Leo's River Oaks

"Located next door to the newly opened and revamped River Oaks Theatre, this new restaurant attempts to harness the extravagance and fierceness of the Leo zodiac sign. With a supper club vibe, Leo’s promises an upscale dining experience with luxurious seafood towers, crudo, premium caviar service, prime steaks, roasted whole fish, and lobster thermidor. The drinks menu doesn’t disappoint, with four varieties of Old Fashioneds, spiced pear mocktails, classic espresso martinis, and more." - Brittany Britto Garley

"Located next door to the newly opened and revamped River Oaks Theatre, this new restaurant attempts to harness the extravagance and fierceness of the Leo zodiac sign. With a supper club vibe, Leo’s promises an upscale dining experience with luxurious seafood towers, crudo, premium caviar service, prime steaks, roasted whole fish, and lobster thermidor. The drinks menu doesn’t disappoint, with four varieties of Old Fashioneds, spiced pear mocktails, classic espresso martinis, and more." - Brittany Britto Garley

"Add this new intimate River Oaks restaurant to your Roladex for when you’re looking to ramp up the romance. Seafood and steak are the name of the game here, so expect top-notch steaks, raw bar delights like shrimp and King Crab, and rich dishes like truffle agnolotti and Shepherd’s pie. Diners can also enjoy Leo’s standout cocktails, including its signature Old Fashioneds (there are four to choose from). Call ahead to reserve the booth seating, which envelopes diners in a cozy enclave decorated with gold, Lion-printed wall-paper — it’s the best seat in the house." - Brianna Griff, Brittany Britto Garley

"Leo’s fits right in with River Oaks. It’s expensive, there’s a serious dress code, and $20 drinks are standard. We can forgive these details with other spots because their food is worthwhile. However, this American restaurant feels more like a fancy disappointment than an exclusive hotspot. photo credit: Corey Watson photo credit: Corey Watson photo credit: Corey Watson Amid a sea of white tablecloths and wallpaper embossed with golden lions, we expect the food here to be at least half as lavish as the atmosphere. While the price tag fits the bill, the food quality feels out of place in an environment so fancy. Like the gelatinous scallop crudo and the overcooked lobster thermidor, which makes us feel like we’re being Punk’d. The sides are equally disappointing. The broccolini arrives beautiful but is severely undercooked. Halfway through the meal, it becomes clear that no overzealous celebrity will come running out from around the corner. All of this letdown happens while their pianist continues to plunk out songs from the out-of-tune piano. But if you’re in River Oaks, dressed up with no other plans, Leo's will give you an elegantly subdued experience with a lemon drop cocktail and a passable slice of carrot cake. Food Rundown photo credit: Gianni Greene Scallop Crudo Thanks to the lack of freshness, this dish is more like a mouth full of rubber than a light seafood dish. Avoid this at all costs. Broccolini While these veggies are a gorgeous shade of bright green, they involve a concerning amount of crunch that’ll make you wish the broccolini were cooked a bit longer. And considering there’s more oil on the vegetables than flavor, you aren’t missing much if you skip this. photo credit: Gianni Greene Lobster Thermidor There’s a generous amount of butter involved, but that isn’t enough to cover up the overwhelming burnt flavor of the lobster. If the extra-crispy crustacean isn't enough for you, there is a fennel and radish salad that’s fit for a peckish rabbit. photo credit: Gianni Greene Carrot Cake The carrot cake is just OK, automatically making it the best dish at Leo’s. It’s not an award-winning dessert, but if you desperately want something sweet and a palette cleanser from your meal, this is the one to order." - Gianni Greene

"Located next door to the River Oaks Theatre, Leo’s channels the energy of a New York supper club. Find a menu of decadent mains, featuring seafood dishes like lobster thermidor and steaks, including a 28-ounce porterhouse steak. The vegetarian dishes and small plates here also shine, with a rich truffle agnolotti, butternut squash risotto, bone marrow au gratin, and sides like potatoes dauphinoise. The cocktail menu is also a standout, with four Old Fashioneds to choose from, including a peanut butter-banana rendition inspired by Elvis Presley." - Marcy de Luna, Brittany Britto Garley