Leo's Oyster Bar

"Leo’s looks like a ’50s Hollywood bar that decided to do tropical theme night with checkerboard tiles, wicker stools, and wild plant wallpaper. We love coming here for dates, birthdays, and pretty much any other time we want to feel more famous than we are in real life. Making your way through the cocktails and oysters is a good way to start a night here, but if you’re more hungry we like the mushroom linguini (it’s big enough to split between three people) and the $30 lobster roll." - will kamensky

"Leo’s Oyster Bar has time-traveled to us from the fanciest days of the 1980s. We’re not talking scary, Donatella Versace’s Miami mansion, ’80s here. Leo’s is channeling the decade of excess in the best - and not overly excessive - way possible. And overall, we’re in on the seafood and swank that Leo’s has to offer, especially if we are using someone else’s money. The space - with high-ceilings and mirrors and assorted hanging ferns - feels glamorous, not tacky. Imagine you’re a high-powered 1980s yuppie, and that’s basically how you use Leo’s: if you have clients you actually enjoy spending time with and they’re interested in meals not involving steakhouses, this is your place. The crowd is on the dressier side, and a vibe of potentially not being from San Francisco. photo credit: Krescent Carasso But the food is better than what you’ll get at your average client dinner. The cocktails are excellent, and the small plates (especially the crudos) are delicious and shareable. We’re less taken with the entrees, and portions in general are small - you need to get more than you think to fill yourself up. If you can walk out for less than $100 per person for a full meal and drinks, you have a smaller stomach than we do. It’s clear by how crowded the place is every night that the Financial District was in need of a place that doesn’t solely serve pre-made salads of sadness and closes at 4pm. If you’re in the neighborhood and need to grab a drink and a snack, Leo’s is absolutely worth a visit. As much as we love the classy yacht vibes and crudos, we don’t have an Uncle Scrooge pool of coins to dive into, so it’s probably not going into our regular rotation. Food Rundown Oysters Super fresh and high quality. The raw classics are some of the best around, and the specialty combo with tomato and horseradish also rules. Too pricey for an oyster eating contest, but very good for seeing how much money you can spend on shellfish. Deviled Eggs with Fried Oysters What makes deviled eggs better? A fried oyster on top. These are good, but we didn’t need to tell you that. Rock Shrimp Toast Just ok. The shrimp is fine, but there’s not quite enough and the alleged bacon doesn’t make much of an appearance. The buttery toast is a strong base. Hamachi Crudo Hot damn this is good. The fish is incredibly fresh, there’s a nice kick from the scallions and the charred avocado is a revelation. Get after it. House Made Tater Tot This dish is four little nuggets of deep-fried mashed potato cubes topped with a horseradish-y salt cod situation. Very tasty bites. Lobster Roll and Fries The bun is great - perfectly buttered and toasted - the lobster is good, the fries are excellent. However, there is not enough lobster (is there ever?) and paying $32 for this is a bit ridiculous. They do you the favor of cutting it in half if you’re splitting it, which just makes it look small." - Taylor Abrams

"You discovered an accounting flaw that’s been costing the company millions, and while the CEO didn’t invite you to his beach house, he has asked you to lunch to discuss your future. The choice of where is yours, and you want to pick somewhere you’d never normally go to, but that’s not totally insane. Leo’s Oyster Bar is the move. Order some raw things, and get to know your boss on a more personal level. The oysters will go quick, but if all is going well, get a lobster roll, too. If that’s the case, you’re definitely on the fast track to success. At least you and Mr. Lomax think so." - will kamensky

"Leo’s Oyster Bar reminds us that eating oysters can be fun and luxurious. Their floral wallpaper, bamboo chairs, and hanging paper lanterns make this seafood spot one of the most photogenic places in the Financial District. The raw bar, which includes the two-tier tower of oysters, is the reason to come here. While eating oysters (and admiring the wallpaper) will keep you busy, they also have some great deviled eggs crowned with a fried oyster. " - julia chen 1, ricky rodriguez

"Leo’s Oyster Bar is a great place in the Financial District to head to after work, for a third date, and times when you want to feel cute surrounded by floral wallpaper, bamboo chairs, and hanging paper lanterns lamps. Coming here also reminds us how much fun and luxurious eating oysters can be. The mostly raw bar and snacks menu includes a two-tier tower of oysters, shrimp cocktails, and snow crab claws, and we love their version of deviled eggs with fried oysters on top. If you’re in the mood for something a little more substantial, the lobster roll is great." - Lani Conway, Julia Chen 1, Ricky Rodriguez