This was my first time coming here, and I think it's a great place for a family meal. The restaurant is clean, elegant and nicely decorated. The food tastes delicious, and there are many choices for everyone. We really enjoyed the main dishes, especially Madame Noi's Pork Collar, Lime Steamed Chilean Sea Bass, and Royal Crown Fried Rice. The Royal Crown Fried Rice is definitely a must order dish! The Mango Sticky Rice was also a great dessert. The staff were friendly. We had a relaxing and happy time here with our family. I think this is a great choice for a holiday meal, family gathering, or casual dinner. They also have long tables for large parties. read more

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Star Leaf is a high end restaurant located at the Trio Apartments in Pasadena. They specialize in Southeast Asian fusion foods such as signature dishes royal curry and gourmet fried rice. They also offer happy hour and great cocktails. Private dining rooms are available. My dear friend and I came here for lunch in celebration of her 42nd work anniversary. Restaurant exterior has a big elephant statue in front of it... great photo op! Inside space had dark wood appeal to it... very clean and well kept. Upon entry, we were greeted and seated right away. It was still early so not too busy at the time. Staff was friendly and cordial. Service was decent. Lunch special menu had limited items. Their prices start from $19 and up. Just one tiny gripe, portions were small for the price. My friend ordered the Crispy Duck Salad. It came with crispy tempura-battered duck, fresh mixed sprouts and grapefruit, pine nuts and tahini topped with drizzles of blended hoisin sauce, chu hou sauce, and plum sauce. Greens were great, but duck was a tad salty for my taste. I got the Truffle Wok Seared Noodles with Scallops (lunch portion). It was recommended by our server, Cameron. Thank you for the delicious recommend! Dish came with a small bowl of intensely sour, spicy, salty, and aromatic Tom Yum soup... very good! Overall dish was amazing served with tasty wok-flavor handmade egg noodles and perfectly cooked scallops complemented with yummy mushrooms, brussels sprout leaves, and Thai basil all tossed in a dark black truffle sauce. YUM! I slurped up the noodles in a jiffy. Unfortunately, it only came with 3 medium sized scallops. I would get this again if it came with 3 more scallops and more noodles. Overall dining experience was pleasant, cozy, and delicious. Thanks Star Leaf! read more

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I came here with my partner, family, and friends to celebrate a big life event on Saturday. We had such a great time and everything was so organized. The restaurant was modern and clean and my friends said they liked how everything was set up. Since it was a big party, the food was a set course menu. We shared everything family style and the food was amazing. I loved the soft-shell crab curry, but everything was amazing. The dessert was this ice cream on dry ice with a presentation. The staff was so sweet during this time and super attentive. I had such a wonderful time celebrating this event. At the end, they even gave us cute tote bags that we will use for groceries. Definitely book with them! read more

The dishes at Star Leaf are meant to be shared. Unfortunately my sister and I weren't feeling each other's choices, so I (quite happily) ate this absolute mountain of rice by myself. Now it's just shrimp fried rice, sure. And it's pretty spendy at $32. But when I say mountain, I mean mountain, with a literal knuckle layer of roe. This rice lasted me three meals. So, worth it. That's all I can really comment on in terms of food. Drinks: Good Service: Great Ambience: Fine, lighting is a bit intense. read more

Star Leaf - Asian Fusion Near Me - Pasadena, California

Star Leaf, in Pasadena, is a wonderful Thai restaurant that has a unique and attractive menu. The fact that they were participating in Dine LA was a trigger, to make another visit there for lunch. I tried to invoke the dinner menu, but they were not willing. Not a problem, the lunch menu was equally enticing. A 2-course offering for $25. I started with the Thai Prawn Ceviche. This course was wonderfully balanced, not too acidic, also a nice touch of sweetness and plump flavorful prawns. For the main, my selection was the Beef Truffle Wok-Seared Noodles. I was delighted that they were round noodles and they arrived at my table stirred in a dark sauce with sliced beef pieces on top. A small porcelain decanter was also supplied, containing the truffle oil. I poured it over my noodles. The beef was tender, moist and could be cut with the usual provided table knife. The whole dish was a winner, from start to finish. Service here, as expected, was well executed. Need to be aware of the parking though. There is a public garage around the corner that is advertised for this establishment and a few others. Problem is, that Star Leaf validates only for 1-hour, while their neighbors do so, for 2-hours. I addressed this issue with the manager at my last visit and this time too. The answer I got was not convincing to suggest that they care, or will do something about it, anytime soon. Oh well. read more

