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Coda - CLOSED
Categories: Restaurants American (New) Arts & Entertainment Jazz & Blues Nightlife Jazz & Blues American (New), Jazz & Blues [Edit]
1710 Mission St(between Duboce Ave & 14th St)
San Francisco, CA 94103
Neighborhood: Mission
(415) 551-2632
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Music:
- Live
- Best Nights:
- Tue, Fri, Sat
- Happy Hour:
- Yes
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Smoking:
- Outdoor Area/ Patio Only
- Coat Check:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
178 reviews for Coda
Review Highlights
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"The coffee crusted pork loin in jameson cream sauce." In 21 reviews -
"Have you ever had wine on tap." In 17 reviews -
"Sweet potato fries were fantastic." In 12 reviews
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178 reviews in English
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Review from Dean C.
San Francisco, CA
3/24/2012
I miss you Coda, too bad you guys closed.
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Review from Nancy G.
CA
11/7/2010
Salsa Sunday -
A fantastic idea. Great band. Great location but the floor is very difficult to dance on.
I tried to tell the promoter and started with "I love what you've done with the place but it's a very difficult floor to dance on"
She immediately cut me off, angrily said "I've worked too hard to be criticized" and stormed off.
I then tried a second time to finish my sentence which would have been "you can easily get a portable dance floor for the area cheap and all the best dancers will come" but she still would not let me say anything and this time said "get your $10 and get the f*ck out of my club" while clenching my hand like a sumo wrestler.
If you go, just know you could twist an ankle trying to do a simple spin. -
Review from Numrin T.
Berkeley, CA
11/21/2010 1 Check-in Here
The staff was very nice when I called to make a reservation for a large group. Despite a last minute request and a lot of changes of plans, they were really trying to accommodate our party as best as they can. 5 stars for this.
We made a reservation for 8 pm and I showed up about 15 mins late. To my surprise and a bit of disappointment, the first show (supposed to run from 7-9ish) that I wanted to see was already over. So, we had to wait until 10 pm for the next show...which was ok. The place got really packed after 9:30 or so, so make sure to come early or make a reservation for a guaranteed spot. Also, this brought up another point. I'm ok with a pretty crowded place, but having a bunch of people standing around us while we're eating was a bit awkward and uncomfortable.
Food was pretty good. Their beef burger was very tasty and juicy. Other dishes like fried potatoes, calamari, martini mussel, and grilled summer squash were DELICIOUS. Drinks were good too. Just don't be alarm to see the bill in the end. All these small numbers on your tap add up faster than you think.
Last note, Coda provides a really relax atmosphere to hang with friends/significant others, and possibly too relax. I'll come back again....and I think I'll enjoy it more after I turn 30. -
Review from Marylouise R.
Vallejo, CA
10/13/2010
What a lovely place! went here for my bachelorette and wasn't disappointed. I told my planners that I wanted something that was for the "grown and sexy"... come on... i'm 30 years old and not trying to be the "auntie" at the club. All I told them was i wanted something low key, live music, diverse crowd and a lil good food never hurt anybody... with that said, they picked Coda. WHAT A WONDERFUL PICK!
They gave us prime seating, on an elevated platform with a direct view of the stage, i would say they were the best seats in the house. The jazz band was very good, I was feelin' them. Later in the night was the hip hop/r&b portion and they brought on the live band again and a girl who sang... erykah badu style. She blew my mind.
The drinks were EXCELLENT. They were not skimpy with the alcohol and not watered down. I said goose pls and they came with a CUP FULL, not playin!
The food was super yummy! We had to ask for a 2nd order of truffle fries. They were THAT good... the only thing they were lackin' was a cheese topping... gorgonzola or parmesan... just a lil more. I got the rib eye (which was super cheap, considering it was the most expensive thing on the menu for $25) was super delicious. Everything we had was YUMMY! Things we tried:
spinach risoto - crackin! So good not a drop left on the plate
mushroom ravioli - YUM DILIOCIOUS.... mum mum!
honey ginger fried chicken VERY yummy, but they need to bring it out on a bigger plate!
salmon was superb....
I love this place. Go and check it OUT! -
Review from Mike S.
San Francisco, CA
4/19/2011 1 Check-in Here
this is place is actually awesome. I went there a while back, and they had a live band playing (Santos Perdidos) which became one of my fav. latin jazz band.
the food is actually pretty good, and it's reasonably priced. I had the Roasted Salmon (came out really nice)
just minus one start for the not so extensive wine list. Otherwise, this place is great. -
Review from doreen d.
9/25/2010
Ate here for first time last night. I have to say the food was great. We had the following:
Heirloom Tomato Salad
Fatted calf plate
Rib-eye - YUM
Risotto
Roasted Broccoli Rabe - Yum
All of it was good with my favorite dishes being the Rib-eye and the Broccoli.
Music was fantastic last night and the service is always wonderful. -
Review from Marti L.
8/3/2010 6 photos
That one night not only did my BF surprise me with a dinner date, he also took me to the place I wanted to try.
Coda, the jazz supper club, where one can enjoy good food and live music. The place is nothing like I expected. Chic and refine, but somewhat small. The stage is surrounded by tables with the bar in the back.
Music: great! I love how the band interacted with the patrons. Chitchat and jokes. However, because of the small space, it was difficult to carry a conversation without feeling you're being rude to the musicians or you're interrupting your neighbors.
