Coral Reef or Trattoria Al Forno?

[DisCatz]

Hello all! This is my first post!!!! But I've been lurking and reading a lot of DR and TR's. My boyfriend and I are in the very early stages of planning my first trip to WDW!!!!!!! (like it is in the embryo stage, very new and will probably be Sept of 2017). We've been narrowing down my long long list of restaurants and have come to a cross roads. One of the days we are planning to go to Epcot and then boat or walk over to the Boardwalk to explore there at night. The question is, do we eat before we leave Epcot at Coral Reef? Or eat when we are in the Boardwalk area at Trattoria Al Forna? Eating at the Coral Reef next to a aquarium sounds awesome, but I've heard so so reviews. So this place would be more for the atmosphere. Trattoria Al Forna menu sounds delicious and we both love Italian. So I ask all you knowledgable DISers. What should we do?! Help a newb out. I look forward to talking and interacting with all of you now that I offically set up an account (once I figure out how this all works lol) and plan on starting a PTR when we are about a year out. Thank you in advance for all your advice!!!!!

 

[Docsknotinn]

If the menu and atmosphere at the Coral Reef appeal to you then by all means go there! The Coral reef has received mixed reviews for decades. People moan and complain about the prices but it's not like you can't see the menu before you go in. I can tell you from experience the kitchen in this place is freakin awesome. We've always enjoyed this but admittedly it's not quite as up-scale as it once was
If you opt for the Boardwalk I'd suggest the Flying Fish. The menu is interesting and it's got a nice vibe. The Orecchiette or the potato wrapped snapper are both worth the trip alone. FWIW the Boardwalk is an easy boat ride from Epcot so your choices here do not have to be exclusive based on location.

 

[Tasmen]

One thing to consider about Coral Reef is you may not get a seat next to the water wall. Last time we were there (and this could have changed by now), all those tables were set up as 4 tops. While most tables have a view of the aquarium, it isn't quite the same as sitting next to it.

 

[vettegirl]

I love the Coral Reef and had a fantastic meal there with my toddler back in March.