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Friends usually come here for the amazing cocktails! Happy Hours Mon-Fri 3PM-6PM | Sat-Sun 3PM-5PM | Sun-Thu 8PM-9PM (Served at the bar only/not a booth seating by the bar). Free street parking around after 8pm on weekday!!! Friends mentioned this place is also good for this fried rice, and soup...but #1 for their cocktails. Bar Bites: * Edamame (salted) - $6 * Chicken Satay - 3 pcs (coconut milk, crushed peanuts, shrimp paste, curry powder, fish sauce) - $9 is nice to have protein in a dish. * Shrimp Cake - 3 pcs (pork, shrimp, chestnut, kaffir, panko, caramelized pineapple, garlic chili dip) - $12 was probably the 1 dish I could recommend to order again? Unsure how I feel about $12 though haha * Club Wings - 5 pcs (shrimp paste, asian salsa verde) - $9 was extra crispy and a bit dry. * Short Rib Tacos - 2 pcs (12-hour braised angus short rib, thai mint salad) - $6 was spicy. Flour tortilla was fluffy soft kind. It's hefty snack in comparison to rest of the items here. * Tropical Mango Sea Bass (crispy Chilean sea bass, green papaya salad) - $12 was overly greasy battered for me. * Thai Prawn Ceviche - 4 pcs (black tiger prawns, onions, tomatoes, cilantro, mint, Thai chili fish sauce) - $9 was out that day? * Bakka Salmon in Thai Vinaigrette - 4 pcs (sashimi, Asian salsa verde, chili lime, mint & garlic) - $12 was fun. Good for anyone craving this. The bar bites is supposedly all dairy-free. We ordered the whole bar menu of bites. We didn't get the prawn ceviche though....think they were out? None of the bar bites stood out that much. They were all as expected for bar food. Cocktails Everyone enjoyed their cocktail. They were out of allagash white beer. Mocktails were decent. We visited just for cocktails but discovered happy hour so tried the whole happy hour menu of bites. The lycee in the martini is super strong/infused soaker alcohol. We accidentally visited during Dine LA timing and it's packed!!! Understaffed but mixologist made the best out of it. Friends mentioned this place is pretty dead or open seating during non-dine LA times. Overall fun place to hangout and catch up with friends over a cocktail. The bar is better for party of 1-2 though. The edge bar seating could be good for max 4ppl. read more

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Pasadena, CA - Delicious Asian fusion food. Love the ambiance and the seats were comfy! Everything we order tasted delicious. Prices were a little on the high side but it's a great dining experience. I loved their fried rice, the string beans and the dessert. I would go back if I were in the area again! read more

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Star Leaf, located in the center of Pasadena, offers an amazing dining experience. Every visit is made to delight your senses, with delicious Thai, Vietnamese, and Malaysian-inspired meals, handcrafted beverages, and beautiful surroundings. Whether you're planning a romantic date night, celebrating a special occasion, or getting together with friends and family, Star Leaf provides great cuisine, kind hospitality, and a beautiful dining environment that will make every meal memorable. Looking for great Southeast Asian cuisine in Pasadena? Star Leaf is a terrific spot to eat fresh and excellent food in a lovely, cozy setting. If you're in Pasadena, stop by for a great dining experience! read more

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The good: We had the ten secret spice chicken curry served with baguette. It reminded me a lot of Vietnamese curry that my family makes because it's yellow, made with potatoes and served with baguette. I also had a pink pandan lemonade, fried sea bass and salad appetizer (recommended by our waiter), and the truffle noodle dish. I liked the heat in the appetizer and the crunch on the sea bass. The interior is beautiful and spacious. It's great for special events or fancier occasions. They have a private parking lot on the side that validates but I also found metered street parking right out front. They took online reservations. We were able to sit and chat there for a long time without being pressured to leave or without feeling rushed. The bad: The pink lemonade tasted like concentrate or syrup and had no pandan flavor. For $12, it was too sweet and too artificial tasting. The curry lacked heat and punch. It was like a blander more mild version of Vietnamese curry. It was a bit on the dry side. The fried batter on sea bass hid the yummy sea bass flavor and the side salad was on the salty side. The interesting: They have multiple locations. read more

