Opinions on Coral Reef needed!

[susy]

Hi! We have changed our Thanksgiving weekend plans AGAIN...

On the Friday after T-day, we will go to MK in the morning, break at the WL and then drive over to Epcot for dinner. We want to try Coral Reef. Please give us your opinions!!!!

 

[cord]

Sorry, but I have to give Coral Reef the Thumbs Down.

 

[KathleenFL]

Have you checked the DIS/WDWIG for the menu at Coral Reef??
If you like some things on the menu, I'd go there----The view of the huge aquarium is awesome! And I LOVE the cream of lobster soup........

 

[poober25]

I have eaten at Coral Reef twice and had a neg. experience both time. It's just not worth it to me to try it again. The only positive element is the being able to see the tanks. The first time we ate there was in '90 on the Gold Key or World Adventure Plan, whatever it was at the time, and our server was very rude and very snotty. The 2nd time was Oct. '02 and the server we had that time acted as if we were terrible for bringing our kids DD11mo, and DS4 and just generally did a poor job. BTW, my kids are well-behaved and if they are having a prob. in a restraunt like this, we leave so as not to further disturb other diners. For the price you are paying in this restraunt, I expect outstanding service and it just hasn't been there either time. This restraunt represents the worst 2 experiences we have ever had in the 8 times I have been to Disney and the 7 times that DH has. I guess that should tell what we think of the place.

 

[dansyr]

We ate at coral reef in March and absolutely loved it. It was one of our favorite restaraunts. I know there are alot of negatives on this board by I would give Coral Reef an A++++.
Food was great, service was great and the atmosphere is outstanding!!!

 

[susy]

We will have our 5yo DS with us. Is this going to be a problem?

Do they have lobster tails???

What about the mussels, clams? Has anyone tried this entree??
I was thinking about the rosemary skewered shrimp.

The cream of Lobster soup sounds good, but if I eat that, I will be done... much to the dismay of my server, I'm sure. Most don't like me anyway, becaue I refuse to stuff myself silly so they can get a bigger tip!

Any more reviews?

 

[manhattan]

Our first time there we went in May and walked right in without reservation at about 2:00 pm and were seated right in front of the tank- it was almost empty and we were able to sit there for a long time- the waiter took our order, brought it out and really didn't bother us until he came over to say that they had to setup for dinner. We thought the food was good and just to be able to sit there for over an hour was great. About two years ago we tried to walk in at about 1:30 on Mothers day and the hostess practically laughed at us- we knew it wasn't a great idea but thought we would try. I thought the hostess should have been a little more gracious about turning us away. We are going in two weeks and have made PS there since I really do want to eat there.

 

[Emy'sMom]

We are not crazy about the food at Coral Reef, however, DH absolutely LOVES the atmosphere so we eat there for lunch one time each trip (a tradition for us). Everytime we eat there we ask each other how the other's meal was and the answer is always "eh, it was alright, I guess". We do love the Lobster Bisque - but that's it. Guess I keep agreeing to eat there in hopes I'll like the food better!!

DH wants to eat there this year again (BTW - today is the 120 day mark so I can call today to make a PS .... )

Debbie

 

[susy]

Thanks for the replies. We have changed our minds for the time being and will try Teppanyaki on this trip.

 

[Dancind]

Alright, I have to chime in. We love the Coral Reef! We've eaten there three times during our last couple of trips, always for lunch. And I always order the same thing, Mahi Mahi, a glass of Chenin blanc, and Chocolate Wave for dessert. We took DH last time, and he ordered the same thing (I told him to). His review while eating his Chocolate Wave: mmmm, mmm , and mmmmmm. He didn't say that anywhere else, and we ate at several very nice places (Le Cellier, California Grill, Alfredo's, Mama Dellas' at Portofino). DD 12 loves their butter and cheese pasta, and build your own sundae. We joked that one of Pal Mickey's tips should be : "go to Coral Reef and have Mahi Mahi and a Chocolate Wave!" Diana

 

[AspiringCindy]

We also love Coral Reef! All 3 DDs were very impressed with the aquarium and I just love the pan seared shrimp. The lobster bisque is also wonderful.

