Has *ANYONE* really liked Coral Reef???

[JoePa4Ever]

Wow. Really? What steak did you get at Le Cellier that was so bad?

We ate at LC earlier in the week and had the best filet mignon I have ever eaten. It was so tender that when you placed your fork on top of it to hold the meat to cut it that he fork sunk into the steak! The NY Strip at CR today at lunch was so tough you had to literally saw off each piece with a steak knife. Horrible quality of meat at CR - for $28 I had hopes it would have been a bit better.

The steak wasn't awful at Le Cellier, but I basically had the exact opposite experience as you did. The steak at Coral Reef was perfect while the steak at Le Cellier was average at best. I've eaten at Coral Reef the past two Septembers and the steak has been perfectly wonderful both times.

 

[Steph9072]

I have attached my review from 07'. I have already started planning our trip for this year. All dh has asked is that we eat at Coral Reef again.



Coral Reef

We had a 6:00 adr and arrived about 20 minutes early. We had enough time for us all to use the restroom and change ds diaper. And cool off a bit.

I called at our 90 day and set up with Debbi for the diver and menu for our Anniversary (which is not until July 3, but this was a celebration so why not). We were seated in one of the ½ circle tables right across from the glass all the way at the far end as you walk in. This restaurant imo was amazing. I love fish and aquatic life so this was right up my alley. It was beautiful and so calming.

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 with the extra Ranch dressing we requested for dipping. 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.

 

[walt's assistant]

DIS podcast really panned Coral Reef in their most recent broadcast, but we enjoyed it the last time we were there. The atmosphere is unlike anything we've ever experienced before...really cool. I would say the food was good, but not excellent. Allow me to qualify this by saying that we were on the Disney Dining Plan, and probably wouldn't have gone there if we had to pay straight off of the menu...the prices were very high IMO. But we'd definitely go back if we were on the Dining Plan.

 

[ModestMouse]

We ate at Coral Reef about 18 mos. ago; our food was fine, everything very well prepared. My wife and I had a fish with Israeli couscous that was excellent and I thought the portions were fine. Our kids loved the tank and they cleaned their plates. We would go back. I'm not sure if this restaurant just has inconsistencies; some people love it, but some sure don't. We tried to get an ADR for it last night for a trip in June and the night we wanted wasn't available at all, so it must remain popular.

 

[ElizabethB]

Used to like it. Not anymore. I guess I could say that about most of the 1TS restaurants!

 

[OllieDannyandMe]

We loved it. For all three of us, we enjoyed our appetizers, entrees, and desserts at Coral Reef more than any other meal this past December.

We had a table next to the tank with a giant sea turtle to keep us company. We loved the colors and decor in the dining room. It was quiet and our server was perfect.

We did Deluxe Dining on that trip, and here are some restaurants that we felt paled in comparision to CR: Kona Cafe, Jiko's, Citricos.

We did like our lunch at CRT and another dinner at Wolfgang Puck's. WP came close to our experience at CR, but CR was a better meal.

That said, the portions at CR are small and the price is high. That was perfect for us, because we had the Deluxe Dining Plan. If I was not on a dining plan, I would still make a reservation at CR, but I would only go for dessert and to soak up the atmosphere.

 

[eargal71]

We just returned this past weekend from our first trip. I was also skeptical after all the not so good reviews on the boards. I'm glad to report all 6 in our party enjoyed the meal tremendously. I had the Mahi Mahi, Dh had the special-grouper, mom had the steak, mil had the pork, dad had the tuna and ds had pizza. Butterscotch creme brulee and choc wave were dessert. All were delish! Our server, Leah, was wonderful as well. Service was also quick. We will definitely return on our next trip. (the house salad with key lime herb vinegarette was also good)

 

[irunnoft]

Eating lunch at the Coral Reef has always been a family tradition for the past five summers. We have enjoyed our lunch every time. Since I have discovered the blackened catfish and pepper jack cheese grits, I've been a huge fan. My wife is the adventurous one who tries new things continually. She has always liked her meal. I've read some less than glowing reviews of the restaurant, but we've always loved it.

 

[TinkerLily]

We (4 adults, 1 kid) had lunch at CR in March. The atmosphere was great, the service was outstanding (even took us around the restaurant to show us a couple of hidden mickeys) and the food was yummy. It did take 2 hours though, so that was a big chunk out of the day, but all decided we would go back, even if it took 2 hours again. I can't remember what we each ate, but it was great. My dd didn't want a desert but she had on a birthday button, so the waiter brought her a chocolate banner that said happy birthday and had a candle stuck to the plate. She loved it.

 

[TinkerLily]

I didn't realize how blurry that picture was. Sorry about that!

 

[pavil]

It's good but not raving food good! To be honest I have yet to be wowed by any food at a Disney Restaurant. Don't get me wrong, I love Eating there, but my expectations aren't up in the stratosphere.

That being said, I think Coral Reef is one of the "once in a life places" to have a meal. I probably wouldn't go there if I wasn't on the dining plan as the food is way overpriced, but the food is good, the service OK and the view is tremendous. That's two out of three for me, so it gets a thumbs up!.

I had the Lobster Bisque there and it was very tasty.

 

[pta-mom]

We (me & DS 10, DS 12 at the time) ate here last year & REALLY enjoyed it! We sat at the window & the boys were given special menus I had requested beforehand & a diver sign! They were shocked & thrilled. Really special, beautiful place.

I don't really remember what we ate, I might if I looked at a menu, but I do remember the food being good....maybe not spectacular but good.

We are planning to do CR again this year, this time with DH as well so that he can enjoy this great place too!