Star Leaf - Pandan lemonade - Asian Fusion Near Me - Pasadena, California

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COVID-19: Social distancing is not enforced at this establishment. Some of the staff wears a mask. All customers are not expected to wear a mask. It's optional now. The staff also wears gloves when handling food. There are some hand sanitizers available for customers to use. This place is available for take outs and has some indoor & outdoor seating available with limited capacity. They are not sanitizing in between customers. I mention these things in my reviews for the sake of protecting immunocompromised people like the elderly and people sick with cancer and other illnesses. COVID-19 Vaccination Proof: This establishment currently does not require proof of vaccination. While I was eating my food in this establishment several months ago, I asked if they had any special offers and they were offering some at the moment. They currently do have happy hour. They also do not allow pets in their establishment UNLESS it's a service animal. Parking: The parking lot for this establishment is located behind the restaurant at a local medical building parking lot. It's $1 each 9 minutes with a max of $13. Or you can try to find street parking and walk on over. Food: I ordered a Lychee Martini, Saigon Summer, Mamasan's Shrimp Cake Skewers, Truffle Wok Seared Noodles with Scallop, Slow-Drip Vietnamese Coffee Flan, and Banyan Tree Ice Cream. Before I started ordering, I was immediately given some house made complimentary shrimp chips. I loved how light and airy it was. It also had an amazing crunch. It tasted just like shrimps hahaha. My lychee martini was a crisp, refreshing cocktail that perfectly balances floral sweetness with tart acidity. Order this! The Saigon summer is a spicy, tropical blend of tequila, lime leaf liqueur, agave, butterfly pea infused triplum, and a Thai chili infusion. Not really up my alley, but I'm glad I was able to try it out. I think I dislike anything spicy and super bitter in my drinks. It just tasted odd. Mamasan's shrimp cake skewers features crispy, deep-fried shrimp cakes flavored with kaffir lime and lemongrass. It is served with skewers, charred pineapple, and a sweet garlic chili dip. Definitely get this. It was so crunchy, massive, and mouthwatering. The charred pineapple provided a sour yet sweet taste that helped off set the savory seafood / fishy taste in your mouth. The truffle wok seared noodles with scallop is a dish that combines savory, smoky flavor with luxurious truffle and tender scallops, which bridges the gap between classic Asian stir-fry and Italian comfort food. As a massive sucker for Italian food and all things truffle, this dish was my favorite. The al dente handmade egg noodles were wok-tossed in a rich black truffle sauce with delicious mushrooms, fresh Brussels sprout leaves, and perfectly seared scallops. I loved that I could taste the black truffles. The truffles added a nice rich, earthy, and highly savory flavor with prominent notes roasted nuts. GET THIS DISH!!!!! The slow-drip Vietnamese coffee flan is a silky, rich egg custard infused with bold phin-drip coffee and sweetened condensed milk. It offers a perfect balance of bitter roasted coffee and sweet creamy custard. This dish was super smooth, creamy, and delicious. I loved that Star Leaf added their own twist to this dish by putting a caramel golden cage on top of this already phenomenal tasting dessert. The caramel golden cage gave this flan a nice crunch. This dish wasn't too sweet for me. As a hater of super sweet things, this flan was just right. The banyan tree ice cream was a great way to end the meal. Super refreshing! I got two scoops of Thai tea ice cream and one scoop of the coconut ice cream. Both flavors were fantastic and tasted very creamy. Not too sweet, which is how I like it. Staff: The staff here are very attentive, friendly, welcoming, and polite. Elysha waited on me when I went. She was very attentive, informative, and personable. They accept both cash and credit cards. There is no credit card minimum. read more

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I found this restaurant a couple years ago and I am so glad I revisited it recently. I love the royal curry with the soft shell crab and the papaya salad. The richness of the curry is perfectly balanced by the freshness of the papaya salad. I also tried the prawn ceviche which was great along side the papaya salad, but after almost accidentally being served the short ribs I wish I had ordered that. The ambiance is so chic and classy. Over all service was warm and attentive, but our cocktails did take a long time to come out. They were gorgeous cocktails though. My favorite was The Sauce with the most adorable ice rose. read more

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Came here excited to try Thai food in Pasadena and the flavors did not disappoint, but if you're gluten free, know before you go -- the GF options were surprisingly limited for an Asian restaurant, which was a letdown since that mattered to our party. That said, what we could eat was good. The Tom Yum soup was well-balanced -- hot, sour, and packed with flavor without being one-note. The tropical mango sea bass was the standout of the meal: while fried, perfectly cooked fish with a sweet-savory sauce that wasn't overly sugary. The papaya salad was fresh and had a nice kick to it. Service was attentive and the space itself is pleasant. I'd come back, but I'd call ahead first to confirm what's actually safe to order if you're avoiding gluten -- don't assume the menu will have you covered. 3.5 stars, rounding down for the limited GF options. read more

Star Leaf has a great ambiance romantic, modern, and perfect for a night out. It has great service. The Thai-inspired dishes are absolutely delicious! The menu has something for everyone. The crispy short rib is one of my favorite dishes on the menu and the pad kra pao wraps are to die for too. They are my go to every time and bold to say, they're probably my favorite Thai lettuce wraps ever and I've had a lot. Their cocktails are a must order and if you like fruity cocktails then you will be blown away by the selection. If you're after a trendy, upscale spot for a special occasion, it's worth checking out! There's parking in the garage and they valet. Always a great option. read more