Food: excellent! We were truly surprised! The Rainbow Carrot Soup was delicious! 2 different types of carrot puree. One sweet, one spicy. Yum! We had to stop ourselves from devouring all the truffle fries and getting too full before our entrees arrived. Good thing we did! My pork loin was tender and the use of almond puree was mind blowing. The BF enjoyed every last bite of his wagyu burger. The warm chocolate brownie wasn't that great, but I like the caramel ice cream on top.
Service: on the fence. Our female server was so friendly and we liked her a lot. On the other hand, we did not like our male server at all. He was very awkward and his mannerism made us very uncomfortable. We also asked him to pack our truffle fries, which we never got back. We suspected that he just threw them away. What's worse was we liked the busboy more than this server. The busboy always had a smile on his face and asked how we were doing; none of which the male server did.
Overall, we still very much enjoyed this place. Great food and music. Good job BF!
Tip #1: On certain nights, Coda offers a $35 prix fixe menu which includes appetizer, entrée, dessert, a glass of wine and music cover fee. Very good deal!
Tip #2: Get to the restaurant early and enjoy 50% off most alcoholic drinks before 7:30pm except weekends. -
Review from Joy A.
Why? For a complimentary wine tasting with (Michael) Martella wines on a random Thursday after work. I am so there!
Where? The tasting event was promoted by Tweservation. Coda, formerly known as the Old Levende Lounge, hosted it.
What? The flights served were:
-Voigner*
-Pinot Noir
-Grenache
-Hammer Syrah
*The Voigner was my absolute favorite! It was smooth, light, crisp, & simply refreshing!! The Hammer Syrah had a nice silky smooth taste.
There was an exquisite selection of bar bites. I loved the truffle fried potatoes best. (There's something about truffle oil that just excites my palette.) The Fatted Calf Charcuterie platter was equally delicious- thinly shaved & complemented w/ capers, beldi olives, & ground house mustard. They also have martini mussels, spinach risotto, & seared scallops. All perfect for sharing!
Bottom line: Cool intimate spot to enjoy great eats, wine/cocktails, & listen to live jazz. -
Review from Amy J.
7/10/2010
This is a great place if you like: live jazz, decent, yet not super overpriced food and a nice atmosphere. The menu has a good enough variety to please everyone and if you're looking to impress a special someone, you can take them here. Sure, they're not the most happening place with a lot of people (even at 9pm on a Friday night). I enjoyed the sweet potato fries, bread, ravioli, fried chicken, wine and brownie here. It sounds over indulgent but it was my birthday dinner so you go ahead and judge me.
I think they change the menu frequently because there are some reviews that mention items I don't remember seeing on the menu. The staff were really friendly and accommodating and the atmosphere is pretty nice here. If you want to hear live music, a $10 cover charge is added to your bill (if you arrive before the band goes on which is around 10pm I believe).
Sure, it's in a hidden area of the Mission with not a whole lot around it but it's worth seeking out if you're looking for something that's unique. I'll probably come back again to check out the prixe fix menu one day. -
Review from Sam Y.
Oakland, CA
7/8/2010
What a nice change of pace! After a long and stressful day at work, I was a bit hesitant about going to a jazz "nightclub". It turned out to be very different than I expected (in a good way). The night had a slow start, but as people began to trickle in, so did the energy. Coda had a very laid-back atmosphere where you can just enjoy great food and drinks while soaking in the jazz.
The venue was very nice and intimate with a very friendly group of staff (although it got a bit awkward trying to order while the band was performing).
Now the food:
- The rainbow carrot soup was excellent! Aside from the great presentation, it was very tasty!
- I had the wagyu burger which was absolutely delishhh! The patty was perfectly cooked and seasoned. Complimented with the cheddar cheese and the "house ketchup", it was "just right"
- The pork loin was also very tasty (although slightly overcooked)
- Kudos for using ingredients that are locally sourced and fresh... even the Humphrey's ice cream
Quick Tips:
- I would definitely recommend this place for happy hour! (till 7:30pm!). It's wasn't crowded at all and with 1/2 off well drinks, wine, and brew... all the better!
- If you're looking for an upbeat "club/bar", I'd recommend coming in in the later hours (10pm+) rather than the dinner show
- If you are there for a show, try looking for tables that have seat directed towards the stage instead of having to look over your shoulder. -
Review from Jamie T.
11/11/2010
Had a great time here enjoying the music as well as the fine dining. It's a happy venue with people eating, sipping on wine, or dancing to the live jazz.
Ordered the fatted calf charcuterie plate. (The house ground mustard just hit the spot) Also had the pork with jameson sauce. Get that if it's available. It's delicious! Side dishes included spinach and squash risotto. I also was very happy to top it all off with warmed chocolate brownie and caramel ice cream for dessert. -
Review from Ligaya T.
San Francisco, CA
1/27/2010 1 Check-in Here
A surefire way to Ligaya's heart is through quality quaffing and great eats. Coda excels in both these aspects, dishing out small plates with a flourish and tap wine like whoa.
Impressive is the hospitality and expeditious is the staff. Might as well carve my name on a barstool, because I think we have ourselves a winner.Listed in: The Mission
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Review from Gabe E.
San Francisco, CA
9/19/2010
A friend and I stumbled into Coda not expecting much: it's right under the 101 overpass, and looks pretty much like a jazz club and not a restaurant, but I figured we were just going to get some bar food: no big deal. In retrospect, I should have known by the yummy smells responsible for luring us in - which turned out to be lots and lots of truffle oil - that this place had very good food. My friend and I shared truffle fries, his Wagyu beef burger, and my Squash ravioli in truffle oil. These people sure like their truffle oil, and I'm not one to complain!
