Code Restaurant and Lounge

I drove all the way from LA to Newport Beach to see my beloved Joris Voorn on a GIANT Thursday event. If I were to ever go deaf in the future, I plan on blaming it on this one night. I’m hoping it was a one night fluke, but it just boggles me why any place would turn their sound to this level.
All the sounds blended together. Every time a high note was hit, it was like a shrieking in my ear tearing at my brain. It was really upsetting to me that Joris’s set was almost unbearable due to the bleeding my ears sustained.
NEVER coming back here again.
*****UPDATE*****
I just realized that this place closed? My response to that: WOOOOOOOT!

This place CLOSED??? My response to that is…
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
Oh gah I remember how crappy and stupid this joint was. Tried to be all Hollywood and shit and came up waaaaay short. Why am I not surprised it closed? Ah well. It’s for the better so peeps don’t waste their damn time coming here.
Sayanora, suckaz!

This club did not give us a good experience. We spent a lot of money in dinner then got kicked out to the cold for a while. They apparently can’t handle serving dinner and being a club at the same time. Plus you’ll notice there is usually a line out the door. Don’t believe the hype, the line is usually just to make you think its a hot spot. The club is usually ½ empty.
We went before the holidays but I thought I’d put this up just in case.
(update: I hear the place closed down. I’m not surprised, they should have seen the reviews and done s something about it)

If you take one look at me you know I’m not a «club person». Now I don’t mean this in a negative way just a realistic one. I’m white, 6 feet tall and awkward. So naturally bumping and grinding to house, techno or whatever is not going to be at the top of my list.
Some times you do things for your friends you don’t want to, going to clubs that don’t have drag queens and charge too much for a bud light is one of them.
Plus my girl Laura was so excited to see DJ Colette and it was her lover’s birthday how could I say no to her, I mean really have you met her? She is super bossy and tiny and honestly that combo always scares me.
So I went clubbing.
Without a doubt it’s the company you keep that can make or break the turnout of any night and I was in good company. Between watching Tim P. battle some random guy and get served, laughing with Jess, finding out the answer as to what the hell Stevenennn is always doing at the club and seeing how happy Nino and Laura were made for one of the best nights I’ve had in a long time.
Who knew?
So my advice to anyone is, even if you aren’t a «club person» if you come with the right friends, ingest the right amount of booze and decide to have fun then you will.
Maybe you’ll have so much fun you’ll forget you just paid too much for a bud light.

5 stars for the music last night. Colette is one of the sickest house DJ’s around. That bitch sings and spins at the same time and I just can’t get enough of her!
THURSDAY. GIANT THURSDAYS. HOUSE MUSIC THURSDAYS.
This is the place to BE in the OC on a thursday (god I love when things rhyme).
About the venue:
–Parking is easy and free.
–They say they open the doors at 9:30 but it’s closer to 10.
–There’s a bar in the same parking lot … come early, have a few beers there before you go in because…
–Alcohol is expensive. $ 6 for a Heineken. Actually, that’s not THAT bad.
–Bartenders move quick and are friendly.
–The guest list online thing is a waste of time.
–Free Entry.
–The line gets long. Come early.
I spent the whole time on the dance floor. I didn’t check out the smoking patio but apparently they have one. I didn’t go to the bathroom either but I’m pretty confident they have those too.
Mel’s face the whole night looked like she was hating liking it. So go ahead and bring the haters… they just might like it. And the rumors are true, Tim P busts out some serious moves. Thanks for coming out guys, and stevenenen major props to you buddy for telling me about thursdays here. They’re «magical».
Thanks for not making fun of my dance moves.

I give this place a 4 star for the restaurant. I came here for the first time with a girlfriend and together we ordered about 8 dishes off the happy hour menu. There was so much food that they brought it all in a golden platter! And the comment from the waiter was «I’ve never seen two little lady eat so much.» Admittedly we ate and tried everything. it was good, I can’t say it’s the best in town, but for the ambiance, décor, and service, I definitely would recommend people coming here to dine and would bring more friends here. As for the lounge and after meal-​time party, have to say «YOU GO DAVE! GOOD JOB WITH PROMOTING GIANT HERE!» This place probably needs it.
But to the staff the the restaurant, you guys are excellent and have left a lasting impression on me.

