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 PHANTOM APPROVED
Coda serves dolled-up comfort food in an urban setting—at suburban prices.
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The modern, loungey dining room seemed a little slick for a neighborhood eatery. The tables are crammed in so tight Phantom had to suck in his behemoth belly to sit down. |
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The gourmet menu is concise but well thought out, with comfort-food offerings galore. |
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To start, oven-roasted chicken wings were nicely cooked, but the cumin-lime butter was an odd match for the Asian-style dipping sauce. While pan-fried potstickers were piping-hot, a veggie-heavy filling tasted more La Choy than authentic Chinese. |
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A brined, grilled pork chop was succulent and juicy, the charred apple and breadcrumb topping providing terrific contrast to the salty meat. An entrée-size portion of mac-and-cheese was pasta perfection—creamy and tangy, with chunks of meaty pancetta. But an over-herbed turkey-portobello meatloaf tasted like someone spilled a jar of dried thyme into the mix. |
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Desserts are made fresh daily. Phantom scarfed down two rich and flaky chocolate-covered cannoli filled with two flavors of ice cream—spicy cinnamon and luscious peanut butter. |
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Portions are generous, but not so over-the-top that you’ll be tempted to skip dessert. |
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Food and drinks came out efficiently, though Phantom’s server acted like he’d rather be somewhere else. |
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The polished décor was as sleek as a Pottery Barn showroom—and just as pristine. |
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With appetizers in the single digits and entrees that top out at $18, Coda brings a much-needed price break to South End diners. |
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Coda is is easy to find on Columbus Avenue, just a few steps from Back Bay Station. But good luck finding visitor’s parking in this neighborhood. |
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Review Date:
11/3/2007 |
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