San Angel or Coral Reef???

[michaelsmommy]

I need some quick help/advice from anyone who's been to either of these restaurants lately.

I have an ADR for San Angel, but now that I found out that Coral Reef is 1 TS credit I want to eat there. Not sure how the food or atmosphere is though. My son LOVES the ocean, fish, sharks, etc. so I thought it would be a neat treat for him.

Also how hard is it to get a table beside the aquarium if you ask?

And what time should I make the ADR for?

 

[Lovemy3babes]

I'd like to try Coral Reef but the rest of my family does not like seafood. Bummer!! So, we're going to San Angel.

 

[__disneygirl]

Well do you want Seafood or Mexican is what it comes down to. Atmosphere at Coral Reef is soooo cool with all the aquariums. If your son loves the ocean I think he'll be in heaven there!

 

[nursemelis374]

I know other people like it, but I thought the food at San Angel was awful.

 

[bellarosemarie]

I've eaten at both, and perfer Coral Reef, It's the first restaurant my DH asks if we have ps befor leaving home. I'ts the place we always eat at our first night in Disney. We've done San Angel twice and I've never thought It was too great food wise, but it is romantic.

 

[Forever42]

I'd say neither, we've re-done both recently and are on our list of the *worst* places to eat at Disney. Sure they have atmosphere, especially San Angel, but the food isn't good at either, and the service is almost always dismal.

Go to the Living Seas and then eat dinner elsewhere, you'll have a much better time.

 

[KimmLynn]

I haven't eaten at Coral Reef but I was not impressed with San Angel's food. The atmosphere is beautiful, the server was nice, but the food left a lot to be desired...

 

[3disAddicts]

We tried San Angel back in 2000, and Coral Reef in 2005. DH really disliked San Angel. We're used to the texmex stuff, and it was too traditional for his liking. I thought it was okay, but we both really liked Coral Reef. As far as atmosphere goes, it depends on what you're looking for. It was really dark but nice inside San Angel, and a little slower paced. At Coral Reef we got a seat by the tanks, but we checked in about 15-20 min. earlier than our ressie and had to wait about 20 min. Restaurant itself is very pretty. I've heard that service is hit or miss, so I guess we got lucky because our server was really great, though we did feel a bit rushed. The noise level I thought was a bit overwhelming. I mean it was REALLY loud. Plus, be aware that if you get a seat by the tanks, kids may come and stand beside your table to get a closer look at tanks. There's not a lot of elbow room. This didn't bother us, though. Have heard people complain about small portions, but on the dining plan we had more than enough to eat. We both enjoyed the food. I personally would do this restaurant only on the dining plan, because it is outrageously expensive considering portion sizes. It was kinda neat having the divers come up close and try to interact with us. Worth doing at least once IMHO.

 

[emma'smom]

We went to Coral Reef last month and thought the food was fantastic! We're not seafood eaters, so we ordered steaks and they were fantastic. DD4 loves seafood and ordered the shrimp cocktail as an appetizer on the DDP. Nice big, plump shrimp. She really enjoyed it. All in all...it was one of our favorite meals!

 

[sleepydog25]

Coral Reef. Most dishes there are quite tasty, and the Chocolate Wave dessert is one of the best in any on site restaurant. Some complain about portions, but we found them to be just fine. . .of course, we eat our veggies, too. Prices are a little steeper than some other places but not out of line for a nice seafood place in any major city. Besides, you ARE paying for the ambience as well. If you want a table by the tank, I'd make an early ADR, arrive early, then ask for the first available by the tank. You may have to wait a short while, but we found it worthwhile. 3disAddicts is correct about the possibility of having kids trying to crowd you if you sit tank side, but it doesn't get too bad.

As for SAI, though the atmosphere is very nice, it's way too crowded in there. Tables literally are crammed together. With the exception of a few dishes, the food is largely unremarkable, and the margaritas are heavy on the sugary mix and low on the actual lime and alchohol content. For either or both of these restaurants, you might think about doing lunch. The menus are usually cheaper and crowds lower. Good luck.