The 15 Hottest New Restaurants in Los Angeles, July 2024

"Southeast Asian chain Star Leaf has opened a colonial-inspired restaurant at the former Roy’s in Pasadena. The menu is mostly Thai but occasionally Vietnamese, with cocktails inspired by the grand hotels of Singapore and other former European colonies scattered across southern Asia. So far, the cooking seems to resonate with well-heeled Pasadena diners looking for an upscale dinner chock-full of aggressive Thai flavors and luxe ingredients. Consider the lobster-topped royal curry and the roe-topped fried rice with glazed pork collar as a lead-up appetizer. — Matthew Kang, lead editor" - Eater Staff