How Mad Men Inspired the Design of Leo’s Oyster Bar

Get the insiders' scoop on the vintage-inspired and exotically-decked San Francisco restaurant!


Chances are, you’ve seen the signature wallpaper that sets the backdrop of San Francisco hotspot Leo’s Oyster Bar. The vintage 1950’s Hawaiiana take on the classic palm print inspires a dreamy escape complete with hand-waxed mahogany paneling, mother-of -pearl chandeliers, and a salmon onyx cocktail bar. The mid-century-sleek space features a touch of the exotic, as evident in the Moroccan tiles and whimsical floral patterns, thoughtfully dispersed throughout the restaurant. 

Designed by Ken Fulk alum Jon de la Cruz, the chic 40-seat restaurant manages to pack in major style into a relatively small space. “It’s the kind of place you can sneak in for a late lunch and indulge in a drink, and by the time you leave, you realize it’s suddenly dark outside”, says de la Cruz. 

We caught up with designer Ken Fulk and Anna Weinberg, managing partner and creative concepter at Big Night Restaurant Group, to get the inside scoop on designing Leo’s Oyster Bar. (Oh, and we snagged a recipe or two as well!)