This used to be Fury, but now it’s code. We got treated well here, had an amazing time, music is decent (it could be better-​more 80’s PLEASE!). My friend ordered a table for her bday and the cocktail waitress was super sweet and nice to us! Bathroom attendant was very sweet, too! The crowd here are nice, energetic, super positive! I would definitely come back here again!

Thurs night with Giant!
James Zabiela gottta love him! Giant let’s us in free on a guest list –Cool! I headed over there after church. Oh and if you don’t know the area it is kind of hard to find so bring directions. The restaurant is at the end of a cul-​de-​sak with the name facing the opposite side. At 930pm they still weren’t open so I went next door for a cocktail. My friends showed up at ten and were in line about 15 mins when I walked up. They were i the so called guest list line.
Hmm. as I was standing there I noticed the short skirts and the boobs (both female –literally boobs and male– you know those boob type guys think Heidi’s guy Spencer) were getting in as they walked up.
«What line are we in?» oh this is the VIP line «really? THIS is the guest list line?» we hadn’t moved in like 20 mins. I didn’t want to be a B but I don’t do lines. But I didn’t want to act up in front of my friends who seemed patient, calm and willing to wait.
We get in and I notice yeah you don’t need to wait in line or get on a list to get in free it is all free. I walk through the door and it is kinda nice space but not crowded at all. So what’s up with a line outside!!! I HATE when clubs do that. It doesn’t make me feel cool to be inside. I feel more betrayed by their stupid arrogance~ Hoping it lures the type that needs to be in the hot spot. Uh the emptiness inside will alert them later and Hello there isn’t a cover so why lie? I HATE that.
Anyways I am with friends and James Zabiela and it’s time for a COCKtail! Interesting spot getting a drink is easy I think 3 bars in a small-​ish spot. VIP area was lame. Crowd was great. Some very nice and some very drunk! I don’t like drunk girls but remember boys I said earlier short skirts and boobs. It wasn’t crowded enough to be pushy but I was dancing with a group near the front by the dj and all his groupies needed to be closer. Uh the place is small and not that busy do you really need to be in the exact spot I am dancing in? My friends got tired of playing dancing bumpers off the few that kept going in and out of Vip so they left after an hour or so. I stayed and moved around it got better.
I like great music and room to dance so I may be back.

OMG this was the best club I’ve ever been to! If only it were open 7 nights a week! NOT!
So check this: my crew arrived at about 10 minutes after 10pm on a Saturday night, which btw we were told would be fine. We had a bigger girl to guy ratio in our party, and we were ready for table service too! We waited in line like idiots only to realize about an hour later that we weren’t getting in because our girl: guy ratio wasn’t 10:1. The funny thing is that the guy working the front told us that they had reached capacity, but then some of our girls ended up going in just to check it out… and they shortly came back out saying that the place was not packed whatsoever, LOL. I’ve had better chances of getting into more upscale clubs in L.A.
3 major problems:
1) This club basically tries to be an L.A. club but fails… very miserably.
2) They try to make it seem that this is the most poppin’ club in Newport Beach, when in actuality they fill it to about 50% capacity.
3) Horrible location. Lots of corporate buildings and maybe a couple of restaurants around.
4) Unless you’re willing to buy 2 overpriced bottles of cheap alcohol for table service, don’t even try to get in.
We left the joint and ended up having a much better time at Red Night Club (about 3 minutes away) which had no wait, no cover, and very friendly and enthusiastic workers that flipped our night for the better.
Recommendation for Code: Try harder, idiots.

This place is a lounge (and apparently, a pretty popular one) at nights and weekends but I came for lunch, so you can imagine how that is.
Admittedly, the place is pretty slick, with fancy glass exterior, 12 feet tall front doors and a lot of dark wood. There’s a big open bar, dark booths, and because it helps with digestion, beds. Being cheap and all, my group and I didn’t get bottle service at lunch so we didn’t get to lounge around on the beds.
Onto the food. Don’t be deceived by the online menu. There is no sushi nor interesting salads. Code is owned by a Persian man so the menu is Persian: kebabs, rice dishes, persian appetizers and desserts.
Appetizer is sesame flatbread with butter. I had the Sirloin Koobideh wrap, a kebab, wrapped with a pickle spear, diced tomato, onion in lavash bread. Surprisingly the kebab was moist and juicy and better than Darya’s! Friend had similar compliments about the chicken kebab and other friend said «Eh» to the salmon kebab.
I don’t know, I just don’t love eating in lounges during lunch.

