Codex

This was by far the best experience of my visit to Norfolk. Everything from ambiance & service to food was stellar. I was in with a group of five and we were able to be setup with a last minute reservation. Our server was top notch! I wish I caught her name to give her a proper shout out. On arrival, she brought some wines for our group to taste and quickly had us setup with drinks. Since we were lucky to catch restaurant week, we sampled our way around the price fixe menu. We ordered a house made focaccia for the table and it was well enjoyed. Beyond that we had brussels and the prosciutto onion tart. The tart was excellent! A great touch of savory and sweet. For the main entree, I can't speak highly enough about the spaghetti and clams. The pasta was cooked perfectly and the sauce was light while flavorful. We had all of the three desserts on offer and the table agreed that the olive oil cake was best! But of course, everything was a delight. I highly recommend Codex and I will definitely be returning next time I'm in Norfolk.

Codex is a small, casual spot off of Granby that offers Brunch on the 1st Sunday of the month and let me tell you, if you aren't there by 9:30am waiting outside in line, you probably won't get a table when they open at 10am. Thankfully, my friend and I were able to be seated at the last two, available seats at the bar to dine in. Since the place was packed, we were encouraged to order our food and drinks at the same time. The Baklava Focaccia peaked our interest so we decided to have them bring that out first. We also decided on the Corned Beef Hash, Classic French Toast and of course, Espresso Martinis. The Baklava Focaccia was baked perfectly and paired wonderfully with the pistachios and sweet drizzle but there was a particular flavor that I tasted that I wasn't a fan of. The Corned Beef Hash was by far, the best I've ever had!!! I absolutely loved the over easy fried egg on top of the corned beef, potatoes, onions and peppers! It was perfection!!! The Classic French Toast was also just as delicious!!! Unfortunately, we were underwhelmed with the Espresso Martinis along with the size. They were served in what looked to be a miniature cup and wasn't worth $14, in our opinion.Overall, I would highly recommend stopping for brunch at Codex. The food was amazing!!! Sitting at the bar was a bit tight and the service could've been better but with how busy it was, we understood. Codex has Tuesday Pasta Nights and Wednesday Burger Nights so I plan on returning to try their other menu items as well!!!

Second time visiting Codex, it was far different from my first visit.The service was extremely slow. The water was not refilled. The charcoal chicken was extremely dry and overcooked. The vegetables were skimpy.There is a mandatory 20% on the check which does not reflect the quality of food or service.

Codex serves excellent cocktails and the chef clearly knows their way around the kitchen. Desserts could use a little work, but otherwise the food is noteworthy. Servers are chill and check in often without being annoying. If you're dinning with folks that appreciate quality food that's a touch fancy, Codex is a great option. 4.1 stars.

Great service and great food for my sisters birthday! We had 7 in our group and showed up 10 minutes before they opened for brunch. We were second in line on the sidewalk which grew to 15-20 before they even opened the doors at 10am. ***MARK YOUR CALENDARS!***They only do brunch the 1st Sunday of each month!!! And it is SUPERB!The place has a great buzz with a homie atmosphere!! Food was rustic and delicious, there literally isn't a bad plate! We ordered almost everything on the menu between the 7 of us and the favorites were...EVERYTHING!

Codex offers a unique dining experience that combines international culinary influences into their dishes, but it comes with a bit of a price tag for what you receive. While the concept is intriguing, I left feeling like the portion sizes didn't quite match the expectations set by the menu descriptions and prices.We started with several appetizers: the Hericot Vert Salad, Chicken Liver Mousse, Crispy Potato Pancake, and Thai Peanut Salad. The appetizers had potential, but for the price, they felt incredibly small. The salads were quite simple, lacking the creativity or flair that I hoped to find in a fusion restaurant.However, the Chicken Liver Mousse was a delightful surprise. It was rich, creamy, and paired beautifully with the bread, making for a lovely bite. The Crispy Potato Pancake also delivered on its promise, being perfectly crispy on the outside while remaining soft and comforting on the inside.For mains, we opted for the Charcoal Chicken and Shrimp Radiatori. The Charcoal Chicken was enjoyable, but it felt more like a basic rotisserie chicken with a smoky flavor than anything particularly exciting. I was hoping for more depth or innovation in its preparation. It was also served with a side of salad that was served like an afterthought.On the other hand, the Shrimp Radiatori was the star of the meal! The big, juicy shrimp were cooked to perfection, complemented by a lovely basil pesto that elevated the dish. The pasta choice was excellent, allowing the sauce to cling perfectly, making every bite flavorful and satisfying.Overall, while Codex presents an interesting take on fusion cuisine, the small portion sizes and simplicity of some dishes had me hungry for more after this meal. The standout dishes, particularly the Shrimp Radiatori and Chicken Liver Mousse, were delightful, but the other offerings didn't quite meet my expectations, especially given the price point.While I enjoyed my meal, I don't think I would return for a second visit. Codex has potential, but there's room for improvement in both portion sizes and the overall execution of some dishes.

Great spot that I went to for brunch today. We came out of a recommendation from a friend and it was a nice way to catch up. We got there early. A little before 10 am and we got in line as everyone started showing up. We were seated immediately and then received okay service. I would recommend this place in the future, but their brunches are only once a month so just pay attention to the timing. I haven't had their dinner but I am interested after how good the food was today.And they also add gratuity to the bill as well!

Tuesday night pasta night is AMAZING! We happened to head in on a Tuesday evening, when Codex does a three course pasta dinner for $35. We started with a fresh and simply and perfectly dressed salad. The best carbonara I've ever had in the US followed, topped with parm and peas. The pasta was homemade and PERFECTLY cooked. The sticky toffee pudding was finished with a sprinkle of flaky salt and whipped cream. It was the perfect balance of rich flavors and light textures. This may be the easiest 5 stars I've ever given!! Also our server was wonderful, cocktails were inventive and refreshing, and the playlist inside was awesome.

Can confidently say Codex is one of the best restaurants in the entire 757. Located in the heart of downtown Norfolk, the quality of the food here is much better than some of the luxury establishments nearby.For me it is the quality of their appetizers that takes the cake for me. Their oysters come with a yuzu mignette sauce that accents the flavor of the oysters so well and give them a delicious briny freshness that cannot be topped. The restaurant as a whole exudes a freshness and youthfulness that you should not miss. If you consider yourself a 757 foodie you have to try Codex out!

Very cool dining experience. The ambiance in the restaurant feels quite modern with the happenings of the kitchen being seen through a shaded glass wall near the bar. The service we experienced was good although at times it was hard to hear the staff. The food was incredibly tasteful as each dish had flavor pairings which were interesting yet complimentary. Would definitely go back for the sticky toffee pudding, but may pass on the chicken liver mousse next time.