Leo Rising
Soft Pretzels and Belgian Beer in West Town

You’re no stranger to the delicacies of Belgium:

Beer, mussels, Audrey Hepburn.

We know a good place to find two of the three: introducing Leopold, a new spot for you to keep in mind when it’s late, you’re in West Town, and you’d do anything for a quick infusion of oysters and beer brewed by monks.

So when you walk in, you’ll face large hanging stained-glass windows that the owners salvaged from the basement of the space. Things take a more secular turn after that—there’s a small lounge in front, a cozy couch near the bar in case you’re bringing a date. And in case you bring a dozen, there’s a dark and intimate semiprivate dining room in the way back.

There will eventually be 30 to 40 beers available (they hope to have the liquor license this weekend). But you’ll find plenty of beer in the food. The oysters are doused in a lambic mignonette sauce, your salad has Belgian-beer cheese croquettes, and your mussels come swimming in a Tripel Karmeliet with bacon and leeks and a side of crispy frites.

And for when you absolutely need that Belgian brew and soft pretzel hookup before you head out for the evening, they’ll be serving until midnight on weekends.

Soft pretzels are the new Four Loko.