Came here just for the club, didn’t have any food.
It’s kinda a shame. the place is cute, clean, and nice. good couches, nice bar… the dancing ladies and their silhouettes were a nice touch.
what’s the problem then?
The place just wasn’t bumpin’…
No one was dancing really. just standing around. The few ppl who did start dancing didn’t really know how to dance that well. The age bracket was huge. youngin’s and oldies all trying to stand around together. Most of the people were hanging around outside in the outdoor patio that’s way too hot and humid. We were all kinda packed in like cattle.
DJ was playing a mix of trance, house and occasionally hip hop. Didn’t take any requests. The floor was dead and when my friend requested hip hop, he only said it comes on in about an hour. Too bad you can’t feel the crowd and play to what they want. he’d bust a hip hop tune every once in awhile which got the crowd to the floor, but then switched back to trance/​house and they scattered again.
We left to go somewhere else.

Giant Thursdays’ new home is Code.
This time around, Giant is deciding to do a free cover with RSVP the majority of the time (unless AvB or someone big is spinnin).
Grand Opening was a madhouse. If you got here after 10PM, you had no choice but to buy a bottle or know someone who works there or leave to go home. Bottles run you $ 240 which really is pretty good compared to Hollywood.
Free ample parking in the structure near by. Door staff isn’t friendly but they are definitely not rude either. After finding out my friend knew one of them, they were cool and very accomodating. (like most places, you gotta know people).
The venue is small. In a way it reminded me of Mood in Hollywood. Way smaller than Tentation which is unfortunate because if a big dj comes, wow, sardine city! Patio is the size of my purse, it’s hella small.
Drinks were typical price, Tokyo Tea & Cranberry/​Vodka ran $ 22. I was so drunk so I couldn’t even tell if it was strong. (Sorry!) The back bar didn’t carry Midori but the bartender was happy to oblige trying to make my drink the best he could.
Ladies, be alert because guys are beyond touchy here. You might have to regulate on some of them. Douchey guys, let’s just say the Aqua Di Gio and Ed Hardy attire flows through this place, nawmean?

I’m in between a 4 – 5 star and there are no decimals so five star it is because I had an awesome meal.
I came here in Wednesday night for my dad’s birthday and I was pleasantly surprised. I haven’t been to this place and it used to be Fury and you know how that is. Anyhoo, I am commenting on the restaurant experience because I didn’t even know that it was a nightclub sort of place.
When we arrived we were immediately seated and started with a bottle of wine. Our server was Andrew and the bus boys were on top of it the whole night. They were friendly, professional, and attentive. Even though it wasn’t that busy he made sure we were taken care of. I say that because it is easy in restaurants to forget about guests when it’s not crowded because servers are known creatures to wander away. George also made sure our experience was amazing. If you don’t know George I suggest you get to know him, he’s funny!
Our food was so good and, in my opinion, the prices were ridiculously cheap. I had the white fish with the beurre blanc but I had to sample from other people’s dishes, I mean really, I had to… quality control! The calamari was yummy as was the cheese plate. Not a lot of places offer cheese plates so we had to get it once we saw it on the menu. I wanted to get the lamb but I have been eating so much meat lately that I decided to be good. However, my brother ordered the Filet and my dad the short ribs so I had my share of four legged animal for the night. With dinner, we had more wine. At the end of the meal I couldn’t breathe. I like those nights, not the whole gluttony thing, but the thing were you can’t stop eating because you’re enjoying your food so much that you’re finally physically forced to stop because you might explode thing!
Then more wine. Then dessert! Oh, it was good. The chocolate crème brûlée, the poached pear, the lemon tart, the opera cake, the whatever else was put in front of me… Good meal.
I was too focused on my marathon meal so I didn’t really look around at the crowd. There was a mix of people out and they had a band playing Brazilian something, they were good, and some people were dancing. I didn’t see any disgruntled peeps out and about but I wasn’t looking, I was having too much fun of my own.

