by Len Okin on The stout on tap was bomb. The vibe was cool / unique. The shrimp n/ grits was done up nicely. The aligator toes were spicy / tasty. I'd check it out again.
by Weldon Suydan on I like any place where I can dine while being entertained. Coda is in a slightly sketchy location right at Mission and S. Van Ness. Not where you'd expect to find a fairly upscale restaurant or a fun jazz club. The menu was creative and the food was great for a supperclub although I wouldn't call it destination worthy if you're not planning to stay for the show. The show starts at 10 so book in advance to get a 9PM table you can keep for the show...these tables are limited as most tables are cleared away at show time to make room for dancing which isn't made clear in their advertising. It was empty at 8 but getting pretty full by 9. Alas I was with a date who didn't want to wait around for the music so this is just a restaurant review. I definitely want to go back for a show to get the full experience since the crowd was shaping up nicely. It's a nice vibe...friendly, casual and more intimate/way less pretentious than Yoshi's.
by Cport J. on I am still convinced that the DJ on Friday nights just hits play on his playlist and only stands up there to pretend that he is doing something, but I still end up at this place on Friday nights. I just can't get over the fact that this place exists at all. It's like walking into a real life sociology study into what would happen if you would open a bad MIT frat party to anyone living or lurking in or around Central Square in Cambridge -- and have the shocking gall to charge a cover for the experience. On Fridays (and I think Saturdays as well), the music veers wildly from good to not bad to real bad (but usually funny), as if the DJ is sending himself up. Mostly 80s and hip-hop, with some hair bands and a few American classics thrown into the mix. If you let yourself get hung up on it, you probably aren't going to have a good time. That pretty much goes for all aspects of this bar (and life). Try drinking heavily. I recommend chilled (shaken) shots of Patron at the bar. There are some kinda sketchy dudes who occasionally hang out here, like a bad spring break, so ladies, you might want to bring some friends if you plan to get especially inebriated. Someone got shot outside last year (no joke), but somehow, this fact does not bother me at all and has not decreased my patronage whatsoever. It's just a great place to end up late in the night when you just want to dance. It usually has a short line, low cover, and no scene whatsoever. P.S. Obviously it's a great place to watch rugby and soccer. World Cup game between Argentina and Mexico was insanity. The food is pretty standard, a bit better than average Irish pub food.
