Coral Reef or San Angel Inn?

[abooch]

Me and my GF are looking for somewhere "romantic" at Epcot.. I like the ambiance of the San Angel in...Right now we have adr at coral reef...what does everyone think..

 

[jazz0007]

Absolutely San Angel...just my humble opinion. Coral Reef...ugh.

 

[hoverpumpkin]

You will not believe this, but we are having the SAME dilemma! Ours is for a lunch ressie.

I've never been to Coral Reef before, but I HAVE been to San Angel. If you're going for romance, as far as I'm concerned SA has the best ambience on property. The pyramid & the volcano in the distance... it's just amazing. You won't regret it.

As for us, we will probably also choose SA as we want to drink around the world that day and Mexico is the best place to start.

 

[photobob]

Absolutely San Angel...just my humble opinion. Coral Reef...ugh.

Sorry but my experience was just the opposite, absolutely Coral Reef and San Angel...ugh.

 

[nmmom95]

Here's absolutely no help...I like them both. Seriously, either one is a good choice. I would check the menus and see which appeals to you more.

 

[chocovrdmicears]

We have eaten at both several times.

In terms of *romance and atmosphere* I would choose San Angel. In terms of food, I would choose Coral Reef.
We enjoyed the food at San Angel but loved our meals at Coral Reef. The service at San Angel was excellent, the service at Coral Reef was...

Not sure if I was any help.

 

[bellefromboston]

On atmosphere alone San Angel is more romantic. It has an absoultely lovely setting. The food, however, was gross when we went. Now we did go for dinner, so lunch may be different. I do not think we will return because when we went the food was that bad.

I really do enjoy the Coral Reef. Though not as romantic as san angel, the atmosphere is still very lovely and secluded. The food is fantastic which along with the unique atmosphere makes it an all around great experience. We look forward to going here again on our next trip.

So for atmosphere alone, San Angel, but for all around experience, Coral Reef.

Have a fantastic time!

 

[kidd_freeper]

Most romantic: Rose and Crown, IF you can get outdoor seating for the fireworks AND it doesn't rain. Having desert and drinks by the light of the fireworks is unbeatable.

However, San Angel is consistently the most romantic. Live music, the ambience, the food...you can't go wrong.

To me, Coral Reef is an ecology thing. Made for thinking, not romance. Unless the GF is big on being green, go San Angel.

 

[jdisnut]

I prefer Coral Reef overall, but San Angel wins if you're most concerned with a romantic atmosphere. Coral Reef's decor is wonderfully unique, but it's not particularly intimate. The food at San Angel is uneven, but the dining room is lovely and absolutely geared toward couples more than the average theme park restaurant.

 

[Belle & Ariel]

I keep wanting to try San Angel because it is so cute, but the fact it is never crowded when we go by on the boat ride, the terrible reviews, and the fact it is always available keeps me away. OTOH, Coral Reef books quickly and can be hard to get a ressie. We have eaten there several times and are always pleased.

 

[crazedprincess]

Why is the food so gross at San Angel?? I wanted to eat there next time we go but now I'm scared!

 

[Tara]

Why is the food so gross at San Angel?? I wanted to eat there next time we go but now I'm scared!

I've eaten there 7 or 8 times in the last 10 years and never had anything but a great experience.

 

[beroh2253]

Why is the food so gross at San Angel?? I wanted to eat there next time we go but now I'm scared!

Last year we, DW and I each had the filet and it was as tender as Le Cellier but with a little more Mexican spice, San Angle has been our first night restaurant the last 4 years, we also get ADR's for Coral Reef and have usually had a good NY Strip steak, well last year not as good but will try again this year. If I had to choose between the 2 maybe San Angle, but bring a flashlight to read the menu, nice dark atmosphere in there.

 

[evaready51]

Have a hard time seeing the fish swimming around and then looking at them on your plate. Go for the Mexican

 

[SuzieN]

I've never been to the Coral Reef but I hear that it's LOUD in there - so not exactly romantic. San Angel Inn, on the other hand, IS romantic and fantastic in every way!! We had one of our best meals there on our last trip, everything was delicious, from appetizers to desserts!!San Angel Inn is #1 on my list of Epcot restaurants!!!

 

[AuroraMeansDawn]

Why is the food so gross at San Angel?? I wanted to eat there next time we go but now I'm scared!

No need to be scared. You just need to be aware it's traditional Mexican cooking, not the "Tex Mex" or Americanized version of cuisine that many people think of when they think mexican food.

I have to admit our family is a split decision on Coral Reef. I happen to enjoy it very much but I did find it to be a bit loud. It echos in there something awful. My husband however doesn't care for it. He thinks there is a musty smell in there that I can't smell but he doesn't enjoy it.

 

[kidd_freeper]

Why is the food so gross at San Angel?? I wanted to eat there next time we go but now I'm scared!

It is not TexMex. People who consider it gross either:
1) Expect Taco Bell and get otherwise.
2) Are from a border state and expect it to be like their favorite local place
3) Occasionally get a cold plate and don't bother to ask

I love the food there

 

[landshark]

Coral Reef is not romantic as far as I'm concerned. We went to both this past trip and Coral Reef is one restaurant I don't care to ever go back to. Our entrees were overly salty and I can do without the giant fish tank. Even our server seemed ticked off my DBF (it was his birthday even) wanted to sit down near the tank. He sat us down there, but the table of 2 no more than 2-3 ft. from us got better service from him than we did. I agree with a previous poster's husband--there is an odd smell to the restaurant and it's definitely not coming from the kitchen. I couldn't even describe it but I think musty is pretty spot on.

San Angel, on the other hand, is now one of my favorites. Wonderful atmosphere, great food, and all the better if it's not crowded (may make it easier to request a table by the railing in front of the pyramid). The food is good and I don't understand how so many people think it's "gross", could easily be flavors/ingredients people are not used to or just the expectation that it's Tex Mex. If your food is cold, tell somebody--this applies to any restaurant. Our experience was overall great so I really don't know.

 

[BLTLDZ]

We LOVE San ANgel.
Coral Reef, not so much. It was just "ok".

 

[poeticdiabetic]

There's good and bad with both places, but I think that Coral Reef is the "most romantic" between the two choices. Here's why:

Both San Angel and Coral Reef can get loud; but if you eat early, you can have less of a noise at Coral Reef. That isn't the case at San Angel because there's a steady stream of visitors that comes to ride the ride.

Here's another thing: At San Angel Inn, the tables are really close together. You're REALLY close to other patrons. Uncomfortably close (IMO).

Coral Reef feels normal.

But San Angel is dark and pretty. Coral Reef has this giant fish tank. It's nice, but San Angel is pretty.

Can I say this? Because there's kids all around and it's the typical family vacation atmosphere, it's difficult to have a "Romantic" dinner. And if it is, you may want to go outside of the DDP restaurants. Victoria and Albert's may be the "Most Romantic" because it's really geared towards adults. Go and spend that big grip of money and get the Chef's Table Dinner.

But for DDP dinners? It's pretty dark and campy at Sci-Fi Dine-In Theatre. You're in the car, you're watching previews of the funniest, weirdest B and C movies of the 50s. It can be romantic, with some imagination.