Coral Reef or Cape May dinner

[goofy4tink]

Have eaten at both...Cape May once, Coral Reef twice. Our first time at Coral Reef was absolutely incredible...everything was perfect...great food, wonderful service. The second time?? Not nearly as wonderful. But, I chalk that up to free dining going on. The restaurant was filled with families, later in the evening. There were very young babies there, screaming. There were toddlers throwing food. There were kids running around while Mom and Dad lingered over their drinks and dessert. We could barely hear our server, who in fact, looked really shell-shocked. The food was fine, no problem with that. But there was no way to carry on a conversation...we left without dessert, which we had been really looking forward to. I do have Coral Reef booked for my CP pkg in Dec though.
Cape May buffet??? We're from Mass and have a lot of terrific seafood places within an hour or so drive. So, we get a bit picky about seafood. I'm not a big lover of seafood, but dh is. He just loves it, so was thrilled when I told him I had booked Cape May for dinner. Well.....he hasn't asked to go back, not once. The food was mediocre at best. We watched one guy go back to the buffet so many times we lost count. I have never seen anyone eat that many clams and mussels...just incredible. People were shoving and pushing others out of the way, it was noisy and chaotic. Not our cup of tea.

 

[Hazzard101]

I just read a thread that was updated a few days ago(actually started earlier this year, but posted in again this week), verifying that yes, the crab legs are back to stay, a permanent on the seafood buffet!! This was since May and they said that the CM at that time said they had been testing them and that there would be no crab crackers available on the table until they decided if the crab was a permanent item. Well, now there are crab crackers on all the tables and they are definitely back to stay !

I am glad people read my posts, as Minniekins said, I was there for dinner last week and they had added crablegs to the menu. I have eaten at cape may over six times in the past year,last week being the last time. I have never been disappointed. the quality of the food is superior and I have never pushed or shoved in line. They have a prime rib carving station, ribs, pizza, sausage and peppers, an entire salad section. The mashed potatoes and boiled baby reds are out of this world. Corn on the cob, there is always either a baked fish or a fried fish done fresh depending on the day. the desert bar has a huge variety of items. I would Highly recommend Cape may to anyone who loves seafood, and to anyone that loves food period. My DW does not like clams or muscles but she always finds enough to eat and loves the newly added crab legs. I dream of going back to Cape May and sometimes go twice in one trip.Enjoy your trip whatever you decide.

 

[cropper]

Why not choose both? That way you have a basis for comparison.

We have 7 TS meals and they are all planned based on specific requirements from the family....
DD10 has now requested twice to go back to Garden Grill (Ok, but not my fav but I am giving in this time)
DD5 loves Whispering Canyon
Both have requested Crystal Palace
I like Ohana
We are going to try breakfast at Norway for the first time.
Meeting some friends at Teppan Edo for a new experience.

Everyone has agreed we can give up Coral Reef for the crab legs...if they have the crab legs! I love the atmosphere at Coral Reef but love crab legs as well. Wasn't too impressed with Cape May atmosphere the one time we have eaten there.

 

[cropper]

I just read a thread that was updated a few days ago(actually started earlier this year, but posted in again this week), verifying that yes, the crab legs are back to stay, a permanent on the seafood buffet!! This was since May and they said that the CM at that time said they had been testing them and that there would be no crab crackers available on the table until they decided if the crab was a permanent item. Well, now there are crab crackers on all the tables and they are definitely back to stay !

I did see that but have had mixed answers as to if they were there or not within the last few weeks.

 

[Minniekins]

I am glad people read my posts, as Minniekins said, I was there for dinner last week and they had added crablegs to the menu. I have eaten at cape may over six times in the past year,last week being the last time. I have never been disappointed. the quality of the food is superior and I have never pushed or shoved in line. They have a prime rib carving station, ribs, pizza, sausage and peppers, an entire salad section. The mashed potatoes and boiled baby reds are out of this world. Corn on the cob, there is always either a baked fish or a fried fish done fresh depending on the day. the desert bar has a huge variety of items. I would Highly recommend Cape may to anyone who loves seafood, and to anyone that loves food period. My DW does not like clams or muscles but she always finds enough to eat and loves the newly added crab legs. I dream of going back to Cape May and sometimes go twice in one trip.Enjoy your trip whatever you decide.

Not to hijack, but yes I did read your posts about Cape May! Afterwards I decided I had to make an ADR there and I can't wait!! I expect they will have the crab legs there, but if they don't it sounds like the rest of the food is very yummy, too! Hope you don't mind that I relayed the info I read in your posts, just wanted to pass along the good news on that crab legs!

