Codex — Restaurant in Norfolk

Top notch food and service! Everything delicious and well-executed, maybe a little expensive for what it is, but price aside a wonderful meal and experience. Peach and burrata perfectly complemented by pickled shallot, balsamela, and bread crumbs. House baked focaccia with whipped butter and just the right amount of salt is fantastic. Thai peanut salad is outstanding, dressing is particularly wonderful. Nduja flavorful and unique, especially over perfectly-toasted sourdough. Prosciutto and onion tart another exquisite amalgamation of complementary flavors, certainly not too blue-cheesy if that's a concern like it sometimes is for us. Brussels perfectly crispy and savory with accompanying crushed peanuts and nuoc cham. Cauliflower a canvas for a balanced combination of robust, yet not overpowering, spices and flavors. Potato pancake was just a touch bland, the only source of disappointment with the food. Burger and Fett are must-try house specialties, both bursting with savory flavor and expertly-prepared. All three desserts are great options depending on your preference, especially decadent toffee pudding with perfect whipped cream and salted toffee sauce. Drinks were slightly disappointing, seemed like a small amount for the price point, with a neat but voluminous rectangular prism ice cube taking up so much of some of the glasses. Coffee Spritz, Algonquin, and Downtown Revival cocktails are all well-crafted, unique and carefully balanced with lots of flavors that work well together, each subtly present and not overpowering the others. Old Town Cider was a fun try, a bit on the sweeter side, but certainly not too much so. After Dinner Flight another fun try. Service very attentive, relaxed atmosphere, bathrooms clean. 20% tip is included on the bill, and they certainly don't try to sneak this by you as some have claimed, they bring it right to your attention. Excellent experience all around, definitely recommend!

Finally made it in for brunch - food just as outstanding as their dinner menu! Chocolate chip French toast very nice, thick and rich with tasty embedded chocolate chips. Best quiche we've ever had - outstanding savory and thick crust, caramelized onions and gouda baked in, and accompanying smoked tomato cream sauce! Very nice sides of sausage and bacon, and vanilla and cinnamon cardamom vanilla lattes were both flavorful and excellent. Raspberry jam glazed donut focaccia an awesome and unique sweet treat! Very busy for brunch, and no brunch reservations, so definitely plan on either a long wait or getting there before they open at 10 to wait in line and snag an early table, maybe even 9:30-9:45. We got there at 9:50 and were lucky to get one of the last remaining tables before they all filled up. Service accordingly somewhat slow considering they fill right up at 10 AM,...

We went during restaurant week, where area restaurants offer a 2 or 3 course predetermined menu at a $35 or $45 dinner price tag. I appreciated how Codex did their offering as you could choose anything on their menu to create your own 3-course meal, just that some items had an upcharge.

I will say, if I could, I'd give 4.5 stars just because we arrived 10 mins early for our reservation. Was told she'd just need to fix our table but then she realized she couldn't give us the table as a larger party was coming in. We watched someone arrive after us get the next open 2-top and then we were seated about 20 mins after our actual reservation time. BUT we were offered a couple of seats along the wall and the hostess took our drink order, that's why it would only be a half star deduction.

The food was WONDERFUL, we Loved everything we ordered:

Appetizer: Mussels - this is a generous serving of mussels served in it's flavorful broth and a hearty slice of focaccia bread. Mussels were cooked perfectly so not chewy at all and not much grit was found. My dinner mate kept staring these were the best mussels he's had in awhile.

Roasted Cauliflower - about a 1/4 of the head, served tender with a curry flavor.

Entree: Duck Breast - this didn't have the crispiness layer to it that we are used to; however, it was very tender. Personally I thought it still had a stronger gamey flavor than I care for but my dinner mate loved it.

Short Rib - very tender and flavorful. I loved how the short rib was paired with rice grits as they complimented each other nicely.

Dessert: Sticky Toffee Pudding - this was more of a cake in toffee syrup. The cake was a very airy lightly flavored chocolate cake, topped with a thick sweetly flavored whipped cream. It was different and tasty, not a standard dessert.

Bathroom: There are 2 unisex individual bathrooms. I went into the second one and found it quite welcoming with the burning candle (very nice touch) and automatic lights. The table left enough space that you can still place a purse on it. And they had an offering of hand soap and antibacterial. No changing table in this one but this really isn't a restaurant to bring...

Codex is awesome! The food, beverages, atmosphere and service are the gold standard for Norfolk. The menu rotates weekly so there is always something new. Just try and enjoy.

First visit: Burger, tomatoes panzanella and squash. All amazing! Ordered two different saisons in bottles. Not a large selection but both were delicious.

Second visit: As good as the first. The halibut appetizer is awesome! Two more awesome saisons. Had to get the tomatoes panzanella and burger again.

Third visit: keeps getting better! Shishito peppers with peaches? Who would have that of this pairing but it is awesome! The cauliflower is amazing as well. Did I mention the beer bottles? Will take pics of them on the next visit. Awesome selection of some unique beers.

Forth visit: the branzino is off the charts!

Fifth visit: had to get the branzino again and the shishito peppers. So good! Added the scallops. Perfectly seared with a slight crust and super tender on the inside. Nothing is ever over seasoned.

Sixth visit: The fett and fried chicken were amazing! The recommended red wine pairing was also perfect.

Seventh visit: Tuna and Pork entrees. Both delicious

Eighth visit: Cioppino is simply amazing

15th visit?: Still every meal is amazing! 2 days in Charleston before this visit. Codex would be one of our favorites even there.

16: Scallops were amazing but the big surprise was the sweet potato. Baked until soft then pan fried. The skin was nice and crispy. Served with a goat cheese purée. Delicious! Only got a pic of the scallops

17: scallops!

18: Fete!

19: Fried chicken Sunday! Sous vide then fried without the skin. Super moist and delicious

20: The rockfish is sublime! Light and flaky with a crispy skin. Served with roasted fennel, leeks...