Star Leaf - Asian Fusion Near Me - Pasadena, California

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An upscale Thai restaurant with delicious food and great ambience. Ordered the shrimp thai royal curry, the shrimp is lightly fried and holds the curry well when eaten with rice. The vegan krapow wraps were yummy and a nice appetizer to share. Shrimp pad thai was okay but did not stand out. Service is good and attentive. Would skip on the strawberry pandan lemonade and strawberry oat matcha latte, both were below average. read more

Star Leaf - Asian Fusion Near Me - Pasadena, California

My family and I came here for a birthday dinner, and honestly, it was just okay. This was our first time dining here, and after hearing so many great things, I think our expectations were pretty high. Unfortunately, it didn't really live up to the hype for us. We ordered many dishes, including the Siam Beach Club Egg Rolls, Night Market Shichimi Tofu, Shrimp Pad Thai, Malay Captain's Chicken Curry, Banana Leaf Chicken, Madame Noi's Pork Collar, Royal Crown Fried Rice, Bakka Wild Salmon, and the S.E. Asian Rib-eye. The best dish of the night was definitely the Bakka Wild Salmon. The salmon itself was good, but the sauce was phenomenal and easily my favorite thing we tried. The curry was also decent, and I appreciated that it came with bread, although I thought it was too heavily drenched in oil. Having visited Thailand several times, that's not something I've personally experienced with curry before, so it felt a bit out of place. The biggest disappointment was the Royal Crown Fried Rice. It lacked flavor almost entirely and tasted very plain. For a dish at this price point, I expected much more seasoning and depth of flavor. Several people at our table felt the same way. The S.E. Asian Rib-eye was another letdown. We ordered it medium rare, but it wasn't nearly as tender as I expected. It was quite fatty, and there wasn't much actual meat compared to the amount of fat. For the price, it simply wasn't worth it. The Banana Leaf Chicken was okay but on the drier side. The Madame Noi's Pork Collar and Siam Beach Club Egg Rolls were decent, but neither stood out as something I'd specifically come back for. The Pad Thai was also fine, but I've definitely had better elsewhere. The tofu tasted good, but the portion felt small for the price. What surprised me most was that it wasn't just my opinion. We had a party of six, and pretty much everyone agreed that many of the dishes lacked flavor, especially considering the restaurant's reputation and pricing. The restaurant itself is beautiful, comfortable, and has a nice atmosphere. That said, it felt a little warm inside during our visit, and the music was louder than I expected and didn't really match the overall vibe. The service was okay. Overall, I'm glad we tried it, but for the price, I expected a lot more. The food wasn't terrible by any means, but it wasn't impressive enough for us to want to come back. Sadly, this will probably be a one time visit for our family. read more

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I don't know, guys...I just don't get the hype. We came in on father's day for lunch, hoping to have an upscale Thai meal, and we left feeling like the only upscale thing was the price. The good: their crispy mango sea bass - this hit the texture notes and the sweet, sour, salty combo. We also thought their half chicken was okay. We could've stopped here, but unfortunately we didn't and it was mostly downhill from there. The mixed bag: their softshell crab royal curry was fine, but I found it to be too sweet and oily after a few bites. The braised mushrooms ($18!!) lacked seasoning - tasted like unsalted boiled mushroom instead of carrying the umami complexity of a braise. The WTF: what is up with their tom yum? The immediate taste memory that came to mind is the Whole Foods hot bar minestrone. I'm not kidding. How does that happen? It was like a limey tomato seafood soup, not like a tangy, creamy tom yum at ALL. Their vegetable curry also had a tomato-saucelike taste to it. You could've told me both were (bad) Italian fusion dishes and I would've believed you. Service was painfully slow from beginning to end, despite it not being too packed and what looked like a manager walking around. The ambiance was fine, but the vibes were definitely off. The mocktails we got were good. Would not come back. read more

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Ambience - 4/5 Family came here for Father's Day. The ambience was nice and comfortable, and had a nice atmosphere. The restaurant was also clean, which made the experience enjoyable. Service 4/5 Our waitress was very friendly and attentive. However, the overall service did seem a bit slow today. Food -12-Hour Braised Angus Short Rib - 9.5/10 Unfortunately, by the time the braised short rib came out, everyone else at the table had already finished eating and were ready to leave. I ended up taking most of it to go after only a few bites, which was disappointing considering how long the dish took to come out. The server had already brought out the bill before my food arrived, but later went to check with the kitchen. She spoke with the manager, and he saw the delay and kindly removed our drinks from the bill, which was much appreciated. Despite the long wait, the short rib itself was amazing. The meat was very tender and practically fell apart. The flavors also melted in your mouth. I would definitely order this again next time if I knew the wait wouldn't be so long. - Grilled Lamb Chops - 7/10 The lamb was tender and cooked well, but the cauliflower puree was just okay, and I felt like the dish would have been better without it. - Royal Iced Thai Milk Tea - 8/10 The thai tea wasnt as sweet as I expected but it still had a nice flavor. The ice cream that was added made it feel more like a dessert drink. Although it was good, I probably wouldn't order it again. - Tom Yum Soup - 8/10 Very flavorful and mild in terms of the spice. I think its a good starter for a cold evening. - Egg Rolls - 9/10 The egg rolls had a thin and crispy wrapper that provided had a very satisfying crunch. The shrimp filling inside was good, and reminded me of something I've tried before. - Prime Rib - 6/10 The prime rib was decent, but nothing particularly stood out. The side salad that came with it didn't pair very well with it, especially since it was very spicy. Overall, while there were some delays with the service, the resturanr staff and manager handled the situation pretty well. The manager was very friendly and apologetic, and removed our drinks from the bill, and even gave us a complimentary card for a free appetizer for our next visit. The service was greatly, and I'd like to return in the future to try some other things on the menu! read more

