Dan and Jackie at Coral Reef Epcot

[danandjackie]

This Restaurant is very similar in style and ambience to the Sharks Underwater Grill at Sea World. What does make a huge difference to the atmosphere here was the extra attention and information we recieved from the CM who explained a lot about the tank, the fish and the most recent additions to the tank.

The Restaurant is once again rather dark to give a good view into the tanks and is decorated in a sort of Gaudi, Barcelona Mosaic style.

As well as a menu you are also given an information sheet to help you identify the fish in the tank.

Jackie ordered Blue Crabcakes for a starter which was served on a bed of spiced crushed Parsnips, the amount of spice was ideal not overpowering the delicate crab.


Danny had the Clam Chowder which was again nicely spiced and most importantly full of easily identifiable pieces of seafood and not just a grey soup.

Jackie for the main course chose the Cornish Baby Hen which was perfectly cooked and moist, this came on a bed of mashed potatoes with a quite strong redcurrent jus, there was just slightly too much of this quite strong sauce on the dish.

Danny chose the CMs recommendation of the blackened Catfish, this was out of this world and the blackening process is something I will be looking into applying to my own cooking. It gives a light crunch to the outside of the fillet of fish with just a little bite of Southern spices. It was Served on a bed of Grits which were a perfect match to this dish along with spicy tomatoes and a balsamic dressing that went great with both the toms and the grits.

We did not have a desert here as our Candlelight Package was at 6.00pm.
We washed it all down with a lovely bottle of Californian 2003 Zinfandel though from the Sonoma area rather than Napa. This was perfect for both dishes as the wine itself has a peppery finish and was nicely warming for what was a cold day.

Total Cost was $108.00 inc tip
Overall 8.5 out of 10

 

[florida sun]

Excellent

Sue

 

[Miffy2003]

Now that looks and sounds absolutely delicious!

 

[SusanEllen]

Jackie and Dan,
All of your reports so far have been of restaurants on my favorites list, so pure joy to read. If you aren't professional food columnists--why not? If you are, I'll subscribe.

FYI, the chef at Coral Reef loves compliments and if circumstances permit will actually come out of the kitchen to greet a happy diner. Any recipe I've ever asked for there has been cheerfully supplied. Once, because they didn't have it on hand, the restaurant mailed a recipe to my home.

ps Desserts at Coral Reef are as interestingly designed and delicious as the rest of the menu. So, there's somethig to look forward to on your next trip.

 

[KayleeUK]

Excellent reports

 

[danandjackie]

Jackie and Dan,
All of your reports so far have been of restaurants on my favorites list, so pure joy to read. If you aren't professional food columnists--why not? If you are, I'll subscribe.

FYI, the chef at Coral Reef loves compliments and if circumstances permit will actually come out of the kitchen to greet a happy diner. Any recipe I've ever asked for there has been cheerfully supplied. Once, because they didn't have it on hand, the restaurant mailed a recipe to my home.

ps Desserts at Coral Reef are as interestingly designed and delicious as the rest of the menu. So, there's somethig to look forward to on your next trip.

Hi

Thanks for your kind comments once again, we definately intend eating there again in october and I WILL be sampling dessert! What do you recommend?

Jackie

 

[SusanEllen]

Jackie,
I'm afraid I've never taken the careful trip notes that you and Dan have. However, I have done a little photo journaling and know that somewhere in those albums there are pictures of Coral Reef desserts. And I think I must have a CR menu or two in the Disney archives, so I'll get back to you with dessert names. But you can't go wrong if you order something made with more than one kind of chocolate, a molded chocolate dophin, and/or has the word "wave" in its name!
Know you like lobster and want to tell you that the best lobster bargain at WDW is to be had at lunch at the Coral Reef. Seasonally, it can be big beautiful Maine lobsters or tasty but smaller Florida rock lobsters.

 

[Minniespal]

Great report ~ Thanx for sharing.

 

[SusanEllen]

Chocolate Wave, Jackie. Found it in some notes that my dear Scott wrote years ago. This is the spectacular, signature dessert that's been on the Coral Reef menu for at least 10 years. Other things come and go but it remains. Shared some of these with friends last summer and wish I had one right now.