How was Coral Reef?

[Dzny Nut]

I've heard it was great but i want to know from a first hand expierence

 

[Amy&Dan]

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1054914

Click on that thread. It shows some various reviews, including my own!

 

[Wendy1953]

Every time I've been to Coral Reef, it has been a wonderfully enjoyable meal...that includes last year when DH and I went for a Food & Wine Paring....it was the only one (Food & wine paring) I can truly say I enjoyed! The atmosphere, food, and wait staff are impeccable! One of these days I'll get a tank side seat!

 

[amarberry]

We really enjoyed Coral Reef...the food, especially our desserts, were excellent, we loved the atmosphere, etc. However, we had HORRIBLE service (but overall, we still really liked Coral Reef!). If you are seated in Roberto's section...RUN!!!!

 

[WillyDogs]

I really enjoyed the Coral Reef. I was seated right next to the aquarium so I had some amazing views. The food was really good as well. I have to say that the best part of the meal was the desert. I don't remember what it was called, but it was the lava cake with the molten white chocolate center. OMG it was amazing! The best desert I've had at WDW and I've eaten at most of the restaurants. It's a definite must-do for me everytime I go.

 

[Travelboy]

Coral Reef was excellent. Great food and the service was fine. Great view of the aquarium.

Get a booth!

It would have been overpriced had we not been on the dining plan but since we were, it was a bargain.

 

[mommyceratops]

We went in Jan and it was very YUMMY! We enjoyed the aquarium and the food. BTW the shrimp coctail was very good.

 

[Uncleromulus]

We went last trip and had a good meal!!

 

[sleepydog25]

First, let me say that my family of three truly enjoyed CR last year, and the dessert mentioned above by Willydogs sounds like the Chocolate Wave--a superb dessert, I might add. However, there are many who consider CR to be a waste of time and money. It seems to be one of the most widely disputed restaurants on this board. Some say the food is overpriced, the portions small, the ambience lacking, and the service spotty. Others, such as those posting above, largely enjoy CR.

I think you're best bet is to go in with an open mind, realizing that every restaurant has its bad days and its detractors. Personally, we found the portions to be just the right size, especially since we had an appetizer, soup, or salad, entrees (and we eat our veggies like our parents told us to growing up!), and dessert. Our food was cooked just right and was delicious, and our server was tremendous. It was a wonderful evening. The final claim about the price of the menu has some merit since it isn't cheap. By the same token, it's not out of line with a nicer restaurant in any major city; in fact, it's cheaper than many I've patronized. I suppose it just depends on what constitutes expensive to you. For example, I have seen people denigrate CR while comparing it to a buffet-style eatery--that's hardly fair. At any rate, give CR a try. You really won't know until you do.

 

[danj]

Great information we have reservations to eat there 3/18.

 

[Docsknotinn]

We really enjoy the coral reef and we are returning in Aug. I think one of the biggest factor on reviews is price. We have always had good food and service but like any restaurant they have their good days and their bad days.

 

[Quinn222]

We found the menu there to be uninspiring at best. My meal there was so bad I wasn't even charged for it and I didn't even complain. The waitress saw it was mostly uneaten and took it off of her own accord. dessert and soup were good but we will never go back there.

 

[Sue Sullivan]

The meal was fabulous, the bill was HUGE!

 

[loveDmouse]

We ate there in 2001 and we enjoyed it. Going back again in December and plan to eat there. We had a nice table right next to the aquarium. To me that was the best part getting to watch all the different fish, sharks and the turtle go by.

 

[angel's momma]

I have to say that the best part of the meal was the desert. I don't remember what it was called, but it was the lava cake with the molten white chocolate center. OMG it was amazing! The best desert I've had at WDW and I've eaten at most of the restaurants. It's a definite must-do for me everytime I go.

It's our favorite dessert too.

We ate at CR last fall on the free dining plan. Bill would have been $145 for our family of 3!

CR was one of our favorite meals, and we plan to return on our upcoming trip.

 

[DisneyMomx7]

We have an ADR there for July 12. There are two reasons we are trying CR. 1 - we're on the dining plan so we won't feel so bad if the food isn't up to par
2 - the kids saw it on the "Disney Full House" episode and are dying to try it.

Any recommendations - I was thinking about the lobster bisque and the shrimp pasta dish.

ALso, not to be ignorant, but what is tilapia? I've never had that kind of fish though the description of the asparagus and crab cake sides sounds great.

 

[angel's momma]

ALso, not to be ignorant, but what is tilapia? I've never had that kind of fish though the description of the asparagus and crab cake sides sounds great.

I can't tell you "what it is", but I can tell you that the tilapia was delicious. I didn't care for the crab cake, but I'd never had one before so I don't know if it was a "good" crab cake or not.

Other recommendations:
Our favorite appetizer was the beef skewers.

The other adults in our group all had filet mignon, and enjoyed it.

Our favorite dessert was the Chocolate Wave. The others we tried we good, but the Choc. Wave is the best dessert we had during the trip.

DD had the catch of day, which was good. She thought the build your own sundae was fantastic. We also got her the glow drink, which we planned to pay OOP, but they included on the plan because we had a problem concerning using our dining credits.

 

[Wendy31]

ALso, not to be ignorant, but what is tilapia? I've never had that kind of fish though the description of the asparagus and crab cake sides sounds great.

Tilapia is a mild, white, flaky fish - one of my favorites!

If you eat at Red Lobster much, they have a dish on their menu you can try(at least down here they do) called, "Roasted Tilapia in a Bag" - roasted w/ various veggies & seasonings in a paper roasting bag which is opened table-side by the waiter.

The more I read about Coral Reef the more I wish I could fit it into our dining schedule! Our kids love aquariums, and I think they would adore eating at the Coral Reef. And DH & I love seafood. I wonder if I should try to switch my ADR from the Garden Grill to the Coral Reef...

 

[poohraedopey]

We went 4 yrs ago. We had a server having a bad day. I chalk it up a lot to time of year we went and crowds (pres week). We are going to give it a whirl with kids this trip even thoguh I am afraid they won't eat anything..... Hoping for a tank side seat this trip!

 

[Amy&Dan]

We have an ADR there for July 12. There are two reasons we are trying CR. 1 - we're on the dining plan so we won't feel so bad if the food isn't up to par
2 - the kids saw it on the "Disney Full House" episode and are dying to try it.

Any recommendations - I was thinking about the lobster bisque and the shrimp pasta dish.

ALso, not to be ignorant, but what is tilapia? I've never had that kind of fish though the description of the asparagus and crab cake sides sounds great.

That Full HOuse episode is exactly why we tried CR! The lobster bisque is really good and really rich. The shrimp pasta dish is not too large and the sauce is basically the same as the lobster bisque. I generally get the bisque with the shrimp or chicken caesar salad.

I also see many people commenting about the desserts (which are wonderful). Our waitress told us last time that CR is the only restaurant at Epcot besides the one in France that has their own pastry chef. So that may explain things. And also, don't despair if you don't get tankside seating. We have always been up a bit and the views are great there too. The whole restaurant is tiered so everybody has a good view.