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I love the food at this place. It has an upscale and spacious ambience. The short ribs with lime were crispy and tender. The branzino had a unique sauce. The fried rice was pretty. The dessert was impressive. All the food is presented very pretty. They now have a lunch special so it is more affordable. I had a lovely meal with my parents who enjoyed all the dishes. read more

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And to think - my husband and I were going to cancel our reservation because of a food influencer that could not have been more wrong about their assessment of this restaurant! The food was tasty and not overly salty as previously mentioned by others. The portions were generous, more than enough for a party of four. The service was excellent! Thank you to Conner and his team that served us during our meal. The price is affordable! We've been to other places that have charged more for less. A good option for large groups, they have plenty of space! My main goal for this review is to encourage giving this place a try for anyone that is on the fence! I know when we were reading/watching reviews, it was mixed but we gave this place a try anyways and we enjoyed it! Hopefully folks are pleasantly surprised! read more

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Let's all agree that we need more high scale fine dining Thai restaurants in LA. With that, we went here for lunch today for the first time and we had a great experience. The host/server Cameron was very nice and friendly. He welcomed us with a smile and quickly acknowledged the birthday reservation and wished happy birthday. He gave us nice recommendations and we tried their shrimp curry and the truffle noodles with scallops. Both were amazing, nice generous portions and rich flavors. Lunch menu came with soup or salad. We got one of each. Soup was very tasty as well, but spicy. He also gave us complementary birthday dessert - the Vietnamese coffee flan -which was creamy and super delicious. We loved everything about this place and will be back to try their very extensive and interesting menu. read more

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My wife and I came here for DineLA and were pretty underwhelmed. But the real kicker was when we ordered the Mango Sticky Rice (which wasn't even on the Dine LA menu, this was something we paid EXTRA for)- And THIS (see attached photo) is what got handed to us. Honestly, we thought we were being Punk'd by Ja Rule. We got the Fyre Island of all Mango Sticky Rices. I'm not sure what's more insulting - the six random-ass pieces of mango or the random, toddler sprinklings of sesame seeds. Also, the Rice was rock hard. If it hadn't been for our Waiter overhearing me and my wife going "what in the actual F..." and Comp'ing us the dessert himself - this would have been completely irredeemable. All that to say - I was SHOCKED multiple people thought it was OK to serve this on a plate, walk this out from the kitchen, and set this on someone's table. Reminder - this was during DINE LA week, when you should be showing off your BEST. And instead, we received the WORST. And again...the Mango Sticky Rice was NOT even part of Dine LA. read more

While I wanted to love my experience at Star Leaf in Pasadena, the beautiful setting and tasty dishes were ultimately overshadowed by a highly disorganized service and kitchen staff. The evening started with a 15-minute delay in being seated for our reservation. In a busy restaurant, this is totally understandable, but things unfortunately grew worse once we sat down. We had to constantly flag down staff just to ask for basic water refills, and our empty plates were left sitting on the table long after we had finished eating. The biggest disappointment was the complete breakdown in kitchen pacing. My wife's appetizer and main entrée arrived first. Meanwhile, my main entrée didn't arrive until after she had finished, and my appetizer didn't even show up until after we had both finished both of our main courses. To top off the strange timeline, my wife's cocktail didn't arrive until the entire meal was completely over. Eating a dinner at completely separate times defeats the purpose of dining out together. It's a shame because the food had some postivie with tasty flavors: The Good: -The shrimp curry was delicious and featured a decent amount of crunchy, good-sized shrimp. The Curry sauce was a fusion taste between Vietnamese and Thai curry. -The Madame Noi's pork collar was also very tasty and had a great spring roll feel to it, though it functions much more as an appetizer than a true entrée. The Mediocre: -The mango sticky rice was just okay, mostly because it was missing that signature creamy, sweet coconut sauce; the sesame seeds were left on the side instead on top of the rice. -The shrimp ceviche was also fairly unmemorable and nothing to write home about. If you go to Star Leaf, come for the fusion flavors, but be prepared for potentially massive and frustrating service delays. read more

