STARFISH OPENS IN SOUTH LAGUNA

By Sheryll Alexander

Starfish, which is a new restaurant by Tabu Grill proprietor Nancy Wilhelm, is officially opening the second week in June (call for exact opening date).

Situated directly across from The Montage Resort in the Aliso Creek Shopping Center right on PCH, Starfish features lunch and dinner daily, a takeout menu and a late night bar scene on Friday and Saturday evenings.

The menu has been created around what Wilhelm calls Amer-Asian cuisine. Using Asian ingredients and preparations from Thailand, Vietnam, China, Korea and India, dishes at Starfish are American renditions of classic dishes from these Asian cultures such as summer rolls, pho, udon and soba noodles, Bhutanese rice, wok sauté and sweet-and-sour ribs.

Ready to relax? The horseshoe-shaped Starfish bar prepares refreshing libations flavored with hibiscus, gogi blossoms, lemongrass and passion fruit in mojitos, martinis, sakes, sangrias. Artisan beers and boutique wines are also available.

Wilhelm loves lush seaside décor, so she has enlivened this space with soft turquoise-colored tufted banquettes along with contrasting sunset colors of orange, pink and purple. Asian art deco antiques and objects d’art please the eye.

For more information, visit www.starfishlaguna.com or follow Starfish on Facebook (www.facebook.com/starfishlaguna) and Twitter (www.twitter.com/starfishlaguna).

Starfish, Aliso Creek Shopping Center, 30832 S. Pacific Coast Hwy., Laguna Beach, 949-715-9200.

Sheryll Alexander runs a news media agency based in Costa Mesa, California.