We recently visited Strata for a double date night and decided to reserve spots for the Chef's Tasting Menu. Since the restaurant has only been open for a few months, we weren't quite sure what to expect, but we left thoroughly impressed.
We made reservations ahead of time and specifically requested the tasting menu. When we arrived, the restaurant wasn't very busy, but our table wasn't quite ready yet. We didn't mind at all and took the opportunity to grab a couple of cocktails at the bar.
The cocktails were an incredible start to the evening.
Peas and Thank You -- made with cilantro spirit, cashew orgeat, snap peas, lemon, and egg white. It was fresh, herbaceous, creamy, and unlike anything we've had before. It sounds unusual on paper, but somehow everything worked beautifully together.
Sunstone -- mezcal, tomato water gin, nectarine aperitif, lime, and agave. This one had a subtle smokiness balanced by bright citrus and just the right amount of sweetness. Another standout.
By the time we finished our drinks, our table was ready. From there, the service continued to shine. The staff was warm, knowledgeable, attentive, and did a wonderful job pacing each course without making us feel rushed.
The tasting menu itself was thoughtfully curated. While the menu isn't large by design, every course felt intentional, and by the end of the meal we were surprisingly full.
The evening began with an Octopus Tostada and an Al Pastor Torta, beautifully presented almost like a plate of savory petit fours. Both packed incredible flavor into just a few bites and set the tone for the rest of the meal.
Our second course was a Crudo with white soy aguachile, chili oil, serrano, shallots, cilantro, and crispy rice. It was bright, refreshing, and incredibly balanced. The acidity and freshness really allowed the fish to shine while the crispy rice added a satisfying crunch.
For the third course, we had the choice between Brodo and Chicken Fried Morels. Since there were four of us, we ordered both so everyone could try each dish. That ended up being one of the best decisions of the night. Both were completely different in style, yet equally delicious. The brodo was comforting and deeply flavorful, while the chicken fried morels offered a wonderful contrast with their crispy texture and rich, earthy flavor.
For the entrée, we again split our selections between the Rockfish, Chicken Roulade, and Prime New York Strip.
Each entrée was beautifully executed and refined, but the Chicken Roulade was the unanimous favorite at our table. It was incredibly tender, perfectly cooked, and packed with flavor. The rockfish was delicate and well-balanced, while the Prime NY was cooked beautifully, making it difficult to go wrong with any of the choices.
Dessert offered a choice between Soft Serve and Chocolate Hazelnut. Both were enjoyable and provided a nice ending to the meal, though they weren't quite as memorable as the savory courses that came before them.
Overall, we were genuinely impressed with what Strata is doing. The tasting menu felt thoughtfully composed, the ingredients were high quality, the service was polished without feeling formal, and every course showcased careful attention to detail.
If I had one small critique, it would simply be that I wished dessert ended the meal on the same high note as the earlier courses. It was good--but after such an impressive progression, we were hoping for one final "wow" moment.
Even so, the tasting menu was absolutely worth the price, and we left feeling like we received excellent value for the experience.
Next time, we'd love to come back and explore the à la carte menu to see what else the kitchen has to offer. Strata is off to an incredibly strong start, and it's exciting to have a restaurant like this in the area. read more