 

[harperwi]

One other thing you can try (it's something we've turned into a tradition): Eat your meal somewhere else and then a while later visit the Coral Reef for dessert. You still get the atmosphere, but you save the high cost of meals.

Sure, the servers get less tip, but then again your table is freed up sooner...

We do it every time. The chocolate wave cake is to DIE for. (I even made it as my Christmas dessert this year).

Jon

 

[UKDEB]

This is a place we always have on our "to do" list, but never seem to get around to. Well, last month we eventually made it and it was a disappointment. Our server was miserable and the food was just OK - it certainly didn't live up to the promise of the menu, or the prices.

 

[LKS]

This is certainly a place everyone either loves or hates. Our family has been very pleased with our experiences. We had lunch there in 1996 and in 2002. They have one of the best kids meal on property if your child will eat fish. I'm pretty sure it was grilled Mahi with mashed potatoes and green beans. It was a good as the adult food, and, in fact, my husband finished it up. The soup is wonderful, as are the rolls, and all of our food was excellent with one exception. Do not let your child order the pasta with cream sauce, or mac & cheese or whatever it was. It was so bad that I told my son not to eat it. There was plenty of food from the kid's pizza and aforementioned fish. The kids love watching the tanks and our service has always been excellent.

That being said, Teppanyaki is one of our favorite restaurants at WDW, so it's a great choice and probably more food for a lower price, and still a good show for the kids.

 

[d-r]

Teppenyaki is good.

I wasn't sure about Coral Reef. We've been there a couple of times and this is what I've learned. First, the atmosphere is really great. If you have a window table it is really relaxing, and probably the best way to enjoy the living seas that there is.

Second, the service is good. Third, stick with the shrimp. Some things are hit or miss, but the shrimp is always, at least whenever we've been there, good. It is big and fresh and reminds me of the shrimp that we had in Florida growing up. If you live in Florida, or maybe other coastal places, that may not be a big deal to you. If you live in Michigan where you can never find anything but frozen shrimp, it is.

An example of hit or miss. One time the lobster bisque wasn't very impressive, it was bland and thin. The last time it was great, much better than Chefs de France, full of large bits of lobster, lots of flavor.

Stick with the basics.

Tappenyaki is probably less expensive than coral reef, and they are pretty good, too.

DR

 

[caitycaity]

we've eaten there twice and both times were bad. the view and location though can't be beat (heck we had our wedding reception at the living seas vip room ).

both times we went portions were small, cold, and service was bad. for the amount of money they charged, we don't feel it's worth it.

we did also have one romantic dinner there RUDELY interrupted by a diapered barefooted toddler CLIMBING up the side of the window to the aquarium, though i know that could happen anywhere and certainly wasn't the restaurant's fault.

 

[karen1]

Love, love, love the Coral Reef!!!! Both adults and kids alike in our family have it as a must have on all trips!!! WE will be there on 7/8/03 for dinner!!!!

The kids love the aquarium and the make your own sundae for dessert!!! We love the food!!!

 

[beccasmom]

We've eaten there about five times in the last 10 years. I am a fan of seafood and they definitely have that in abundance. However, it is not an inexpensive meal.

We enjoy the atmosphere, but prefer to sit in a booth. The tables right next to the fish are very close together and the couple next to us the last time found it necessary to comment on everything we were ordering! It was intrusive and annoying. I don't see myself returning anytime soon. It was not awful, but certainly not a must-do for my group.

 

[999thghost]

personally i love the coral reef. yes its expensive but hey your on vacation.live it up.secondly i'd have to say this place is for adults.its dark kinda romantic and the menu is geared towards adults. last but not least let me ask you ..when was the last time you ate next to a 25,000 gallon fish tank.....the defense rests

 

[#1hockeymom]

Ate lunch here yesterday for the first time! Three adults, one child. We absolutely loved it! Our server was fantastic, the view can't be beat, and the food was very good. My Dh's mahi was so good we might be back today and both order that!


Posting from the Swan,
Debbie