In 2023, the MIRO building replaced the parking lot across the street from city hall. Rollati Ristorante moved into the ground floor. The interior design referenced mid-century modernism with a color scheme subtly inspired by il Tricolore, the three colors of the Italian flag. Rollati’s was a cheerful place to have a meal. The pasta and pizza dishes were reasonably priced comforting iterations of familiar favorites. The bar and lounge area was spacious and inviting. But diners didn’t embrace it. The restaurant closed late last summer, less than two years later.
Strāta, from the M.O. Hospitality collective, is opening in its place this month. M.O. operates several San Jose concepts including Paper Plane, Alter Ego and Eos & Nyx. To succeed where Rollati failed, the collective has mastered the art of social media presentation and messaging.
Everything looks great online, from the friendly party vibes to the colorful drinks and the photogenic dishes. IRL the food and drinks work in theory as conceptual concepts. At a recent media preview meal, every dish I ate left me underwhelmed. When I got home that night, I made a peanut butter and blackberry jam sandwich to cleanse my palate…