Coral Reef, any recent visitors?? thoughts?? Please help me decide

[ilovegrumpy]

I have an ADR set for Coral Reef for our trip in November, however, I am really apprehensive about it. I have mostly seen bad reviews on it. I scheduled a dinner ADR here because DH loves watching fish swim in the tanks (we have a 75 gallon fish tank in our living room), but am REALLY worried about the food.

Has anyone been there recently? What did you think of the food? Should I just make an ADR somewhere else. We are having lunch at Via Napoli that day.

Please help!!!!

 

[MylilTink]

Unfortunately, my opinion isn't going to be in your favor.

We visited nearly a year ago, so hopefully others can share any changes since our visit, but our dinner at Coral Reef was the worst on the whole trip. The food lacked flavor and our server seemed to have forgotten us.

We were really dissapointef in our experience & we made the reservation with no expectations (based on what we read on the boards); however, we do not plan on ever returning.


Now, just to add, we had lunch at Le Cellier the same day and our experience there may have spoiled us as it was one of the best meals and service we had on our entire trip. And, we can't wait to go back!

 

[Schoolbread]

I have eaten at Coral Reef twice with about the same results......just ok.

The first time was in 05, and we had dinner there. The view is really cool but it was SO INCREDIBLY loud in there. Wasn't the restaurant's fault, but the table next to us had screaming kids throwing food and adults who were completely drunk and yelling too. It was horrible. That might have impacted what we thought of the food so we figured we'd try again sometime.

Fast forward to last December (we were celebrating my dad's 80th). I knew my dad would love the view, so we tried again, this time for a late lunch. Time wise, it was excellent. There were many tables available. We were in the round booths near, but not on, the glass. This was a great spot as we could see all of the fish without kids crawling on us to get to the glass (yes, they do that....).

The food was pretty good. Nothing totally exciting, but not great. I got the same dish on purpose (the NY strip). Mine was good, but my dad's was full of gristle. Mom had the roasted beet salad which was excellent. We came out of there thinking Coral Reef had redeemed itself. However, as the days went on (they were there 15 days; I was there for 9), CR kept tumbling down our list. In the end, it was 2nd to last. Again, not that it was bad--just other places were better.

Going back in a few weeks and seriously thought about trying again. Going with my son as a mom-n-son trip and he's never been to CR. He wants to try it and loves seafood. I keep checking the dining reservations and see that spots are available at CR, but I don't want to give up another ADR for it.

Sorry to be the bearer of "eh" news. It's not terrible--just not great.

 

[Troystu]

I have to agree with other posts. Food not that great, we were there a year ago with a party of 6, menu was small, none of us were impressed with food.
If you go, you go for the atmosphere of the aquarium, not the food. It is one big room, not much privacy, and lots of kids, I was surprised at that for a seafood restaurant. If you want great food, I agree with LeCellier Steakhouse in Canada at Epcot.

 

[ilovegrumpy]

thanks for the advice and info..I knew I could count on my fellow DISers..we have a Le Cellier scheduled for earlier in the week for lunch and Rose & Crown for dinner the same day. Maybe we should walk over to Yatch & Beach or Boardwalk instead of Coral Reef...

 

[npcougar]

Food was ok for us. We were put next to the tank which was awesome but if we weren't next to the tank, we would have be disappointed.

 

[JessiLynn015]

I've been twice in the past year, with the most recent trip in May. It was just as bad as it was the first time. The only reason we went again in May was because of our nephews. We would have (and should have) skipped it.

 

[Kerriann]

Disclaimer that I am not a very picky person when it comes to food

We went 2 weeks ago, party of 11 when 5 children 7 and under. I thought it was okay. My food was actually delicious (lobster ravioli, chocolate wave for dessert). I don't think my mom cared too much for her salmon, but everyone else seemed okay with what they got. My husband thought his portion size was too small. The kids meals were good.

Our server kinda stunk Took him a loooong time to get things, come back, bring the check, etc. When you have that many small kids with you, you have to move along!

 

[DisneyFamily123]

I have an ADR set for Coral Reef for our trip in November, however, I am really apprehensive about it. I have mostly seen bad reviews on it......Has anyone been there recently? What did you think of the food? ..............

Not recent, but we enjoyed Coral Reef in Dec. 2010. Food was good.... we liked being up against the aquarium window. Steak was very good. Definitely going back again next trip. I'd request it and be willing to wait. If I remember right, all or most of those tables were for 4 or less people.

This link to our review has lots of pictures and a video of the aquarium. Enjoy.Our Review of Coral Reef

 

[AugustDisney]

The food was pretty good. Nothing totally exciting, but not great. I got the same dish on purpose (the NY strip). Mine was good, but my dad's was full of gristle. Mom had the roasted beet salad which was excellent. We came out of there thinking Coral Reef had redeemed itself. However, as the days went on (they were there 15 days; I was there for 9), CR kept tumbling down our list. In the end, it was 2nd to last. Again, not that it was bad--just other places were better.

Sorry to be the bearer of "eh" news. It's not terrible--just not great.

+1. This is exactly what I feel. The food was decent (I got a mahi mahi dish and though it was fine, it turns out I'm not a big fan of mahi mahi). Dessert and appetizer were great. Service was good. Nice view of the tank from the second tier where we sat. Nothing is wrong with Coral Reef exactly, except that when we went through the list of the places we went to it was certainly not in the top. I don't regret doing it, but I doubt it will be on our list for next time, or even the time after next. Its one of those once every few trips kind of places...

 

[canopynut66]

I have an ADR set for Coral Reef for our trip in November, however, I am really apprehensive about it. I have mostly seen bad reviews on it. I scheduled a dinner ADR here because DH loves watching fish swim in the tanks (we have a 75 gallon fish tank in our living room), but am REALLY worried about the food.

Has anyone been there recently? What did you think of the food? Should I just make an ADR somewhere else. We are having lunch at Via Napoli that day.

Please help!!!!

Sorry but food was very disapointing there not sure why but Chef Mickeys was as well three years ago...must be the managers is all I know...

 

[I Run Long]

Well we've eaten there twice with the most recent time being last Sept. I have to say I've never had a bad meal nor a bad server. My whole family really enjoyed it. It is still on our list of restaurants to visit every time we go. I have to admit that I chose it the first time for my kids because of the aquarium and it didn't disappoint.

Now Le Cellier . . . . . it was just "meh". I've never had more indifferent servers. Could it be because we are fellow Cdns? Who knows. That being said if you want to check out Le Cellier then by all means go. For the same reason if your DH loves watching fish tanks, then go. I'm sure he will love CR.