Afraid of Coral Reef Review

[hill6]

Just read a review of Coral Reef that was posted on wdwinfo and I am afraid to eat there. The meal that I was going to eat for lunch (lobster salad, greens and lobster bisque) got a horrid review. It was compared to Tuna Salad with the bisque as just ok.

Has anyone ordered this? What did they think of it? Help!!!

 

[GraceLuvsWDW]

I too am afraid of the negative reviews of Coral Reef. That's why I don't go there. Only the people who share the same general opinions on places make me think it's probably not that great. But you'll get every opinion there is on these boards so make sure the review is from a trusted reviewer.

 

[hmillerbarilla]

I was scared of Coral Reef until we finally tried it last September. I thought it was excellent. I ordered the catfish and my DH had the pork chop. My DH also had the bisque and thought it was good. I know I didn't have the lobster salad that you are mentioning, but the bread was good, and the service was fine.

There are bad & good reviews for every restaurant on here. Try it to see what you think! I thought Coral Reef was quite good. Enjoy!

 

[Lynn5700]

I think you should try it for yourself We love it there. I highly recommend the steack if you want to try a delicious steak.

I don't worry about negative reviews because we are all different and have different tastes.

I think Hollywood and Vine is not the best place but I see a lot of people on here who love it.

 

[Pakey]

You will find as many fans of this place as you will those who hate it. We've eaten at Coral Reef enough times that I believe I've had everything on the menu; we always take newbies here for the novelty. And it's usually one of the least favorite places for everyone but they all like the tank.

My biggest complaint about the food is that it's very overseasoned. Fish/seafood has such delicate flavors and CR puts tons of sauce on everything so that you can only taste the sauces. I think the bisque is one of the worst dishes there but that's only my opinion.

Trust me, if Coral Reef were that horrible, it would be easy to get a reservation there. And you'll find this place is always packed.

 

[JCMHutch]

Even though I don't eat seafood my husband and I went to the Coral Reef in March. I had read the reviews and would have to disagree with them. I just got the pasta dish but it was great. My husband loved the catfish. The divers were in the tank when we went and it was fun to see them swimming around. They even had fun playing with the kids seated by the windows. We will definitely be going back there on a future trip.

 

[paintnolish]

The only trusted reviewer is someone I know personaly, not a stranger! Also, like a PP said, if it were that terrrible, ADRs would be much easier to get! We are going for our 3rd time dining there and obviously our previous dinners have been great! I've never had the salad, but the lobter bisque was really good.
Anyway, I suggest you try it for yourself!

 

[keith-atl]

Just read a review of Coral Reef that was posted on wdwinfo and I am afraid to eat there. The meal that I was going to eat for lunch (lobster salad, greens and lobster bisque) got a horrid review. It was compared to Tuna Salad with the bisque as just ok.

Has anyone ordered this? What did they think of it? Help!!!

We ate there a few years ago for dinner and we thought it was just horrible, our food wasn't even hot when it came out. We had a great seat but overall we would probably not eat there again.

Take it for what it is, I hear good reviews too. So we might have just hit a bad night, but we won't go back anytime soon.

 

[G's mommy]

We ate there for lunch one trip and my dh did get the lobster salad. Yes, it is like a tuna salad or seafood salad that is mixed with mayo and served on a bed of lettuce. Not that good and not enough food for a man for sure. I always get the blackened catfish or at dinner, I get the steak. It is good. We ate there last summer for my son's 12th birthday dinner and some had the mahi mahi and some had the steak. The steak was the better of the two dishes. The chocolate wave dessert is very yummy.

 

[catne]

I think the reviewers had an entirely different experience and/or expectations. We had lunch there in January 2009 and thought it was very good -- DH enjoyed the lobster bisque for his appetizer (on the deluxe dining); I had the surf/turf appetizer. My only complaint about my appetizer was that it was very small - definitely an app for one-but it tasted very good. DH had the mahi-mahi and I had the grilled tilapia for entrees; he had the Bailey's/Jack Daniels Mousse and I had the Creme Brulee for dessert. We both enjoyed our meals very much. It's pricey if you're paying cash, though, and the line really gets backed up for later lunches -- we checked in at 12 noon for a 12:10 ADR, and waited about 15 minutes (so 5 minutes after our ADR we were seated.) There was only about 20 people waiting when we were seated. But when we were leaving at around 1:30, you could hardly walk through the waiting area (which is quite a large area) and there was also quite a lot of people waiting outside, too...so I'm sure they had much longer than 15 minute waiting time. But then Coral Reef is kind of like Le Cellier in that it's not a very large place & it's very popular.

 

[drcandon]

Opinions are just that opinions..not hard facts...

All I can say is I dislike sea food - fish is not my big deal, however DW wanted to try it. I saw a steak on the menu that I thought would be okay so I made ADR's

We went during one of the very busy times so I expected the worse...

We got one of the best meals and experiences we have had on Disney thus far...And yes I had the "catch of the day", and even though fish and I are an estranged couple, I really enjoyed it. DW loved it.

So much so, the next Disney trip, beside Le Cellier, this is the second ADR we will try to book...

And what can I say of the scenery..watching the huge sea water tank, fish and the enthusiastic divers was an experience..

 

[Inkmahm]

Just read a review of Coral Reef that was posted on wdwinfo and I am afraid to eat there. The meal that I was going to eat for lunch (lobster salad, greens and lobster bisque) got a horrid review. It was compared to Tuna Salad with the bisque as just ok.

Has anyone ordered this? What did they think of it? Help!!!

I had the lobster salad for lunch a couple years ago. It was okay, a little spicy for me. The lobster bisque though comes in a tiny tiny cup, NOT a normal cup of soup size cup. It was a few swallows of soup at most, just a "taste" but not more than that.

I still like eating there but I order the chicken and spaetzle.

 

[MollyMoo]

Earlier posters are correct ... everyone goes into a dining experience with different expectations and comes out with different opinions of the experience. I love the Coral Reef and have enjoyed the food, too. It is a lovely cool, calm and relaxing break from the heat and the crowds of the park. Watching the fish in the tank is as relaxing as meditation and I always go back outside feeling relaxed and renewed ... we usually go for a late lunch. Remember that it is only a meal!

 

[JoePa4Ever]

We love Coral Reef - I always get the steak which is excellent! We've always had great food and enjoy the atmosphere with the aquarium view.

 

[wezee]

We went for lunch last Sept. We had an 11:30am ressie, but could not get through the door to check in. Most of the people blocking the door did not have reservations, but were just inquiring on availability. DH had the steak, which he liked. I had the lobster salad and as others have said......very small portions(Barely two swallows of soup) and nothing to write home about. Our server was very business like...never even smiled the whole time.
It was very noisey.

I actually requested a seat away from the tank...but got seated up next to it, anyways. We had several children crawling on the back of our chairs trying to get up close to the tank.

I'll never say never.....but we are not planning on returning to CR this Oct.

 

[hill6]

Thanks everyone. I have to keep the reservation because of DD loving Cory and Topanga going there on Boy Meets World. That is her request for a meal when we are there.

I don't eat steak so that is out. I may have to rethink what I want to eat there.

 

[MelissaFromRI]

We've eaten at the Coral Reef 3 times , a few years apart each time and I can honestly say that we've never had a good meal there

 

[rodkenrich]

,

 

[Luv2Roam]

We ate there for lunch around a month ago and we all loved it! I would return in a heartbeat!

 

[beroh2253]

Went there 3 times in the last 2 years and the NY Strip is DW and My favorite steak in the park, ok tied with the Filet at Le Cellier. You got to give it at least 1 try.