Rollati Ristorante
Everyone’s Favorite Nonno
San Jose, CA
SERVICES
Concept Development
Verbal Identity
Visual Identity Design
Collateral Design
Public Relations
The Brief
Rollati’s is a love letter to Italian-American cuisine, embracing Italy’s many regions, as well as Italian-American kitchens across America.
Vine Hospitality is a multi-concept restaurant group based in Northern California. When their team began developing a new modern Italian restaurant in downtown San Jose, they engaged Carbonate to help create and launch the new concept. Our creative services team supported the concept development process and created the visual and verbal identity for Rollati. Next, our communications team took over and introduced the restaurant to the media, securing coverage both regionally and nationally.
Verbal & Visual Identity
Rollati Ristorante is an ode to Italian grandfathers—a place where family and food are what matter most, and everything is done with style. The branding evokes a warmth and sincerity inspired by vintage charm, with an added contemporary perspective. Custom type and supporting typography reflect nostalgic Italian signage, mixed with modern elements that match the lively and inviting tone of the restaurant’s interiors. The color palette combines deep hues of navy blue, dark green, and burgundy, with vibrant pops of mint green that balance the old-school vibe of an Italian nonno, and the light hearted nature of the concept. Playful patterns depict classic checkerboard motifs combined with pillowy ravioli. Rabbit illustrations round out the visual language, connecting lightly to the symbolism found in other Vine Hospitality restaurants.
Public Relations
Carbonate’s Brand Communications team managed the Public Relations launch for the new restaurant, building buzz ahead of the opening of Vine Hospitality’s first Italian-American concept. Carbonate secured a feature story in the San Francisco Chronicle—including stunning photography of the restaurant’s food and interiors—as well as a feature story on Vine’s growth in the San Francisco Business Times. This was followed by coverage in numerous local and national print, digital and broadcast outlets, including KTVU News, Eater SF, Wine Spectator and multiple stories in the San Jose Mercury News. The articles highlighted the story behind the restaurant's food, interiors, wine list and beverage program—driving interest, and generating considerable word-of-mouth for the new restaurant in the heart of downtown San Jose.
“Splashy Italian American restaurant opens this week in the Bay Area”
“This is the first Italian-focused restaurant from the Bay Area group responsible for several local favorites”
“A new 7,000-square-foot Italian restaurant from esteemed Bay Area group Vine Hospitality is opening across the street from San Jose city hall next month”
“First Look: San Jose’s Rollati restaurant, City Hall’s sleek new neighbor”
Photography: Leila Seppa