I don’t know what this place is. It’s nice… but what the hell?
Went on a Thursday– supposedly when there’s promoters there, so we were expecting something crackin. Bouncers and promoters were nice to us, not douchey at all– and as it should be since there was NO line. Got in (no cover) after filling in that guest list contact nonsense. Place was empty. Crowd was 30 – 35’ish. Not even like a sexy grown folk got it together 30. Instead, a 30 that’s kinda desperate, don’t know how to dance (to techno, my LORD, how do you do that wrong), and went out on Thursday night because that’s when they heard that all the young people come out.
Couldn’t find the hidden smoking patio so we left and went to iLounge instead. It’s that kind of place.

1.24.09:
Asshole: Do you have reservations?
Us: No (we call the birthday girl to double check)
Asshole: I can’t let you in, tonight is reservation night only. (Looks at each one of us up and down, checking us out)
Us: Our friends are already inside. I think we do have reservations.
Asshole: I’m sorry I can’t let you in.
Us: Why? our friends are right there. (pointing to the birthday girl and friends)
Asshole: You can’t go in. I can’t let you in .
Us: … (What the fuck, thinking to ourselves)
Birthday girl walks over.
Bday Girl: Excuse me, they are with me.
Asshole: Sorry they can’t come in.
Bday Girl (non-​asian): Why can’t they? They are here for my birthday, I have reservations at the bar.
Asshole:. .. . They can’t come in.
He seriously just did not want to let us in. I think maybe because we were the only asians standing there. He didn’t know what to say to us even with the birthday girl standing next to him except that we can’t come in. Freaking ASSHOLE!
Anyhow I didn’t think he wanted too many Asians coming in. The funny thing about it I think he was the manager and at the same time the host is suppose to be asking us if we have reservations not him. So the host came around and just said we could go in. I was about to just make a scene.
The food was alright a little too pricey for its taste. However I did find one thing that was worth it, their pizza. It was good. This place is more for an older crowd, mainly late 30’s — 40’s. Funky music but doable.
I couldn’t get over that guy’s attitude. I would never come here again. Not worth it.

Went on a Friday night, 3÷20÷09, for a friend’s birthday. We were a group of 20. No problems at all and we had a great experience. I’m a fan and I will be going back to try lunch and happy hour.
I’ve noticed some of the reviews take issue with how they were treated when trying to get in. We had no problems.
Dress code:
I wore jeans and a tank top and my husband wore a button down shirt with jeans and flip flops. Our friends were a little dressier and trendier. I saw guys in suits/​jackets and others in t-​shirts and jeans but not in a beach bar type way. Most people were tastefully dressed (dresses, trendy shirts for guys). Think Hollywood, but down a notch or two.
Food:
We had sushi rolls and filet skewers, as well as some apps. I recommend the rolls and the filet skewers, they were made well and tasty. Everything tasted pretty fresh. The hummus starter was exceptionally good. No surprises with the pricepoints. Not cheap but not outrageous — all relative, of course. Drinks were moderately strong. If you’re out for a good time, I’d recommend making it a double. I had mojitos and after a kind of light first round, I asked for a double and it was just right!
For 9 of us (they split the bill for the table), it was $ 650 before tip. I think we paid about $ 80 per person. With 3(ish) drinks and dinner, I thought it was fairly priced.
Service:
No complaints. The manager came over once or twice and was really nice. Our waiters were attentive and chipper, which isn’t easy to do with a party of 20. No problems at the front door either. Not that this should matter, but I feel compelled to say that our group was a «mixed» bunch of people and from what I gathered, no one felt like they were treated differently or unfairly. If anything, all of the staff that I interacted with were very nice.
Atmosphere:
Several larger groups were there for dinner. The vibe was nice. Seemed like a range of age groups but from what I saw, I’d say the crowd was predominantly in their late 20’s to late 30’s. Good energy. Great music. The dance floor was full, and when I left at about 1130, it was going off. Nice outdoor patio if you want to get air (albeit smokey!). I would go back if I were with a group that wanted to go dancing. I liked the mix of old school favorites, hip hop, pop, dance-​y music.
Location:
Near the SNA airport. Oddly placed near a bunch of corporate buildings but some restaurants nearby. Makes for plentiful and free parking though. Can’t go wrong with that.
I wavered between a 4 and 5 star rating. I usually save 5 stars for things that blow my mind, but this place was up there.

