, and amenities the office offered. PwC plans to occupy the space in early 2026.

That now makes 3.5 floors leased in the building, with 4.5 floors and 198,000 SQFT to go. Acrisure is the only other tenant in the building.

Source: SVBJ