Starfish ~ Laguna Beach, California

Starfish has a second location in Newport Beach as noted on the logo.

Lady Music and I decided to spend some time in Orange County. We ended up hiking a beautiful nature trail in Laguna Nigel and wanted to enjoy a nice meal at the beach. As Lady Music does, she found this great little spot! It faces the beach, but across Pacific Coast Highway. If you opt for outside seating, you’ll be able to see the water. We decided to take in the a/c inside. It was just the right amount of darkness, nice and cozy... and casual, but still very nice. The staff were all super friendly and up beat.

We started with an appetizer: BBQ pork buns - soy, ginger, pulled pork, pickled red onion, cucumber, cilantro. This appetizer came with 3 well filled bao/buns. Made of the same steamed dough used with cha shu bao but shaped like a thick tortilla. We loved them! The pork was tender, not too fatty and had a nice amount of sauce. The sauce was similar to traditional bbq pork in cha shu bao, but slightly sweeter. I think some chili oil or pik nam plah would remedy that quite nicely!

We did our customary ritual by splitting two entrees, and a side to boot: Chilean sea bass in green curry with coconut rice and garlic green beans. And halibut cooked in a banana leaf with Thai herbs, macadamia nuts, habanero sauce with basil and homemade corn tortillas for making fish tacos accompanied with garlic roasted green beans and coconut rice. The side was green curry over vegetables. green beans, broccoli, snow peas, bok choy, carrots in creamy green curry on coconut rice.

The fish was cooked just right, the flavors were delish although you know Mr. Music would like the heat kicked up a notch or three! The coconut rice was yummy and the handmade corn tortillas a nice touch.

We opted for dessert when our waiter told us about the unique items they had. We had to try the completely from scratch cheese cake in a cup! It has a very crunchy graham cracker crumble with cinnamon on the bottom. The filling was thick, creamy, TART and just slightly sweet. Incredible! The tartness is exactly what we love in a good cheesecake, which seems to be fading from recipes these days! So this was a real treat!

The prices were very reasonable, especially for that part of OC. Though the drinks were not a bargain. So skip the iced tea and coffee. Stick with water. You'll save $16!

We will definitely be back!

---Mr. Music review

6/6/24 (new entry)