As the band started to warm up, the host came to our table to let us know we were welcome to stay for the show, and that they wouldn't be charging us a separate cover, since we were really just there for a late dinner. The warm up act was sort of painful: he reminded me more of Wesley Willis than any other famous person I tried to be reminded of, even though I could tell he was really into it. Unfortunately, we didn't stay for the main vocalist who everyone was excited about. She had an Erykah Badu look and feel about her: no head wrap or Afro, but just earthy and soulful like that. She was swaying to the music and smiling, and I enjoyed seeing her there, even though we couldn't stay. -
Review from Julia G.
3/31/2010 ROTD 7/16/2010
Have you noticed that bacon is in everything these days: bacon waffles, bacon salads, bacon on burgers, bacon in cocktails, bacon pasta, bacon bacon bacon!! No complaints here as I've completely jumped on the bacon bandwagon. Every time I go out to a restaurant where it's offered I almost never turn it down. Last night was no different.
The snap peas and bacon salad was awesome. It was a crunchy, salty pile of deliciousness. Other noteworthy items were the lemon goat cheese risotto, fried sweet potatoes and asparagus with poached egg (TO DIE FOR).
It was pretty empty when we got there which is surprising considering they have a good happy hour. Wine and beer on tap were half off as well as their well cocktails. I ordered a fantastic glass of wine and it came to $3.
I haven't been here for jazz yet but since it's just down the street from BF's apt I'm sure we'll wander in again soon! -
Review from Pam S.
10/29/2009
I haven't had many good dates in my life. One may think that it's because my ego tends to fill the space around me so I can't hear what my date is saying, but I'm going to blame it on the guys I date. All of them. The exception was here. Not a bad guy, and probably one of my new favorite places to go on a date. Jazz, delicious food, prosecco? Yes, please.
We decided to split a couple of things. Well actually, he decided to share some things, even though I don't like to share, but I do have to admire a man who takes charge. We got the coffee crusted pork loin- good, although I wish the fact that there was pepper in the crust was indicated on the menu. I realize that this is splitting hairs, but I am not a big fan of pepper and I found it to be a bit heavy. Just my opinion, though.
What made up for it was the beef short ribs. As it's not on the online menu, I can't confirm, but I believe it had some sort of maple sauce, some sort of seeds, and a pumpkin puree. It was DIVINE. A perfect meal on a cold, chilly night...and just typing about it is making me crave it more.
At my request, we also got the polenta, which has to be my favorite polenta of all time. I could have eaten that whole bowl by myself. If you're a polenta fan, GET IT. Again, here goes the craving. I thought the prices were reasonable and not at all expensive. I also like the idea of meals not necessarily coming with a pre-set side so you can try more than one.
As it was fairly empty due to the Bay Bridge issues, service was excellent and I didn't find it to be overbearing at all, even though we sat at the bar. I am curious about the wine on tap, and would have to try it next time.
One suggestion I do have: although I didn't check out the waitstaff (too engrossed in my own thoughts, I guess), I did notice that the bartenders were dressed fairly casually. The decor, jazz, menu and wine list would lead one to believe that this is a classy place, with super hot clientele, so I would think that the bartenders would be dressed up a little more and give it some oomph.Listed in: LOVE
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Review from phil h.
10/15/2009
We decided to pop into Coda before the Yelp event for a bite to eat and a couple of drinks (note to self: two drinks BEFORE hitting up an open bar is never a good idea) We walked in around 6:30pm and had to ask if they were opened - we were literally the first people in the place.
Bellying up to the bar, we looked over the cocktail list and beer/wine selections. During happy hour beers are half off, as well as the wines that they serve on tap. Wine on tap? Yeah, you heard me...evidently it's better for the environment since there's no bottling (Coda drives the kegs up to the wineries to have them filled) and the wine was actually pretty tasty.
I ordered a Mint Smash (Bulleit Bourbon, sugar, mint and soda) off their specialty list which was nice but perhaps a bit sweet. And at $11 it seemed a buck or two overpriced, especially considering specialty drinks at 15 Romolo, Rickhouse, etc. can be had for $8-$9.
Speaking of overpriced, we had some truffle fries which were hot and crispy but then noticed if we wanted a sauce to go with the fries it would be an extra buck each. For ketchup. I don't care if it's homemade ketchup, you shouldn't be charging for it, period. We did get some aioli and it was fine but again, charging a buck for it seemed a bit ridiculous.
Service was friendly and efficient (our bartender spent some time discussing the whole wine on tap process which was very cool of her) and while I might pop in again for happy hour I might hesitate to do so. I really hate being nickeled and dimed at restaurants and that's exactly the feeling I had when walking out of Coda.Listed in: The cocktail as art, Belly Up to the Bar
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Review from Gregg K.
San Francisco, CA
9/22/2010
I would give the music 5 stars and the food 3 stars (maybe even 2).
The music is the reason to come here! I've only been once, but plan on coming back after seeing the George Lacson Project. They are a very talented jazz/funk band that gave the crowd a "little ham and eggs comin' at you"! All members performed great solo pieces, and the sax was killin it. They also had a few vocalists join for a few songs (Malcom Marshall was one), and those were all good songs.
