Restaurant
Unclaimed profileLeo's Seafood Restaurant & Bar
Grand Rapids, MI · $$
Inebrious
Beverage Program Score
The editorial take
Leo's Seafood Restaurant & Bar runs a serious beverage program alongside its seafood. The cocktail list shows real range, from the milk-clarified Cast Away to the banana-infused Banana-Vardier, and happy hour brings cocktails down to $8. The wine list spans California and Italy, while the spirits shelf reaches from Woodford Reserve to Don Julio 1942. Non-alcoholic options get equal attention with spirit-free takes on a Negroni and a Margarita.
- What should I order?
- Start with the As Yuzu Wish, a gin-based cocktail with yuzu, Suze, and a soda float. For bourbon drinkers, the Kentucky Calling balances Buffalo Trace with ginger, cucumber, and honey. If you prefer something clarified, the Cast Away mixes two rums with mango and coconut.
- Who will enjoy this place?
- Cocktail enthusiasts will appreciate the original recipes and premium ingredients. Bourbon and tequila collectors can explore the extensive spirits list, while non-drinkers have creative non-alcoholic options. Happy hour seekers can grab $8 cocktails or $5 drafts in the bar.
- What should I expect to spend?
- Cocktails are $8 during happy hour; regular menu prices are not listed. Wine by the glass is also $8 during happy hour. Expect premium pricing for top-shelf spirits.
- What makes the beverage program distinctive?
- The cocktail program is notably ambitious, featuring ingredients like yuzu puree, Nixta corn, and milk clarification. The spirits list includes high-end bottles like High West Midwinter Night's Dram and Macallan 12, and the bar matches the dining room's full beverage menu.
Beverage categories
We only score what a venue sets out to do. Categories a venue doesn't attempt are left unscored rather than penalized.
Cocktails
The cocktail menu shows real range, with creative builds like the yuzu-forward As Yuzu Wish and the clarified Cast Away. Happy hour brings $8 cocktails to the bar, and guests have praised the quality, calling out a margarita and a yuzu drink as refreshing.
Menu strengths
- — Extensive menu of original cocktails using ingredients like yuzu puree, Nixta corn, and banana-infused bourbon.
- — Happy hour specials at $8 per cocktail in the bar and lounge.
- — Customer reviews describe the cocktails as masterpieces, singling out a margarita and a yuzu drink.
Standout selections
- — As Yuzu Wish: Roku gin infused with yuzu peach green tea, Suze, yuzu puree, apricot, and a yuzu soda float.
- — Banana-Vardier: Banana-infused 1792 bourbon with Campari, Carpano Antica, and spiced cherry-chocolate bitters.
- — Cast Away: Milk-clarified mix of Bumbu and toasted coconut rums with mango and sea salt spritz.
Pricing: Happy hour offers $8 cocktails; regular menu prices not listed.
Wine
The wine list is extensive, covering Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Pinot Noir from California, Italy, and beyond. Happy hour offers $8 glasses, and the Rose Sangria has pleased at least one guest.
Menu strengths
- — Wide-ranging list with multiple varietals and regions.; Happy hour special on wine by the glass.
- — The bar and lounge pour the same extensive wine list as the dining room.
Standout selections
- — Duckhorn 'Decoy' Sauvignon Blanc from Sonoma.; Santa Margherita Pinot Grigio from Italy.
- — Proverb Cabernet Sauvignon from California.; Rose Sangria with rosé, moscato, brandy, and raspberry vodka.
Pricing: Happy hour offers $8 wine by the glass; other prices not listed.
Beer
Beer selection spans local craft and Belgian classics, with Michigan favorites like Bell's Two Hearted and Founders Breakfast Stout. Happy hour drops drafts to $5, making it an easy choice for a casual pour.
Menu strengths
- — Diverse list including local Michigan craft breweries.; Happy hour draft special at $5.
- — The bar and lounge feature the same local craft beers as the dining room.
Standout selections
- — Bell's Two Hearted IPA.; Founders Breakfast Stout.; Old Nation M-43 New England IPA.
Pricing: Happy hour offers $5 draft beer; other prices not listed.
Nonalcoholic
The non-alcoholic program is notably thorough, with spirit-free takes on Negronis and mezcal margaritas, plus a lineup of non-alcoholic beers. Options like the Faux-Groni and Agave Maria show real effort for designated drivers.
Menu strengths
- — Dedicated menu of creative non-alcoholic cocktails using spirit-free spirits.
- — Includes non-alcoholic beer options from Brewdog, Heineken, and Athletic Brewing.
- — Recipes mirror cocktail complexity, such as the Faux-Groni with gentian root.
Standout selections
- — Faux-Groni with Cleanco spirit-free gin and Lyre's Italian Orange.
- — Agave Maria with Almave spirit-free mezcal, grapefruit, and jalapeño.
- — Golden Glow with Lyre's Amaretti and Lucano Amaro Zero.
Pricing: Pricing not listed.
Spirits
The spirits list is extensive, spanning bourbon, rye, scotch, tequila, rum, and vodka, with premium selections like Angel's Envy and Don Julio 1942. It's a strong back bar for neat pours or high-end cocktails.
Menu strengths
- — Broad category coverage from bourbon to mezcal.; Includes high-end bottles like High West Midwinter Night's Dram and Macallan 12.
- — Premium tequila and mezcal options such as Don Julio 1942 and Ilegal.
Standout selections
- — Woodford Reserve bourbon.; Angel's Envy bourbon finished in port barrels.
- — High West Midwinter Night's Dram rye blend.; Don Julio 1942 Añejo tequila.
Pricing: Pricing not listed.
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