Newbie Solo Diner-Coral Reef or Chefs de France?

[jsmla]

I've always been very leery of table service on my solo trips. Last trip on a cold, drippy day in early February I bit the bullet and had lunch at the Brown Derby and survived. For my next trip (September) I decided to upgrade to the regular Dining Plan. I will be eating breakfast in the room most days. Right now my ADRs look like this:

Sunday
Magic Kingdom/Disney Springs
8:25 AM Be Our Guest
3:00 PM Jungle Skipper Canteen

Monday
Hollywood Studios/Epcot
No ADR Epcot Food and Wine

Tuesday
Magic Kingdom/Animal Kingdom
7:45 AM Early Morning Magic (breakfast at Pinocchio's Village Haus)
4:10 PM Tiffins (Rivers of Light Dining Package, 2TS)

Wednesday
Animal Kingdom/Magic Kingdom
5:10 PM The Wave

Thursday
Epcot/Hollywood Studios
No ADR Epcot Food and Wine

Friday
Magic Kingdom/Epcot
11:10 AM Be Our Guest
5:10 PM Coral Reef (wondering if I should do Chefs de France instead?)

Saturday
Animal Kingdom/move to Universal Orlando
11:55 Sanaa


How are these restaurants for a solo? I'm still trying to decide between Coral Reef and Chefs de France on Friday. I love seafood and Coral Reef is nice and dark which would probably be more comfy for me. OTOH the prix fixe at Chefs looks very tempting!

 

[adamreisinger]

I'd go Chefs de France over Coral Reef. I wasn't impressed with the seafood at Coral Reef, and because of the atmosphere with the giant fish tank, there are lots of kids there. Chefs de France is more adult/solo friendly.

 

[jsmla]

Thanks!

I haven't eaten at either in ages and a meal very interested in hearing opinions.

 

[Simba's Mom]

Based on my experience as a solo diner, I'd recommend Coral Reef over Chefs de France. That is, unless you're a young, good-looking female (which I'm not-young, that is). Last two times I was at Chefs de France, my servers, both times a young male, were more interested in flirting with young females at adjacent tables, and completely ignored me. At Coral Reef, when I politely told them at check-in that since I was solo and wouldn't have a dining companion to pass the time, I'd really appreciate being near the tank to give me something to see. Every time there, I've gotten a great tank-side table.

 

[Stefecatzz]

I'm also interested to read opinions, particularly about dining solo at Chefs de France since this has been on my list for a while now. I am a bit reluctant because I have see how close the tables are & think maybe that might be uncomfortable for me to be solo at a table almost touching the ones next to me which usually are occupied by couples..

 

[jsmla]

That's kind of what I was thinking. I was hoping for a nice dark table away from the tank at Coral Reef.

 

[maux]

I've been to both, and prefer Chef's. Coral Reef was nice, with the fish and divers the one time, but I think the food is better at Chef's. Especially the steak!

 

[katmu]

I dined solo at Chefs last September and really enjoyed it. I might be female but I'm not that young but I found the wait staff to be very friendly.

 

[daae3]

I have dined solo at both. Loved both as a solo- you really can't go wrong with either. I would say look at the menu and pick the one that appeals most. In Chefs, the tables are right on top of each other, so even though you are solo, you may end up in a conversation with the next table. If you are ok talking to strangers- great! If not, you may not like it. I had a lovely quiet lunch at Chefs at an off time- just that one time though- when they would bring Ratatouille around and they were very sweet and made sure he made it to my table too! Coral Reef is a favorite of mine for solo because I love the tank and I really like the food- I get the Mahi, and it is always good. If you don't want tank side, you should have no trouble since tankside is the more popular choice. Have not tried any of the others solo, but sure they will be great. I am trying Tiffins on my next visit!

 

[jsmla]

Thanks, everyone!