We ordered the tuna steak and a pasta dish that both sounded good. The tuna was extremely salty, and the pasta was just meh. It was served with tomatoes and eggplant, but the eggplant did not have a good texture and was cold. Other than that the drinks were decent. -
Review from Angella S.
San Francisco, CA
12/11/2009
Hmmm...
Coda is no reincarnation of Levende. Definitely a different vibe going on and I'm not sure if I likes.
What's good: Live music. Well, I went on a night where the performance had nothing to do with actual musical instruments, but instead, body-beating (or whatever it's called). WHAT IS THAT, you ask? A bunch of guys (whom I actually thought were transients) got up on stage and made music by tapping parts of their body and beat-boxing. Honestly, it seemed like a bunch of guys just free-styling.
From the reviews I've read, the music-music is supposed to be great. For that reason alone, I look forward to returning on another night when that's actually going on.
What else is good: The food. Nothing spectacular, but satisfying for sure. Sweet potato fries can always do a tummy good. The menu is so veggie-friendly and it was all pretty yum.
What ain't so good: Everything else. Honestly, it just seems like they could benefit from a little touch of quality. The tables were shaky, the waiter hadn't a clue about the menu. To top that off, when we walked in, the place was empty. We asked our host if we could sit anywhere, and he told us that all the tables were reserved. WHAT? Later, when he realized that wasn't the case, he told us we could reseat ourselves if we wished. Thanks...But it didn't count after our stomachs were full.
**I do have to give props though...I spilled my drink and they were swift to wipe my table and replace my alky**
I need to go back for another experience. It was so ehhh that I didn't even stay for desserts (a rare occurrence)! A very tentative 3 stars. Stay tuned... -
Review from Chrissy L.
San Francisco, CA
11/19/2009
Dare I say Coda is my new favorite Jazz place in the entire city?
Yes, yes, yes and i'll tell you why this place had me out until 2am on a school night.
First things first: cheap carafes of really good wine. Wine on tap in fact and if you're curious- just try, try again.
Second: The music here is amazing. Not just the band playing but the ambiance, the entire experience. This isn't one of those big, fancy, informal jazz clubs. You'll feel like you're on stage sitting with the musicians as they play. You cannot come to Coda without being engulfed in the music. I came out for B3 Wednesdays and saw Adrian Giovenco & friends. And by friends I mean that he + 2 stopped their set, let a bunch of other people come on stage to play/sing and then had one big jam session.
Coda rocked my Wednesday night and I can't wait to go back on other nights and do it again! -
Review from Lauren N.
San Francisco, CA
3/14/2010
Perhaps it is my love of bourbon, the excellent company, or the vegetables laced with truffle oil, but whatever factors were involved, I loved my Saturday evening experience at Coda. We got a late reservation and stayed for the show - a combo I highly recommend.
As for the food, the must have's:
- The short ribs with a whiskey reduction and acorn squash sauce (love!). I am not really a meat eater. But the waitress insisted they were the best entrée and my friend, who I was sharing my meal with, agreed, we gave them a try. Delicious; extremely tender, and a nice change of pace for this tofu lover.
- The pea tendrils with cocoa nibs and bacon. The ingredients say it all- greens with bacon AND cocoa, TOGETHER!? Yum.
We also enjoyed the broccoli rabe salad with truffle oil, sweet potato fries, and those in the group who ordered the ribeye cleaned their plate (fat and all). That must be a good sign. Drinks were well-mixed and strong.
As for the music venue, the ambiance is intimate and relaxed without the offensive attempts to be trendy. The music was great - Skerdio, a great sax and emcee duo - and we never felt pressured to leave our table for the 3 + hours we were there. Bonus star for the staff, who were super accommodating of my broken leg, even bringing my cast its own chair. It's worth a visit and works well for groups or a date night. -
Review from Jaymes H.
Evanston, IL
11/28/2010 Seated via OpenTable
Unfortunately, we went there hungry for dinner. The pork was very good but the appetizers (scallops and cheese plate) and desserts (brownie and apple) were small, very expensive and unimpressive.
As a place to go for drinks and jazz, tho, Coda was amazing. The wine carafes are generous (~6 glasses) and very affordable. The venue is very comfortable and the music was pretty good.
For drinks and jazz, Coda gets a 4. For dinner, 2. -
Review from Quinn S.
12/15/2009
Superb cocktail program and tasty snacks. I haven't sat for a full dinner, but I'd be more than willing to, based on the bites I've had at the bar.
On the night's I've been when there was a band, the cover wasn't too steep ($7 both times, I believe), but the bands weren't so hot. I've heard they get some good acts, but I think it's best if you get recommendations from someone who's hip to the scene (yeah, I just said "hip to the scene").
Stevie Wonder showed up one night for dinner after the kitchen was closed, and the owner offered to open the kitchen (he is Stevie after all), but he didn't want to be any trouble and actually came back after he ate and ended up singing with the band. If I hadn't heard the story from Kathleen, who is a superb bartender, by the way, I wouldn't have believed it. -
Review from Laura B.
2/16/2010
Kudos to Coda for a lovely dinner for my friends and me last Saturday!
The restaurant space hasn't changed much from its Levende days and was empty as I walked in early for our 7:15 reservation. I chose to sit at the bar and enjoy a cocktail while waiting for my wonderful but punctuality-challenged friends (j/k love you). The bartender was super friendly and just chatty enough - he made me a refreshing BaCu sour and it was exactly as he had described, "like drinking a spa". The cucumber, lemon, and basil flavors sweetly masked the vodka and reminded me that I desperately need a pedicure.
