Coral Reef -- Let's have it

[goofy4tink]

I hope you get it.

I went to lunch there a couple of years ago - it was during free dining but now free dining is available a lot more than it used to be. I guess it's the presence of the fish tank, but it seems to be encouraged that kids treat the restaurant like a playground. There were kids running and screaming up and down the aisles, parents lifting the kids up to the tank to take a picture (the kids would then put their feet on the table by the tank - nobody was sitting there at the time but someone probably would have later), kids crowding around the tables to look at the tank, two boys throwing pizza at each other at the next table.

The restaurant's kind of like a cave - there's nowhere for the noise to go - so if you're there at a busy time it is going to be very loud in there. I think Coral Reef was envisioned as a "quieter" restaurant but that is not necessarily going to be the case.

The food wasn't too bad a couple of years ago, they had a really nice almond gelato dessert, but I don't have any idea what it's like now. I do know the entree I had is no longer on the menu.

I am not sure you will get quiet anywhere in Epcot, not even Bistro de Paris, which would be the first choice for a quiet meal.

Have to agree...100%. We have eaten at Coral Reef several times. The first time we ate there was incredible. We sat by the tank, at the end of the row. The only issue we had were kids shoving in behind us to get right next to the tank...that drove me nuts since they kept banging my chair and had me spilling my drink if I wasn't watching for them. Our food was terrific, the service was terrific. Yes, it was a bit noisy but not too bad.
Then, we went during free dining. OMG!! Completely different experience. The place was jammed. There were a ton of families with very young kids...babies really. And their older children were allowed to run freely through the restaurant, rolling around on floors, while mom and dad sat and had drinks. The noise level was deafening. The service was awful. Our server looked like he wanted to kill himself. He apologized for his slow service but nothing changed. The food was barely okay. It was so noisy and chaotic that we left without dessert...something I had been looking forward to.
The next time I went, it was better. My friend and I got a table by the tank...there was no free dining going on at that time (it was due to start the next week). It was a very pleasant experience.
Then, last summer we went as a family again, during the beginning of free dining again....booked it before free dining came out. We were seated in the upper most level, so noise was an issue...seems to just bounce off the walls and ceiling. BUT...we got there for a latish seating, so many families were no longer there. The food was good, the service was excellent. We have it booked for our Oct trip with friends.

 

[collegeprogram01]

We are going there in a few weeks...We never been there before and always wanted to eat there...We shall see!!!! The menu looks really nice!!!


How are the desserts?!

 

[OllieDannyandMe]

I adore Coral Reef.

I love the Mahi Mahi with jasmine rice and the creme brulee. Both dishes are outstanding! The portions are small, but the quality is excellent.

I also love the cool blue colors in the dining room and watching the sealife through the big picture window.

I wouldn't trade the experience! It is wonderful