Mixue Ice Cream and Tea Debuts First Bay Area Outpost in Sunnyvale

Mixue Ice Cream and Tea just opened its first Bay Area location in Sunnyvale. The Chinese chain, which operates more than 53,000 stores worldwide and ranks as the planet’s largest fast food operation by unit count, chose a compact space inside the Shoppes at Homestead shopping center. Service began in late June, with grand opening celebrations running through this weekend.

The brand traces its roots to a single shaved ice stand founded in Zhengzhou in 1997. It grew through company-owned factories that control ingredient costs and a small-store format that keeps overhead low. Every item on the menu stays under five dollars, a notable contrast to typical Bay Area pricing for similar drinks and desserts.

Inside the Sunnyvale shop, a life-size Snow King statue anchors the space while walls display branded merchandise. Three touchscreen kiosks handle orders, and the chain’s signature jingle loops in the background. Staff focus on rapid preparation behind the counter, keeping lines moving even during peak times.

Soft serve options include vanilla at $1.59 and matcha at $1.99. Pearl milk tea and other drinks run around four dollars, with full control over sweetness and ice levels. Toppings such as boba pearls, taro balls, coconut jelly, or pudding cost just 49 cents each. The vanilla soft serve leans lighter and less sweet than many American versions, while the matcha delivers a clear grassy note.

You can visit Mixue at 1641 Hollenbeck Ave in Sunnyvale between the hours of 11am and 7pm, seven days a week. The shop is already very popular and has a four star rating on Yelp.

Source: SFGATE

Strata is the New Fine Dining Benchmark in Downtown San Jose

Rollati was one of my favorite restaurants in Downtown San Jose. It's flagship corner spot anchored the neighborhood, sitting under the MIRO towers across from the iconic San Jose City Hall (which our logo is based on). While I was sad to see it go, I immediately lit up when I found out the proprietors behind it's replacement are the geniuses behind Eos & Nyx, Alter Ego, Still OG, Paper Plane, and Miniboss. Needless to say expectations were very high for Strata, especially since they are taking a huge risk on the menu.

It's the first restaurant in San Jose to open with a Michelin-style fixed price tasting menu. Some like ADEGA have evolved into this type of experience, but Strata is all-in from day one. In the elegant dining room, that is the only option. Fortunately, it's one of the most affordable ones out there at $75 for 5 courses (with some optional supplements). You can also sit at the bar or lounge and order a-la-carte off a more casual menu. In the dining room you can add extra courses from the a-la-carte menu as well (which we did because we were really hungry).

The first course was a tuna tostada with salsa macha chorizo, avocado, and cilantro and an al pastor torta with pineapple salsa. They were both delicious and felt like an upscale nod to San Jose's street food scene.

Second was our favorite dish of the night. A rockfish crudo in one of the most unique plates I have ever seen. It featured white soy aquachile, serranos, cilantro, and crispy rice. You can also add caviar for an extra $25. I was told it was 1oz, but this is perhaps the one mistake they made on opening day because it was maybe 1/5 that at best. That sauce was so good that we spooned up ever last bit.

Third up was a ricotta stuffed tortellini (optional shaved truffle for $15) and chicken friend morrels (extra $15). The morrels which we somehow didn't get a picture of were amazing. One of the best mushrooms I have ever had. I should also mention that this restaurant group is know for amazing craft cocktails. I got a Bollywood Old Fashioned with chikoo, popcorn (?), and aromatic bitters. It did not disappoint.

The 4th course was the main. We had the rockfish and the chicken roulade. Both were amazing, I'd get either again. The meat and veggies were perfectly seasoned and every sauce really stood out. There was a 3rd option we didn't try which was a Prime NY steak with garlic chive for an extra $25. We also added the burger from the lounge which we gobbled up too fast to get a photo of--it was super tasty and guaranteed we'd leave stuffed since we skipped lunch.

Last but definitely not least were the desserts. There was a choice of a soft serve passionfruit ice cream with toasted coconut and brown butter crumble or a chocolate hazelnut semifreddo with candied hazelnut and cherries. We got once of each and enjoyed both but the chocolate hazelnut was the standout option. I couldn't leave without trying one more cocktail so I also got a "Tan Lines & Deadlines" for dessert. This was their take on an espresso martini with vodka, cold brew, coconut, turbinado, mole bitters, cinnamon, and salt. Easily one of the best dessert drinks I've had anywhere.

To wrap up, this is the new king of date night in San Jose and the benchmark for Downtown San Jose fine dining. Their menu will change every 6-8 weeks, focusing on fresh local ingredients that are in season. It's pricey but overall a good value for the quality of food, service, and ambiance you get. My tip would be to avoid the upcharges and instead add a 6th or 7th course from the bar/lounge menu to try as many different dishes as possible. I hope I'll get try out a few of the different menus this year. I'm very happy to see Strata Downtown and wish them much success.