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A classy, and unique dining experience in the heart of Pasadena, Star Leaf is the perfect spot for date night in the 626! We came for Dine LA and got a gorgeous 45$ three-course menu complete with a half-size appetizer, a full entree, and 2 desserts. The pork collar was absolutely divine, although the beef truffle noodles were somewhat underwhelming. Service was a bit on the slower side for a restaurant of its size. The restaurant itself was also very aesthetically pleasing. Overall though, glad we experienced it and I definitely did enjoy it! read more

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Saw this restaurant on several social Media websites so we decided to give it a try. We went there on a Saturday afternoon, around 4ish, before the dinner crowd. Got in right away without any wait. The menu was very interesting. Dishes are the best varieties from Southeast Asia flavors. We ordered the yellow chicken curry with choices or breads or rice and salted egg crispy shrimp. The shrimp dish came with about 8-9 shrimp and that was it. So veggie or rice or anything comes with it. The yellow chicken curry was meh. Nothing too excited about. For the price that you pay for each dish, it's not worth the money. The place is decorated tastefully and very relaxing atmosphere. They have a good size patio dining area as well. read more

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Star Leaf came across my Resy search and ended up being a spot I try for my birthday. I went on a Saturday at around 2:00 pm as a walk-in. I was able to find metered parking on the street; not sure why but I didn't need to pay that day! Upon arriving, we were fortunate that there was no wait time and got seated right away. Their menu was quite extensive so we took some time to browse before we ordered. They had a main menu and also a special menu. We pointed out some allergies to the staff and he helped us work around it. The orders came out quickly and he checked in on us frequently to see if we were okay. Great service! Bakka Wild Salmon - This salmon had a lot of things going on for it, in a good way! The combination of flavors felt very refreshing, especially on a hot day. The lime and basil played a big part there. Crispy Short Rib with Lime - Even initially before coming here, this was the dish that caught our attention. I will admit the portion size was a bit smaller than I expected and was even skeptical when it came out. However, without a doubt, this was the highlight of the visit. As someone that loves savory foods, this really hit the spot. The burst of flavors settles in right away. Truffle Wok Seared Noodles - We wanted to pick this noodle dish as a balance to the protein dishes. It did its job but it tasted okay. Not something that stood out. Slow-Drip Vietnam Coffee Flan - I liked the caramel that was layered on the flan, it was crunchy and added a nice texture. It was a nice presentation but tasted okay. Thai Tea - This was my personal drink. It was a standard Thai tea but came with ice cream on top. It was not too sweet but didn't stand out compared to other items. Strawberry Pandan Lemonade - This was my girlfriend's drink. I had a small sip here but found it was refreshing and not too sweet. However, I didn't really get any pandan flavor, mainly strawberry. When it all comes together, it was a good experience. The interior of the story is more dimly lit and felt like a romantic night dinner, despite being the middle of the day. The dishes had a balance of standard and hidden gems. Everything was more than sufficient for two people to share. Service was great and very attentive. Will come back for the Crispy Short Ribs! American Express is accepted here. read more

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We came as a party of 6 for DineLA. We made reservations and were seated in a timely manner but our server took a while just to even greet us. We were seated near the bar and saw our drinks sitting on the counter for quite some time, just waiting to be served. We asked our server Jordan about splitting the bill ahead of ordering in which he told us we were able to split it 4-way so we proceeded to order. Our food took a while to come, aside from the Bakka Salmon, the fact that the food (EVERYTHING from apps to entrees to desserts) doesn't all come at the same time irked me because half our party was eating and half were still waiting. Jordan asked if we wanted bread refills for our curry dish and when we said yes, he never came back with them! We were celebrating a birthday and Jordan was awesome in comping our mango sticky rice (+1 for that) However, when we got the bill, Jordan could not get his shit together. He put 5x DineLA (basically all food) on one bill and 1x DineLA on another with all the drinks on it when we asked to split by couple (there were 3 couples in our party). Why he couldn't do this from the beginning was beyond me. He could have just given us a pen and paper and we could've just broke it down for him but no, he tried to figure it out himself. 20% tip was INSANE for the mid service we got. Mandatory should have been 18%. The food was okay for the DineLA price but would I call this a Thai restaurant? No, probably not. Where were the classic noodle dishes like pad see ewe or pad kee mao? Just because you slap mango sticky rice and some tom yum soup on a menu does NOT make you a Thai restaurant. The truffle noodles tasted like a glorified Chinese chow mein dish. I debated coming back to try their royal crown fried rice but heavily doubting I will ever come back. read more