Code receives negative 5 stars!
I was out to have a good time and celebrate my friend’s 30^th birthday. My friends and I arrived to Code at about 10:15pm and there was a line, but it was short and manageable. Some other friends were already inside waiting for us.
The door man, this guy who supposedly works as security for executives and dignitaries, but who is a bouncer on the side, told us that we had to wait in line because he was only allowed to get a few people in at a time. My friends who were already inside told me the place was empty.
One of my friends was told he would not get in with the t-​shirt he was wearing so he ran to the car to change into a collared shirt and when he came back, the door guy looked at him and told him that he still wasn’t getting in. Meanwhile, other guys roll up in a similar t-​shirt and gets to walk right in. The whole scene was disgusting to me. I don’t even know what to compare it to. I mean, I’ve been to clubs in Hollywood that hand select their clientele, but this place really treated people like they were second class citizens.
Needless to say, my friends and I waited until after 11pm and had we not asked the door guy to be up front with us about whether or not we were going to get in, he would have continued to make us wait, FOR NOTHING. The guy finally caved and told my friend that no one was getting in unless they had bottle service or a reservation. We only waited in line for about an hour, there were others in line who had been waiting even longer. By this time, all of the other local clubs had lines and it was going to be impossible to get in anywhere else.
I will never go back to this place. First of all, there was a complete lack of diversity and the crowd was totally pretentious. I honestly could care less what you’re wearing or what car you roll up in or who you’re with. Be yourself and just have fun. This place left a bad taste in my mouth and made me sick to my stomach.
I think it’s time for some of us to look past the orange curtain, there is a whole other world out there, it’s too bad some people are too self-​absobed to know anything about it, because it’s beautiful and colorful and bright and they are totally missing out on it.

I’ll be honest. I went here last week and thought it was fun. I had been drinking pretty heavily most of the night so really, any place would have been fun. From what I do remember the place was never packed, or full. The dance floor was small and the guy girl ratio was 4:1, not in a good way.
Tried going here again last night. Got there at 9:45 with couple of friends. There was a bit of a line, just one couple standing out side so we got behind them. 20 minutes later, the line pretty big now and still no movement. The couple in front of us had left already. I, very politely, asked the guy how long the wait would be, his response «At this point, if you don’t have a reservation, you’re not getting in.»
We left, but being in the the week before and know what its like inside I can say, this is that place that makes people wait outside forever to make it seem like a cool place to be. Its not. The music is okay, the people are the typical newport crowd and drinks are 11 bucks a pop.
Do yourself a favor and skip this place.

OMFG.

Do you remember Hamburger Mary’s??? Well here it is new and improved and straight! ha ha! They redid the inside; the décor is nice, very posh. Lots of dark wood with blue lights. They have a big TV in the center of the bar that turns into half naked girls dancing behind a glass. (Not bad for you boys!)
We came here for a birthday party, dinner, drinks and a little dancing. Our party was a little big so some parts of the dinner were a little chaotic. But overall service was okay. The only problem I had was certain wines on the list they ran out of. It felt like everything I was ordering was gone! :(We ended ordering more cocktails than wine which I think there drinks could use a little more work.
The food was just okay, I had the Duo of Hudson Valley Foie Gras — sauteed foie gras with peach on brioche bun, riesling-​poached torchon of fruit chutney, vintage port reduction. I wish the foie gras with a little more seared.
My girlfriend next to me had the Crispy Muscovy Duck — leg confit, wild rice, market vegetables, in an orange ginger sauce. She gave me a bite the leg was a little dry. I understand that they are really new still so maybe the dishes will be more refined in the future?
Personally, my favorite part of the whole place is their DJ. He played some old school house that I haven’t heard in forever. But don’t worry you hip hop kids he added some of that in there for you too. Overall, great place for drinks and dancing not so sure about the whole dinner thing yet.
3 ½ Stars