To get back to Cape vs Coral, we went to CR last time and we did enjoy it. DD19 loved the chicken, I had the NY strip steak and it was very good. I was surprised that they didn't have much to choose for as far as seafood goes. I have read lots of good reports on the Mahi mahi. As I said above, I'm going to try Cape May this time, not sure yet if we can fit in CR, but we did have a good experience there.

 

[bamagirl@hrt]

anyone know about the crab legs?

We ate there last Thursday evening and they had crab legs on the buffet. And they were delicious! It was our first time to have dinner at Cape May and it was one of our favorite meals of the week. (Second only to Le Cellier) The clam chowder was fabulous! I wish I had a bowl of it now!! The caesar salad was very fresh and delish. The fruit salad had a hint of mint in it. There was a wonderful fried fish, as well as chilled peel & eat shrimp. There were non-seafood options, but I didn't try those. I don't eat mussels, so I can't comment about those, other than I saw a lot of buckets of them pass by. The desserts there are also a highlight - everything except the flan is miniature. I liked that I could try several different things without being completely stuffed. The Oreo bon bons were tops!

We ate at Coral Reef three years ago & I won't go back. My appetizer looked like canned cat food. I tasted like what I would think cat food would taste like. It was awful. The only redeeming quality of that meal was the wave dessert. It was neat sitting by the aquarium, but I'd rather have good food.

 

[Hazzard101]

Not to hijack, but yes I did read your posts about Cape May! Afterwards I decided I had to make an ADR there and I can't wait!! I expect they will have the crab legs there, but if they don't it sounds like the rest of the food is very yummy, too! Hope you don't mind that I relayed the info I read in your posts, just wanted to pass along the good news on that crab legs!

To get back to Cape vs Coral, we went to CR last time and we did enjoy it. DD19 loved the chicken, I had the NY strip steak and it was very good. I was surprised that they didn't have much to choose for as far as seafood goes. I have read lots of good reports on the Mahi mahi. As I said above, I'm going to try Cape May this time, not sure yet if we can fit in CR, but we did have a good experience there.

I am thrilled that my info made a difference. I love Cape May and have never had a bad experience there. It is also a place that if you show up around 5:30 they can usually seat you without a reservation. I was really excited when I saw someone quoting my post, call me crazy it just made my day. And to the previous poster, My info on the crab legs was from last week Wednesday if I am not mistaken. The legs are the best and , I decided to forego the deserts for another bowl of Caesar salad, it was that good. MMMMMMMmmmmmm Cape May

 

[Minniekins]

I am thrilled that my info made a difference. I love Cape May and have never had a bad experience there. It is also a place that if you show up around 5:30 they can usually seat you without a reservation. I was really excited when I saw someone quoting my post, call me crazy it just made my day. And to the previous poster, My info on the crab legs was from last week Wednesday if I am not mistaken. The legs are the best and , I decided to forego the deserts for another bowl of Caesar salad, it was that good. MMMMMMMmmmmmm Cape May

I have to say if something I said made a difference to somebody or helped someone somehow with their trip, I, too, would be thrilled, so I don't thing you are crazy at all, lol! I'd be shocked too cause I don't think I say anything of much importance, but on the other hand, who knows what someone else will find value in when we relay our experiences here? Pretty awesome actually! So, thanks for sharing your trip info, that's what makes this place so cool!

Also glad to hear that sometimes when you show up earlier, you might get in a bit earlier. I made our ressie at 5:30, but wish I'd made it at 5 instead but that's not available anymore. I'm hoping if we go a bit early we might get seated earlier. Never eat dinner this early ever, usually do a late seating, but want to get back to MK for a couple hours that night! Sure makes me hungry reading this thread, lol!

Btw, anyone know how do you find out what the hours are on a restaurant, when they open for the meals they serve and when they close, etc?

 

[Hazzard101]

I have to say if something I said made a difference to somebody or helped someone somehow with their trip, I, too, would be thrilled, so I don't thing you are crazy at all, lol! I'd be shocked too cause I don't think I say anything of much importance, but on the other hand, who knows what someone else will find value in when we relay our experiences here? Pretty awesome actually! So, thanks for sharing your trip info, that's what makes this place so cool!

Also glad to hear that sometimes when you show up earlier, you might get in a bit earlier. I made our ressie at 5:30, but wish I'd made it at 5 instead but that's not available anymore. I'm hoping if we go a bit early we might get seated earlier. Never eat dinner this early ever, usually do a late seating, but want to get back to MK for a couple hours that night! Sure makes me hungry reading this thread, lol!

Btw, anyone know how do you find out what the hours are on a restaurant, when they open for the meals they serve and when they close, etc?

I can't tell you about other places but I know Cape May dinner starts at 5:30. that's why you could not get ressies for 5:00 I am sorry if I said 5:00 in other posts.