Starleaf

Came here for lunch with the family, we order five dishes in total we got the shrimp cake, the softshell crab, the fried rice, the pork collar, and the string beans. The food was delicious and we finished everything, our fav was the fried rice and the pork collar. We will def be back to try other things on the menu. The atmosphere and decor coordinates to the Thai theme and very relaxed and easy-going, great for lunch or dinner.

Higher end Thai fusion food that's solid. They have validated self-parking but it is only free for 1 hour. Service was pretty good Food/Drink- 4 stars The food was good, but nothing particularly superb salmon sashimi appetizer- 4.5/5. this was pretty good with a spicy kick. Good balance of flavors with tons of umami fried tofu appetizer- 4.5/5- good use of egg tofu that made the texture fantastic Thai sớm tum mango salad- 4/5- pretty good and standard 12 hour braised Angus short ribs- 4/5- pretty fatty and tender. It's pretty standard though Madame Lois pork collar- 4/5. it was a fun dish having it on lettuce wraps. Pretty standard flavors Lime steamed Chilean sea bass- 3.5/5. this was just ok. I would pass on it in the future Royal crown fried rice- 4/5. pretty good with the large amount of roe adding an extra texture to the fried rice. Truffle wok seared noodles- 4/5. Lots of flavor but a bit greasy The Pink Mekong- 4/5. Pretty good visuals. Pretty standard flavors Service- 5 stars The servers were pretty attentive throughout our meal Bottom Line It was an enjoyable experience with good food with elevated presentations. It just wasn't anything special (Flavor wise), from your local neighborhood Thai restaurant. The restaurant has a beautiful decor and cool atmosphere, and it's a cool spot if you're around the Old Town Pasadena area. However, I wouldn't go out of my way to go.

Star Leaf in Pasadena absolutely delivered. Food: We ordered a wide variety of dishes and were really impressed by both execution and balance across the menu. * Bakka Wild Salmon in Thai Vinaigrette (8 pcs) - Bright, clean, and incredibly refreshing. The flavors complement the salmon perfectly without overpowering it. 10/10, tied with the short ribs as my favorite dish of the night. * Night Market Shichimi Tofu - A fun and well-executed dish with a crispy exterior and a gooey, soft center. Great contrast in texture and an enjoyable bite from start to finish. * Thai Royal Curry with Soft-Shell Crab - Rich, comforting, and full of depth. The curry was flavorful with just the right amount of warmth, and the soft-shell crab held up nicely. A solid dish overall. * Madame Noi's Pork Collar - I can see why this is a best seller. While it was still very good, it ended up being my least favorite dish of the night simply because everything else stood out more. I wouldn't order it again, but it's still worth trying. * Crispy Short Rib with Lime - An absolute 10/10 and the star of the show. Perfectly cooked, deeply flavorful, and incredibly satisfying. I would come back time and time again just for this dish and the salmon alone. Service: Service was excellent from start to finish. Jojo greeted us with genuine enthusiasm, got us seated right away, and immediately made us feel welcome. Once she found out it was our first time, she was eager to answer questions and help guide us through the menu. Our server, Deja, was equally awesome -- attentive, quick, and extremely informative. Her recommendations were spot on and truly elevated the entire dining experience. Ambiance: The space is beautiful and well thought out, with a warm, elevated vibe that still feels comfortable and inviting. It's a great setting for a relaxed date night or a special dinner without feeling overly formal.

How much can a place impress you before you decide this is the standard it should be? Star Leaf is a Thai restaurant that popped onto the scene in Pasadena just a year ago and from its introduction to Southern California it has seen a slew of satisfied diners. Though I'm usually not a fan of high priced Thai food it didn't take long for the place to win me over. Let me tell you why Star Leaf is worth your appetite. Design - Modern Meets Palace With a large fire, stone elephants, and a water display just at the entrance of this restaurant you get a feeling of grandeur before even entering the building. Once inside, you start to see the styling is a mixture of old world with modern touches. The tables for two have large analog lamps floating above them. The booths have black leather and rich wood materials. The kitchen is open for all to see. The interior is dark enough to create intimate dining within each party, but bright enough to see what is going on on the dining room floor. Their menu also needs to be highlighted because not only do they have a menu listing their food in texts, but also a large photo book showcasing each dish visually. If we eat with our eyes then this menu is a trailer for great things to come. An extensive drink menu also arrives and Star Leaf is a restaurant where drinks should be tried. I highly recommend their mango sticky rice cocktail, with or without alcohol. It was a highlight and one I'll remember for a long time. Food - Grand Ideas with Mostly Delivered Results We went through an extensive amount of food and instead of detailing each of them let me give you the highlights and lowlights. Highlights - The grilled lamb chops were phenomenal. Grilled perfectly with barely any pink, the meat was so tender you could pull the meat off the bone without resistance. The minted chimichurri sauce next to it is exquisite and worth diving a forkful of lamb each and every time. A balance of fresh, sweet, and savory this amazing sauce could make anything taste better. Paired with a perfectly grilled lamb and you have one of the best bites you'll ever taste. The Thai Royal Curry with shrimp was amazing. Large, plump, meaty shrimp bigger than your spoon fills this savory and flavorful curry. Paired with a crusty outside, pillowy inside bread and you have a dish truly making you feel like royalty. The Bakka Wild Salmon in Thai vinaigrette is an amazing starter. The sweetness of the sauce reminds me of a semi-sweet aji sauce with a slight kick at the end to let you know you're alive. It was just the right amount of taste to tease your appetite and start you off right for your dinner. Finally, I would be remise if I didn't bring up my favorite drink, the mango sticky rice cocktail. This drink is made of fresh mango, condensed milk, pandan infused oat, and coconut milk. It feels like drinking a creamy version of the dish and it is well received after taking in so much spice from the mains. An oasis for the taste buds and one you'll be dreaming about long after the meal is finished. Lowlights - The Crying Tiger salad really doesn't feel worth the money. Essentially a spring mix with a vinaigrette and a protein of your choice the salad isn't terrible, but compared to everything else on the menu this isn't worth any of your appetite or money. The desserts are all sweet and will fulfill that desire at the end of your meal, but compared to everything else it feels a bit flat. Often too sweet or just okay, the best item might be a scoop of their pandan ice cream. Conclusion A well thought out menu with warm staff, well designed interior, and an energy that's exciting for those involved, Star Leaf is a restaurant unlike others and worth the try. Though by no means will the bill be under $100 for two people, the quality of the experience will be worth every dollar. Perfect for dates and special occasions, Star Leaf is a must try Thai restaurant in Pasadena.

Star Leaf is a beautiful spot in Pasadena with a modern, stylish vibe. The staff was attentive and friendly, and I really appreciated the attention to detail when they explained the different dishes and ingredients throughout the meal. The food here is excellent. My favorite dish was the Chilean sea bass — perfectly cooked, soft and tender, with a sauce that tied everything together. I also really enjoyed the curry soft-shell crab; the curry sauce was flavorful and rich without being too heavy. For drinks, the Thai tea with coconut ice cream was a standout — sweet, refreshing, and something I’d definitely order again. Overall, Star Leaf delivered on both quality and atmosphere. Between the beautiful interior, thoughtful service, and delicious food, I’d recommend it to anyone looking for a great dining experience in Pasadena.