Star Leaf

Star Leaf is a splashy Southeast Asian spot in Pasadena that's a decent backup dinner option if you’ve got tickets to Pasadena Playhouse. The large, clubhouse-esque restaurant is part of an international chain from Asia with 40 locations—and for the most part, the food tastes like what you’d expect from a chain. Nothing is bad, but most dishes tend to be on the safe side. That includes exceedingly mild coconut curries, roe-topped fried rice in need of a kick, and standard veggie rice paper rolls. The most successful items are the cocktails, including the gin and curry-tinted Transatlantic that tastes like tom kha. We’d happily stop in again for a little pre-show buzz in the gorgeous bar area.