Hidden in plain sight on a busy corner of Uptown Harrisburg, the restaurant – at least from the outside - can pass for an office or a residence. Once you step inside, you’re immersed in a vibe of cultural creativity and fine cuisine. Co-owners Sachiko Baez (Executive Chef) and Jameson Christopher (Tradesman-turned-restauranteur) took pride in creating a space that’s warm, unique, and bright. Art that covers the walls in a gallery-like presentation features work from local Black artists. Dozens of wine bottles are displayed to lean into an intimate, jazz bar feel. Have a cocktail at the bar area in the front. Enjoy a cozy meal in the main dining area. Gather with friends and family in larger groups in the upstairs lounge area. No matter the seating, your hosts will make you feel at home.
Address: 2013 N 6th St, Harrisburg, PA 17102
Coda Rouge is open for breakfast and brunch, with a menu inspired by a variety of influences. Sachiko’s biggest influence was her Japanese grandmother. She’s also influenced by a mix of African American, Mexican, and Spanish heritage.
One of Baez’s favorite dishes is a perfect example of blending influences into one dish. The Omu*rice Omelette features New York Strip steak, Nishiki Rice, Roasted Onions, English Peas, and Tomato Jam.
The tasty desserts are made by Christopher’s mother. Baez incorporates them into breakfast with dishes like Blueberry Cheesecake French Toast and Pecan Pound Cake.
For now, the menu features breakfast and brunch with a mix of core dishes plus seasonal offerings. Watch the Coda Rouge social platforms for news about special pop-up dinners. Baez creates a four-course pre-set meal about once a month to showcase more of her fine dining flair. The pop-ups are a bridge of sorts to a full dinner schedule, so stay tuned for news on dinner hours!
Sachiko Baez didn’t play “house” when she was young. It was always “restaurant.” Before she was old enough to cook, she’d pretend to take orders at family gatherings. She knew early on that she wanted to be a chef and to own her own restaurant.
After culinary school at Le Cordon Bleu in Georgia, Baez landed an internship with Wolfgang Puck Catering. That led to catering mega-events like the Oscars, Emmy Awards, movie premiers, and more. Baez worked at (and opened!) several of the culinary icon’s restaurants across the country and became the first African American female Chef in Puck’s Fine Dining West Coast Region.
Today, Baez is back in the city where she was born, living out the dream of ownership and creating delicious dishes at Coda Rouge.
The chef can’t always be in the kitchen, right? Baez loves coasters and you might find her in line for Hersheypark’s Jolly Rancher Remix or Candymonium. Both Baez and Christopher love to eat at Home 231 - another favorite brunch spot in the city – and Crawdaddy’s, a local spot owned by Baez’s uncle and the place where the two had their chance meeting that led to what is now Coda Rouge.
A not-so-hidden aspect of this hidden gem is a towering mural dedicated to Christopher’s grandfather, central PA native Charles Petty Sr. Petty was one of the nation’s first Black aviators, flying with the 332nd Fighter Group of the Tuskegee Airmen. The Tuskegee Airmen or “Red Tails,” were volunteer African American World War II military pilots. While the mural preceded the restaurant, it served as inspiration for the restaurant’s name. Coda (Italian for “Tail,”) and Rouge (French for “Red,”) symbolize both the historic meaning of the mural and the fusion of different cultural influences for the cuisine.
About the artist: The Tuskegee Airmen mural was created by Harrisburg muralist Brian “King Prolifik” Hickman. Hickman has painted several murals across the Capital City and created artwork inside the restaurant as well. As he painted “Tuskegee,” local youth would ask about the man in the mural and learn about the history of the airmen.
Baez and Christopher share a passion for inspiring and mentoring the community’s youth. From hosting inner city youth groups to working with local culinary and vo-tech schools, the co-owners say they want to encourage young people to educate themselves and chase their goals. “Never take ‘no,” says Christopher. Adds Baez, “You can come from anywhere, any experience, any background and create your dream. Just act on it and have faith that you’ll be able to get there.”
Co-owner Jameson Christopher needed office space to run his renovation business. The building at 2013 N. 6th Street in 2018 “would be fine,” he said. It would turn out to be so much more. An office expanded into a private cigar club. A commercial kitchen space was renovated to give his mother a place to bake. He had never considered opening a restaurant – until he met Baez.
Christopher was eating at a local restaurant when he loved his food so much that he asked to meet the chef. The chef? Sachiko Baez. She told him she wanted to own her own restaurant. He told her that he had a commercial kitchen. Over the next year they’d work together on their new shared vision of upscale dining in Harrisburg. She built the menu, leaning on her years of culinary experience. He built the “place,” leaning on his life’s love of working with his hands.
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