When my friends arrived, we were scrunched into a corner booth (had added 2 people at the last minute) and started mulling over the menu. We ordered up more drinks, both kinds of fries (plain and sweet potato - WOOT!), and two of the brussel sprouts salads to split. I got the Buena Vista cocktail on recommendation from the bartender but MAN it was spicy. Since I am a Food Network fanatic, I know the serrano chili in my drink has a Scoville rating of HELLA HOT, but the drink was actually really good with food. The fries were excellent and we got the housemade aioli (super), ketchup (cinnamon-y? nutmeg-y? coulda licked the bowl) and guiness mustard (spicy and grainy - yum). The brussel sprout salad with bacon and poached egg is the way brussel sprouts should be served forever and ever, amen.
Our mains ranged from ribs to burgers to scallops to coffee-crusted pork loins to the chevre and pear ravioli (which I got). Everything was REALLY GOOD. The ravioli was smothered in pesto and topped with bitter microgreens that offset the sweet pear/cheese filling. The pork loin was awesome and its Jameson sauce was mopped up by everyone within arm's reach. The ribs were tender and super flavorful.
We couldn't stomach dessert (ok, maybe I could have, but I was trying to maintain some dignity), but the selection looked decent. We didn't get to stay for the music, but I would come back here when a good band is playing and try more of the menu (or order the exact same things since they were all very good).
Good luck, Coda! Hope you're around for an encore meal. -
Review from Christopher W.
Danville, CA
8/15/2010
My friends and I were searching for jazz music in SF...much more difficult than you think. We ended up at Coda even though it was funk music. Haven't really listened to much funk before so I admit it was a new experience for me. Definitely started to grow on me.
Plenty of seating in booths and a lively crowd, but not too rowdy. Would be interested in checking it out on an actual jazz night. -
Review from Brian H.
San Francisco, CA
11/18/2009 1 Check-in Here
Finally checked out the new home of Jazz Mafia Tuesdays yesterday. First off, Coda gets massive props for supporting local jazz. We need places like Coda if we don't want our best local talent to keep moving to New York, a la Charlie Hunter, Kenny Brooks, Will Bernard, etc. So big thank you to Coda for providing a forum for local jazz artists to do their thing, and get paid, 7 nights a week.
I'm definitely predisposed to like any establishment where I can see the best jazz musicians in the Bay for $7-$10 cover any night of the week. This place would really have to suck for me to give it less than 5 stars, and it didn't suck. Nice looking, tastefully appointed room. Comfy lounge set-up with plenty of tables and barstools. Nice long bar, friendly bartenders, and great specials ($2 Trumer all night on Tuesdays). Nice wine selection and prices.
The set up is a little odd, as what would be the dance floor is also the main dining space. There is a little space cleared for dancers between the tables and the stage, but the crowd was mostly seated until late in the night. Basically the set-up discourages dancing. This is unfortunate, but you got to work with what you got, and Coda does a pretty good job organizing its smallish space. You also have to make money, and serving food may be the only way for a jazz club to stay viable. Certain compromises are inevitable in any establishment that functions as both music venue, restaurant, and bar, but Coda manages to strike a nice balance and seems to succeed reasonably well in all three categories.
The food looked pretty damn good- I didn't eat at Coda last night but I will definitely be back to do so. Apparently, if you make a reservation for dinner after 7, you also get to avoid the cover charge, keep your table for the night for $5 per person, or hang in the bar for free- a great incentive to come back and eat.
Coda is a welcome addition to the inner Mission- a low-key, less expensive alternative to Yoshi's, and a great place to have a drink and catch some fantastic local jazz. Shotgun Wedding Quintet killed it last night... They even gave N2Deep's classic "Back to the Hotel" the Jazz Mafia treatment. Getting down with the Jazz Mafia remains pretty much the best thing you can do on any given Tuesday (and most other days, for that matter) in San Francisco.
Oh yeah and... Stevie Wonder kicked it here. If it's good enough for Stevie, it's good enough for me... http://www.youtube.com... -
Review from aimee j.
San Francisco, CA
12/19/2009
Coda gives Yoshi's SF a run for its money, to be sure.
I instantly loved Coda because it's in my 'hood. And the leather couch outside which lead to a conversation about how they keep it so nice. Inside we were seated early for our 8pm reservation even though half of our party was not present----this is pretty rare with nice places so I was impressed. Soft lighting and notes of jazz filled my head.
I enjoyed the creativity put into the menu items, whether they were cocktails or appetizers. I got my drink on with the BaCu Sour, which R likened to "a drink you'd get at a spa," which was spot on because the combo of lemon, cucumber, basil and St. Germain glossed over the fact that there was also vodka and gin in there too. Everyone else at the table loved the On The Shizz, which was a citrus dream with Jameson, blood orange bitters, ginger beer, pomegranate juice and lemon. I didn't notice the wine list much, though we got a nice bottle of Prosecco at a reasonable price.
Food was also very creative. We split the panko-crusted burrata cheese and brussels sprouts salad with bacon and topped with goat cheese and a poached egg. Both were very satisfying in their comfort foodiness. I was also impressed with their great selection of veg for the side -- brussels sprouts, greens, broccoli rabe, cauliflower, mushrooms -- all prepared with flavours which accentuated the veg.