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I have been to this restaurant before when it was Roy's Hawaiian restaurant. I am glad Star Leaf has kept that tropical vibe inside. A friend and I met here for happy hour prior to a performance at Pasadena Playhouse. It couldn't be more perfect since it is 1 to 2 blocks away and you only have to park once. You also do not have to rush. They have happy hour until 6 PM and another one at 8 PM. The options for drinks and food, as well as the prices are very appealing, but the quality and taste really make it. The food is more of a Thai fusion with strong Thai flavors. The bar bites are meant to be small, but we ordered about four items that completely filled us up as dinner. Standouts for me, worthy tiger, prawn, ceviche, and the crispy Seabass with mangoes, mango sauce, and papaya salad. All the food has a kick, but it is not overly spicy. When I walked into the bar, I saw some house made bitters and fresh ingredients everywhere so I knew the drinks would be awesome. The Peacock margarita has passionfruit and a touch of Mezcal in it. The lychee margarita is not too sweet and so well balanced. Our mixologist, Sebastian was delightful and provided incredible service. I could go back for all these reasons and definitely will do so read more

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I've been wanting to try this place for a while because the restaurant aesthetic looked pretty nice, but unfortunately I left a little disappointed. The service was good but they do not check on you often. We found ourselves waiting for quite a bit for our orders to be taken and to receive our food. Although infrequent, the servers are very nice and accommodating. As for the food, the only dish that was a hit was the truffle wok-seared noodles. We were expecting this dish to come with mushrooms (as stated in the menu) but when it didn't our server helped correct this issue right away! Unfortunately, the duck in the crispy duck salad was extremely salty and there wasn't very much dressing in the salad to begin with so it didn't meet my tastes, but if you like light dressing then it should be all good! Finally (and unfortunately I forgot to take a picture), we also got the lime steamed chilean sea bass. This was the most disappointing dish; the lime and jalapeño spice completely overpowered any buttery notes inherently in chilean sea bass and the fish itself was a bit tough. I wasn't expecting the lime to be the main star of the dish, but maybe that was intended. read more

Star Leaf - Crispy Duck Salad - Asian Fusion Near Me - Pasadena, California

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My family and I have been here multiple times and have enjoyed ourselves every time. The Pork Collar was our favorite - the mix of flavors was honestly so good! All of the dishes were solid from the fried rice (which was much larger than expected), to the seasonable veggies. The ambiance is great - we saw larger groups celebrating birthdays and folks on dates. I do think they need to staff more waiters. We saw one waiter handling all the orders with support from a bus boy. She was pretty busy and handling the tables well, but didn't have much time to check in on us, refill waters, etc. Tip: there is validated 1 hour parking at 44 Madison read more

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This place has easily become one of my favorite Thai restaurants in the area. Whether it's celebrating a birthday or just going out for a date night, this place does not disappoint. Definitely recommend trying their 12 hour Braised Angus Short Ribs, the Golden Salted Egg Yolk Prawns, and the Spicy Thai Som Tum Mango Salad. SO DELICIOUS! Staff are always very friendly and personable! read more

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This Thai restaurant has a really unique atmosphere--it feels more like a large American steakhouse than a typical Thai restaurant. The spacious dining room and decor give it a different vibe from what you'd usually expect, making it a fun place for groups or a casual dinner. The food was a mix of hits and misses. The crispy ribs had a great crunch but were a little too chewy for my taste. The orange chicken was just okay; the coating was quite hard, and there wasn't much chicken inside. The fresh spring rolls were definitely one of the highlights--light, fresh, and nicely prepared. The salads were decent but nothing particularly memorable. The service was excellent from start to finish. The staff was friendly, attentive, and made sure everything was taken care of throughout the meal. While not every dish stood out, the unique atmosphere and great service made for an enjoyable dining experience. read more

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Yall better treat your staff well- The only reason why I'm leaving a positive review is for Connor. The happy hour menu online is outdated, the new hh menu is significantly smaller. We ordered their SINGAPOREAN WINGS(5PCS) and when it arrived, we only got three pieces. I asked them to cross verify the menu and with the kitchen. They're claiming since the wings were bigger than usual, they only gave me 3... We went back and forth and the kitchen still stood their ground. You can't advertise 5 wings and give me 3. Buy smaller wings if you're cheap. Connor made it right by asking them to make the additional wings we were promised at the end of our meal. The apps were tasty- their royal fried rice is nothing special. I'd come back for happy hour in Connor's section but nothing else. read more

Star Leaf - happy hour menu - Asian Fusion Near Me - Pasadena, California

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This place is by far one of the best places to eat in Pasadena. We were lucky to be seated in the Athena section again. She also remembered the table. She always gives the best selections for the table. She is beyond kind, and as I said before, always asks to sit in her section. She is a true joy at the table. We, of course, ordered all the same favorites in the photos and were able to try the desserts too. The ambiance is very fun and uplifting. I will be back again soon. So glad this location is thriving and here for everyone to try. read more

