coral reef

[tygerlilly27]

we have dinner reservations for coral reef on our first night at epcot. but after reading some not so great reviews on allears, just wondering how my fellow dis'ers felt about the place. i want to know the good, the bad and the ugly about coral reef. how was service? menu choices? atmosphere? thanks!

 

[lurkernj]

We ate here last September and thought it was one of the best meals out of our 11 day trip. I had the Mahi Mahi, DS14 had the catfish, DS11 had the steak and we were all very happy. Also had MIL and FIL with us, but I can't remember what they had, but everyone was very happy with the food, atmosphere, and service (I can't remember our server's name, but she was very professional and knowledgeable).

This is one of two places DS11 and I are going to repeat again this September.

 

[Mousemom]

We ate here two years ago-the food was great but the waiter we had was horrible. We ate there twice last year and both times the food was wonderful and our servers were great. I had the steak both times and loved it. My son had the pasta thought it was really good. For dessert we tried the Creme Brulee and the Chocolate Wave. It was really good. We will be eating here again in September. The restaurant is a big open area that can be kind of loud. The only thing that we did not like was how close we sat to others. The fish tank is really cool especially when the divers are in it. This is one of our favorite places to eat.

 

[clc053103]

We ate here during FD and before, not during FD. During FD it was a totally different experience- louder than loud, overcrowded, long wait for ADR, long lines for bathrooms, terrible service by CM who was clearly overwhelmed with the crowd. the food was fine- but overall, it would not be worth a second visit. WE will do it for lunch this year just so the kids can see the tanks, and because the menu actually looks a little more promising.

 

[karen l]

We've been there a few times & really enjoy it. We've had the steak, mahi mahi, chicken & enjoyed it all. Chocolate wave for dessert - yum!

 

[rie'smom]

We eat at Coral Reef on every trip. The food is delicious. My daughter and I are very finicky eaters but we always find something good on the menu. One of our favorites is the steak. I like the Sea and Land if I want an appetizer. My husband enjoyed the Grilled Pork Tenderloin, our daughter loved the Seared Chicken Breast, and our niece thought the Grilled Mahi Mahi was very good on our last trip.
I don't think we've had a bad meal at the Coral Reef.

 

[Dawn68PA]

Here's my review from November:

Off to dinner at Coral Reef we go. We are early and have to wait, but it's totally worth it. I must say, if you ever get to request a waiter, Tony is awesome! This guy is worth his weight in gold. He keeps on top of my high maintenance family and then some. He laughs with us, kids around with us and gives us tips on things in the park and in the tank. He brings DD’s friend refills of Coke by 2's. The kids kept asking for the pineapple out of my alcohol drink and he would play games with them to get it. Now keep in mind these are 17 & 19 year olds and he has them totally entertained. When we ordered dessert he brought them each a bonus plate of pineapple. What a guy. I stopped by the desk on the way out and asked them to tell the manager that we will come back because of Tony.

Oh yes, the food. DSonIL had the mahi mahi and it was delish. DD19 & I had the pork tenderloin and it was very yummy. DH had the steak. DD’s friend had the salmon, DD17 had the chicken. All of the food here was excellent. Another place I'd highly recommend and go to again. Tony is a bonus

 

[tygerlilly27]

thanks so much for the info. puts my mind at ease. before i was considering changing to somewhere else but i think i will keep our reservations. we will be goingthe week after free dining...does that change the way service goes?

 

[chipndales]

We've been to Coral Reef three times in three years. All three times were very enjoyable from service to food. We've had different items over the year but always found everyone very amicable and friendly.

 

[Steph9072]

We were at Coral Reef In 07' & loved it. Here is my review from then.

I ordered the Sea and Land for my appetizer. The sea part was 2 grilled shrimp with an amazing taste. They were cooked perfectly. Very tender. They were on a cucumber salad. The cucumbers were very refreshing. The land part was a bbq beef. All I can say is oh my goodness. The meat was so tender. The sauce was just sweet and spicy enough. This part was served on polenta. Which was so tasty. To be honest I wish I could have just had a bigger portion of the beef an polenta. Oh, both the shrimp and beef were on skewers. Dh orders the crab claw salad. He said it was very good. The claws were very sweet and yummy. He even liked the salad part. Big deal for him he is a thousand island and iceberg man. But he really loved this. His only complaint was that there was not enough claw meat. My dss has the shrimp cocktail. He loved them. Until he saw the seaweed under the cocktail sauce then he was done. Dh finished and said that they were good. Dd and ds had carrot and celery sticks and dip. She said they were the best she had ever had.
Dss and I had the NY Strip steak. Mine med-rare his medium. Both were cooked to perfection. The sauce was heavenly. This was hands down the best steak I have ever had. Very tender and flavorful. The au gratin potatoes were not good but were not bad. They were just different then what we are use to. The broccolini was cooked nicely not to slimy but with just a bit of a crunch left. I put way more cheese in mine. Dh had the Mahi-Mahi. He loved it. I tasted it and it was good not as good as my steak though. It had a ginger and teriyaki taste. We both had had couscous that you buy in the store by the rice. But the Mahi Mahiwas served on a bed of Israeli couscous. They were bigger pieces of grain and very good. Dd had the pizza she ate it all but the crust. Ds had the grilled chicken and ate every last bit. Both loved the fries.
Desserts I had the Citrus Creme Brulee & dh had the The Chocolate Wave. We shared both. The Creme Brulee was great. The citrus and berries made it taste lighter than it was. Very yummy. The Chocolate Wave was heaven on a plate. But there is no way I could have ate it all to rich. The kids all had the sundaes big hits.
I know that Coral Reef has gotten mixed reviews. But hands down this was our favorite meal the whole trip. From the moment we walked in the door until we left we were made to feel special. This will be a must do next trip


HTH

 

[dissybroad]

howdy! just avoid the lobster cake thing, tasted like iodine and the texture was soggy.

 

[beroh2253]

Been there 3 times in the last 3 years and the NY Strip steaks were always great.

 

[JadeDragon]

We eat there every trip... ate there twice back in February. Both times the food was excellent. (NY Strip! YUM!) The service was fantastic as well. We celebrate our anniversary there and just love the place.

 

[Melct]

I went about 2 years ago and the food was very good. I had some kind of shrimp and remember it being excellent. DH had steak and liked it as well. The service wasn't that great but the food made up for it.

mel

 

[bluejasmine]

We love COral Reef, its loud and service is slow, menu is limited but the food has consistently been good. Of course it has huge sentimental memories from my honeymoon, my DH cried when the waiter handed him the personalized menus and the diver came down with the personalized sign.. Ahh, wonderful wonderful meal, everyone clapped when we kissed and waiter came out with champagne..My DH still smiles when he talks about it. Too bad they dont do it anymore..Still I think everyone should try it atleast once and make a decision for themselves..

 

[ROEDISNEY]

Love Coral Reef. Good food ,nice atmosphere and an Awesome Aquarium.

 

[tygerlilly27]

thanks a ton!!! i love hearing that you all had positive things to say about coral reef.