We split the sauteed broccoli rabe which was a little bitter but I liked it that way, and the truffled kennebec fries which were a hit with everyone. I had the mussels steamed with Pisco and grapefruit, which I enjoyed. Mrs. T had the very interesting ravioli with goat cheese and roasted pear in an arugula pesto. Another hit was the Mr. R's tasty Random Rubbed Grilled Ribeye Steak; Mister B's coffee crusted pork loin with this YUMMY creamy Jameson sauce.
I couldn't bring myself to have dessert, though enjoyed a nice Sauternes and a bite of browned butter ice cream topped with balsamic glaze, candied walnuts and basil. Yum. The lavender panna cotta was good. I also had a cup of great Four Barrel Ethopian.
Overall the food was great, I loved the ideas----only advice I would give to the kitchen is to be more generous with seasoning. (Salt)
Service was friendly, though not always available.
On with the show---we stayed for the 10pm set by The Marcus Shelby Quartet-----they really rocked it. What is the jazz term for rocked it anyhow?
Another big plus for me was that we could have just come for the show, but since we dined there they just added $5 per person. Not bad, says I.
Mister B and I will be back. -
Review from Lynee L.
Sunnyvale, CA
12/1/2010
4 stars for the wine & jazz
2 stars for the food
this is a great place to listen to music with a carafe of wine.
the dinner entrees were tasty but small and when they say entree they just mean 1 main item no sides so you have to order some items to share, which we did. the cheese plate is skimpy and not for those who don't like strong cheeses. the scallops were delish. desserts were good but both were a bit dry and not really what i would expect from a restaurant. -
Review from scott l.
Oakland, CA
10/22/2009
My friend threw a surprise party for her husband here, and it was a great choice!
The look is like an old converted brick warehouse or factory. Great textures with pops of colored accent light and candlelight. It's sultry and lively at the same time. Perfect for young upscale professional on a date.
Everything is a small plate here. I went simple with the Potato Bud (?) Seared Scallops ($11) and the Truffled Fried Kennebec Potatoes ($5.25). The scallops were particularly tasty. Perfect sear. The meat was sticky, sweet, moist and just delicious. The cauliflower puree tasted of a richness that was beyond description. I can't remember when I've had a better scallop.
The truffle fries were everything I wanted: crisp, salty, earthy. Would be fabulous alongside a tall, ice cold pilsner.
Our waiter's cocktail knowledge was a little rough (they didn't know what a "scotch neat with a water back" was) but all our drinks arrived perfectly. The dirty martini could have been dirtier, but I think that's just personal preference.
Two of our friends ordered the Coffee Crusted Pork Loin ($16). One was perfectly moist and just what you'd expect. The other was dry like overcooked chicken. Hmmm. Two other friends at the other table were also unimpressed by their risotto and their pork loin, but I can only gauge Coda on my dishes, which were great.
If you're looking for a fresh, lively, upscale date spot, Coda is it. The food is simple and delicious. The setting both comforts and energizes. I can't wait to take my wife! -
Review from Jacquee P.
San Francisco, CA
Updated - 11/11/2009
OMG! I came back for dinner again so I could try the brownie dessert.
Oh oh oh oh oh oh.
4"x4", moist in the middle, chewy on the edges brownie topped with caramel ice cream. Simply delicious. Big enough to share but totally manageable on your own.
The service was just as sweet and nice and lovely as my first experience.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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10/7/2009
The staff is lovely - kind but not overbearing.
The food is super tasty!
Brussel sprout salad? Check!… Read more »
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Review from Pat L.
San Francisco, CA
3/6/2010
1st place we hit on our tour of places participating in Yelp Drinks Week around the Mission.
We went in hungry and left totally satisfied. I got "On the Skizz" cocktail, strong and sour- and a solid amount of food. We split broccoli rabe salad- butternut risotto- rosemary toast + 3 sauces- and fried buratta cheese. I wouldn't call any of them the best I've ever had, but they all impressed.
It's a converted warehouse space and the lighting and layout is very cool. We weren't there long enough for the jazz show but the experience tempted me to stay. Loved the old school funk music. Very lively, but comfortable without offensive noise. Bruce, the owner was super nice to us when he came to visit our table, and they ran out the door to catch me when I forgot my phone. This place makes a lot of effort and it's a winner. -
Review from Dee Dee R.
San Francisco, CA
12/15/2010
(UPDATE: Late Feb. 2011- Hm! Did my review kill Coda? Whilst doing a produce stroll to the Mission I noticed it looked boarded up and closed for business. Not. Surprised. Good luck next time.)
Poz
Bad ass damn grooving music. Nice class of well dressed savvy men. Bad ass damn grooving music. Nice class of well dressed savvy men.
But, as I type this late-night review my RAW IN THE MIDDLE fried chicken thigh left-over (from early tonight) is being broiled ... CAUSE IT WAS SERVED RAW IN THE MIDDLE and I didn't know it at the time .
$16.50 for three so-so pieces and cole slaw, ridiculous. On their worse day Farmer Brown and Hard Knox have nothing to worry about.
See, me and my running buddy checked out their early Tuesday night Jazz thingie (12/14/10). Got there round 8pm, nice door gal, ignored by the door man as usual.
Ordered fries, good. Mussels, good. Chardonnay, meh. Tea, good.
Fried Chicken ...Here is where I am a maven a monster and a size-queen. Size wise okay. But that shiz is NOT fried. Baked, maybe. Broasted? Toasted?? I had to ask for the salt shaker!