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Great vibes and ambiance. We came during Happy Hour from 3 pm- 6 pm and got the chance to try most of the dishes. We sat at the bar for Happy Hour and the bartenders customer service was fantastic. Very chill and we were loving the decorations. The food was delicious and did not disappoint. We ordered the Singaporean Chicken wings, 2 short rib tacos, Shrimp Ceviche, Shrimp cakes and Crispy Chilean Sea Bass. I loved all the dishes my 2 faves were the Crispy Chilean Sea Bass and Short Rib Tacos, they both come with really good dips on the side. I will say they often change their Happy Hour items. We will come back again soon! Can't wait to try the other dishes. read more

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The service was great, super nice and clean inside. The restrooms were clean and fancy looking - I would approve to go #2 there. However, the flushing isn't the greatest. It seemed really weak. The royal fried rice is too much and I couldn't enjoy it. Good flavor but too many fish balls. It was popping in my mouth in every bite. Would not get it again. The 12hr short ribs were tender. Good flavor and enough for 2 people. read more

Star Leaf - Royal Crown Fried Rice - Asian Fusion Near Me - Pasadena, California

Came here last night for a birthday + anniversary dinner. We ordered: Thai som tum mango salad - delicious! I think at a traditional Thai restaurant this would be on the light spicy side so if you're used to having this be spicier, I'd ask. But the ingredients are fresh and it's a well prepared dish. Saigon summer rice paper rolls - good for vegetarians and a nice, light way to start the meal Bakka salmon - the sashimi + mint + garlic trio was lovely and made every bite so bright. My family was practically drinking the sauce. Golden salted egg yolk prawns - my biggest disappointment. If you like salted egg yolk chips, you'll probably love these. I assumed it would crispier, but it wasn't. Spicy string beans - wasn't spicy at all, but still very enjoyed by the table. Thai royal curry with lobster - came with baguette slices to soak up the sauce. The red lobster tail is for show as the meat is right next to the shell. Someone in our group isn't a huge fan of seafood, but he actually ended up eating some lobster because he found the texture to be perfect and the curry to be a great compliment. Again my family was basically drinking the curry by the end. Steamed Chilean sea bass - wasn't super popular at our table. Despite the plate being hot, the fish felt almost a little chilled? Tropical panna cotta - great for a light dessert Coffee flan - best way to end a meal here. It is a sweet dessert, but coffee flavor hells balance it out. Strawberry pandan lemonade - didn't taste any pandan. Was very sweet. My family loves spicy food so we had to ask for extra hot sauce on the side. Our server was amazing and got us chili oil using Thai chilies and house made Sriracha to help turn up the heat on some of the dishes. The menu is extensive so there's something for everyone. Decor was beautiful as well and it's a spacious restaurant. The price point is a little high, but it's fancy restaurant so I get it. For a table of 5 and 2 mocktails it came out to be roughly $50 per person without any left overs (we were hungry that night!). Lots of groups celebrating birthdays so I'd say this place is good for a small splurge. read more

Star Leaf - Lime Steamed Chilean Sea Bass Thai Royal Lobster Curry - Asian Fusion Near Me - Pasadena, California

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While I haven't taken a trip to Southeast Asia yet, my taste buds certainly felt transported there after dining at Star Leaf, located in the Pasadena Playhouse District. The restaurant is beautifully designed, with notable colonial-inspired elements and a modern, upscale yet approachable vibe. The service is just as welcoming and consistently attentive. We ordered the following dishes: - Tiger Prawn Ceviche (4.5/5): I loved the punchy, bold flavors of the Thai chili fish sauce paired with the succulent, meaty shrimp. It would've been a 5/5 had it been served with something crunchy on the side, such as prawn chips, to balance the texture and acidic flavors of the shrimp and onions. - Thai Royal Curry (3/5): I thought I'd like this dish more, but despite the promising menu description, the flavors didn't stand out. We ordered it with the soft-shell crab, and for its price ($28), the portion felt underwhelming. There were barely any vegetables in this as well. - Royal Crown Fried Rice (4/5): Not your average seafood fried rice. The fish roe on top added a pleasant pop with each bite, and the shrimp and scallops were generously portioned. A solid dish that's great for sharing. - Madame Noi's Pork Collar (4/5): The pork was incredibly tender, and the basil-garlic dipping sauce with the papaya salad packed a perfect flavor bomb. However, I wished they used a softer lettuce, such as butter or romaine, to wrap with instead of the iceberg variety. Also, don't sleep on the cocktails here. Star Leaf has one of the most interesting cocktail programs in Pasadena, thanks to its tropical, Southeast Asian-inspired flavors. We ordered the Tropical Aperol Spritz and the Peacock Margarita, both of which were as refreshing as they were photogenic. read more

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