Newest Southeast Fine Dining Giant Makes US Debut

Star Leaf, a well-known Southeast Asian upscale restaurant, opened on April 5 in Pasadena’s Playhouse District. With 43 locations scattered throughout Asia, the brand is betting that its modern Thai, Singaporean, and Vietnamese specialties, Asian-inspired cocktails, and handpicked culinary team will help establish a presence in the U.S.

Founded in 2011 by restaurateur Ruth Lin, Star Leaf’s new Pasadena outlet boasts the chain’s most capable chefs for the opening. Max Wu is the former private chef to the prime minister of Singapore and the winner of the World Chef Championship, and Jeremy Chen is the winner of the Singapore Chef King competition. They serve as Star Leaf’s co-executive chefs. Lin also enlisted Hong Kong celebrity chef Dai Long, the inspiration for Stephen Chow’s God of Cookery, to oversee the project. In addition, chef Ryan Liu, originally from China and previously at Hakkasan Dubai, has also joined the team. Locally, the team enlisted native Angeleno and Filipino American chef Christopher Aquino, who previously helped open Erewhon Markets, to infuse Filipino and other Southeast Asian flavors with a Californian flair.

I’m honestly so shocked at the star power they brought over for this US debut. To read all the details, click here. I also made a little video showing. how everything looks so check it out here on Instagram. It’s a beautiful venue and food was great.

As usual, follow me on Instagram for the latest. I’m most active there. And let me know if you try Star Leaf and what you think!