The "fried chicken" was sort of like shake and bake for out of touch Buppies. The breast was a bit too moist inside like a wet cake. Drumstick, ditto ... as additional injury I later discovered the thigh was RAW IN THE MIDDLE.
Coda! This is the second time I've had raw in the middle fried chicken there. First time was back when you first opened, I ignored it.
Our bill was 70 bucks.
Granted, we tipped 20 percent cause the waiter is a doll. We even came back later in the evening for a more music and a nightcap and I had two glasses of wine, one had to be thrown away cause it was horrible the second was meh.
I will make sure to eat before I go to Coda but that won't be for a long time.
PS
This must be added: When we came back later Tuesday night for more music and a nightcap we sat at the bar and saw a "Five Dollar Tuesday Night Appetizer Menu"! Wha?? Why didn't we get that menu, I nicely asked the bartender and waiter ...blank faces were my answer.
Everytime I think of that place I have mixed thoughts: too much money spent for too little of a return, style but not substance. -
Review from Rick R.
San Francisco, CA
9/22/2009
In it's class, and in my hood, I give this place a solid 5 of 5 stars. used to be the old Levende lounge. Levende didn't hold a candle to this burning flame.
I've been here 4 times now in 2 months. Why? The coffee crusted pork loin in jameson cream sauce. There is lots of other stuff that is good to be sure. Butternut squash and pumpkin seed risotto? A myriad of delicious appetizers, a very respectable wine list? Not to mention great jazz musicians most nights. The menu actually has changed 3 times since they opened and is very seasonal. But for certain, the number 1. The pork loin crusted in coffee grounds served atop a buttery crustini and dripping in jameson based cream sauce. There is something simply magical there. Good god, allegedly it came o the chef/owner in a dream.
The staff rocks, the owner is a nice guy. I'd go here just as often, even if I didn't live across the street. Oh and it's VERY reasonable. Expect to pay sub $20 pp without booze for an decent size entree+ side. A lush 2 person dinner with a nice bottle of wine will still get you out under $100.
GO GO GO GO GO - you wont be disappointed.
And a round of fernet for the bartenders !! -
Review from Genevieve R.
San Francisco, CA
9/13/2009
I've seen this spot morph so many times over the years: Butterfly, then Levende Lounge, then Coda. Third time may be the charm: the place is solid! Tapas, but with a heavier hand on portion-size, which I appreciate in a down economy! Good acoustics, nice service, and surprisingly good food. For some reason I had my doubts when I shouldn't have.
WINNERS: coffee-rubbed pork loin; summer squash and eggplant; halibut with noodles; sweet potato fries (get the Guinness mustard dip); red wine risotto with goat cheese
Top it off with the musical act and you're golden. Support this place peeps! -
Review from gabby m.
San Francisco, CA
11/29/2009
The familia took me out here for my birthday on a Sunday night. I made a reservation a few weeks before since I wasn't sure about crowds. Parking was cool, but it may be dicier on a Fri or Sat night.
We arrived and there were just a couple of people there. We were seated and got our menus. My sister got some kind of fruity type drink that she didn't like. I ordered a mojito type drink I think. When it arrived it was crazy strong. Has it been that long since I had a drink that I don't remember hard liquor? I don't think so......if you like your drink strong, this is the spot.
We ordered our meals, I went with the burger and truffle fries. Oh, I also ordered mushrooms on the burger. OMG, this was really, really delicious, the mushrooms were like carmelized and yummy. The burger was so juicy. The truffle fries were ok, my sister's sweet potato fries were tastier. My dad got the steak, which he said was great. My mom got a fish dish, which she loved, and compliments from her are rare as she was a cook herself for many years. Service was good, our server was on it, except that he kinda ignored my friends who arrived after we did for a while.
We had some desserts too, the chocolate one, and some other fruit thing. I don't really remember, may be they weren't particularly memorable?
The show was really cool, it was a latin jazz night. The opener was this one guy who played his guitar and he had a guy with a trumpet with him. Nice, chill out music. When the second act came out they were more like dance latin jazz. At that point in time we left, cuz we were tired. I would like to go again, but not sure if I would be up for the pricey food if I had to pay for it...also, both my friend and I, who got the burgers felt really funky after we ate. Hopefully it wasn't the food -
Review from Angela C.
Evanston, IL
3/24/2010
Two friends and I went to this jazz club on Tuesday night. The live music (Jazz Mafia that night) was good, and the environment felt very relaxed.The bartenders were super friendly and helpful in picking food and drinks. I had a delicious cheese platter with honey and walnuts. The beers were $6-8, cocktails $9-11, and whiskeys $11-15.
If you get there an hour before the show, they won't charge you the ticket price. -
Review from David N.
San Francisco, CA
12/28/2010
1. This place is supposedly closing January 1, 2011 due to hard times in the current economy. So I'll keep this review short.
2. Came in with a townhog voucher ($20 for $40 worth) and presented when ordering. No issues here.
3. Ravioli is really good. Honey Ginger Fried Chicken is average, nothing special. The coffee crusted pork loin that everyone is talking about on Yelp is not on the menu since one of the chefs moved out of the place.
4. Seated at 7:30, show started at 8. You will be charged a cover on your bill if you stay during the show. The shows are relatively cheap and with the townhog voucher, they only charged $5 for two people.
