Star Leaf, an award winning restaurant group founded in 2011 by visionary and restauranteur Ruth Lin, brought together an expert team of executive chefs curated by Michelin-starred chef Chen Shijie and the illustrious Ng Hoi Fung, winner of both the World Chxef Championship and the Hong Kong Global Knife Master Championship.

With a legacy of over 43 stores across Asia, each meticulously designed, Star Leaf has just opened the first US-location in the beloved Playhouse Village of Pasadena, marking the inaugural establishment in the United States. Star Leaf Group creates a fine dining experience, with tableside dining options that combines ingredients and spices that will teleport guests across the Pacific to a tropical paradise. I was able to photograph Star Leaf’s incredible design, food, and chef process, as well as run marketing initiatives for the Pasadena location. Star Leaf has been featured on Forbes, LA Times, Eater LA, Dine La, and other local and national publications.

Star Leaf’s exterior features a regal, dramatic gold accent design, complete with an elephant cast and flaming pit. The restaurant is framed with Thai style banana palm leaf plants and a spacious outdoor patio space. The restaurant was formerly Roy’s King’s Hawaiian and was completely renovated to seat 230 guests in an 8,000 square-foot location. The $3.8 million renovation featured an expert design team that brought together Star Leaf’s vision of honoring the art deco vibe of Pasadena with elements from Southeast Asian and European design style.

In the evenings, the restaurant’s lights and livelihood can be seen from the streets as guests enjoy their dining experience.

Star Leaf is situated on the corner right across from Blaze Pizza and down the street from the renowned Pasadena Playhouse.

The outdoor patio features an elegant tiled coi fish pond. Indoors, there is a beautiful wine cellar on full display, gold goblet fixtures, and the lighting is intentionally dim, yet illuminated enough to create a cozy ambiance.

Star Leaf’s interior features a large main dining room, upscale bar area, and open window kitchen, perfect for hosting large parties and special events.

Their team of chefs created a variety of asian sauces in house, with guests raving about the asian salsa verde, mango chili sauce, and more.

A unique aspect of Star Leaf is that the menu features several tableside dining experiences including the Tom Yum Soup, which is accompanied with a story and cooked right in front of guest (after the soup base is simmered for 6 hours). The Pink Mekong is displayed in a golden goblet with ice cream and high quality ingredients such as seasonal fruits (often dragonfruit), lotus seeds, red beans, and peach gum. Dry ice is then placed in middle of the goblet and pink coconut milk poured in to create a creamy, textural dessert.

A full spread of one of the top-selling menu items - Madame Noi’s Pork Collar.

Star Leaf features many unique and flavorful curries - both Thai and Malay style curries.

The indoor bar is probably one of the funnest areas to hangout I’ve seen at a restaurant. It has an upscale feel, an ample selection of unique Asian-inspired cocktails, such as the smoke infused Kamata Club Blues, and a full TV display.

Chef team hard at work fulfilling orders - pictured here are the Siam Beach Club Egg Rolls - a crispy shrimp appetizer.

A bright display of flowers lining the pathway to the entrance during the soft opening. Flowers were sent as gifts from nearby businesses as well wishes and congratulations.

Father’s Day and Mother’s Day promotional drinks!

A fun night hosting the first ever Yelp Elite Black & Gold Event for 50 guests for an exclusive tableside dining experience and cocktail demonstration. Star Leaf is the newest upscale Southeast Asian dining experience on the LA scene.

Star Leaf is open 7 days a week and located on Colorado Blvd in Pasadena.