5. Ambience is chic and cool. love it.
6. You can dress casual but it's nice to dress up just a tad bit. You could feel underdressed with a hoodie, jeans, and tennis shoes but noone will say anything.
7. Performers will set you in the mood to relax. We got Cello Joe who did an awesome job of playin the cello, beatboxin, and singin his lyrics.
Conclusion: Nice place to kick back, food's good (not killer), I would definitely come again just to have a nice dinner and chill listening to performers. -
Review from Jonathan B.
San Francisco, CA
5/3/2010
There is so much to like about this place, I'm not sure where to start.
How about their "wine from the barrel" concept? They have a decent selection of bottled wine, but they have something I've never heard of before - wine on tap! Why didn't someone think of this idea before?? They have their wine supplied directly from the wineries from the barrel and kept in fancy oxygen-free containers to keep it fresh. It bypasses bottles and corks, so they pass it off as "green" but because of my background in business I pass it off as an interesting/creative way to save customers money on good wine. It didn't help - we easily spent way more on wine than food... (5 stars!)
How about their food? Two words: f-ing amazing! Their sautéed mixed mushrooms were made, I think, just down the block from heaven. Even a basic mixed green salad is anything but "basic" as they use a minted balsamic dressing mmmmmm... We also tried the Israeli cous cous, some kind of cheese stuffed ravioli smothered in all sorts of deliciousness, and the potato bud seared scallops in a cauliflower puree (yes, it's as good as it sounds.) (5 stars!)
How about the live music? The Latin jazz band playing that night was really good. If I didn't have the dance skills of a 6'5" white guy I would've been salsa-ing it up. However, I AM a 6'5" white guy with questionable dancing abilities so I kept my participation to "spectator." They add the $10/person cover to your tab, which they didn't tell us ahead of time so our server took pity on us and only charged us for one. (5 stars!)
How about the service? It was packed - on a Sunday night! - and it seemed there was only one waiter working (seriously?) so I'll cut him a little slack for not being as attentive as I hoped. He made up for it by recommending some great food and wine. (4 stars)
One word of caution though, if you're coming here expecting to have great conversation with whoever you're eating with, do it before the band starts! We were originally seated right up front and once the band began playing it was way too loud to hear anything. We considered texting our convo back and forth, but our waiter was very cool and let us move to the prime seating along the back wall. Score. Since I have the hearing of an octogenarian, this was much appreciated. I'll definitely be back! -
Review from Jonathan L.
San Francisco, CA
12/18/2009
As I walked into Coda, I was very impressed with the ambiance. As my buddy said, this is a "good date place." He was right, of course. Mellow lighting with a jazz band stage backdrop. Very friendly bartenders and a full bar to boot. This is the first place that I've seen that served wine on tap. Was pretty interesting to see but unfortunately, did not taste very good. I'd stick with cocktails next time I come back.
Anyway, on to the food. We started with pastena in brodo for an appetizer. The tomato sauce was excellent and was great for dipping with the bread. For the main course, I had the coffee crusted pork loin and it was perfectly done. I never thought of putting the two together but I'm not going to complain. The meat was cooked perfectly. Not tough at all. As with most "fancy" places, portions were a bit small for my liking but it definitely made up for it in quality.
I would highly recommend coming here. If you're up for it, stay around 10pm and a jazz band performs. An awesome way to have an enjoyable evening. -
Review from Adam B.
1/21/2010
Jazz clubs are perfect for long term couples that need a break from talking to each other at a bar or over dinner. Not nearly as formal as Yoshi's, a perfect solution for some last minute entertainment served with hearty comfort food. The performers are always changing so I can't fairly critique the band I saw under this restaurant review, but will note that you can't expect Ella Fitzgerald quality on a slow San Francisco weeknight! The wine on tap surprisingly tastes better than many similarly priced glasses from a bottle and is more eco-friendly too!
Romesco Sauce: Decided to get one of their $1 sauces for all the focaccia bread offered. Reminded me of a fancy flavored hummus with nice crunchy nut bits. Not sure what exact recipe they used, but there was a lot going on... a much better deal than the ketchup!
Panko Crusted Fried Burrata Cheese: Burrata is always a special treat because it contains a surprise mix of mozzarella scraps and cream in the center of its outer mozzarella shell. This fried version was able to maintain that unique creamy center by only lightly cooking the outer shell. The contrast of textures and temperatures was amazing! Only wish they had offered more tomato sauce... very skimpy.
Short Ribs: A huge chunk of braised short rib spanning the length of three bone segments. The meat was sweet (like molasses) and spicy (like cinnamon) while being perfectly tender throughout. There was even a nice firm bit of meat on the topmost layer. It was served on some sort of acorn squash purée that was decent, but had the weird texture of peanut butter. The pumpkin seeds scattered about added a nice crunch.
"Wagyu Beef" Burger: Soft brioche bun and juicy burger. The patty had a good sear so must have been thrown on a very hot surface. The toppings were a little boring and nothing was served on the side which is kind of weird. -
Review from Helen V.
2/18/2010
So I went here with my boss last night. The music was good. The food was great! I ordered a Caesar salad with anchovies to start off with. Yummy! Not many places offer anchovies with the Caesar so that gets a + in my book.
I ordered the mussels as my meal. For $10, there were a ton of mussels in the meal! The flavoring was awesome! I think our drinks were more expensive then our meals though.Definitely enjoy this place! will be back!Listed in: Favorite Place on a Saturday…
