Coral Reef disappointment

[ruca]

I went to the Coral Reef a couple of weeks ago and I was very disappointed. This had always been one of my favorite restaurants, however, on my most recent trip I found that the menu was extremely small (much smaller than before) and not very interesting. I got the Lobster Bisque as a started and got sick from it and I hadn't even finished it because it had the consistency of glue. Also, I got the Wave for dessert and the dried cherry compote was missing! I am wondering if this was a fluck (I really hope it was) or if this restaurant has really gone downhill?

BTW-the rest of the food I had on my trip was wonderful as always!!!!

 

[WDWKat26]

Wow, my suggestion would be to write. I have never eaten there but still that doesn't sound good! You know who has good lobster bisque? Yachtsman Steakhouse *drools*

 

[kennedy]

Funny-- I was just about to ask what people thought of this place-- I was thinking of making a PS there. I'd love to hear from others, to see what their experiences were like.

 

[Computer Magic]

Coral Reef has been going down hill for a few years. I remember when they were calling themselves a signature restruarant in the dinning plan. This basically means they were over priced.

 

[lawyergirl77]

I was really unimpressed when we went to the Coral Reef in May 2004. Food was still decent, but not for the price (2 credits on the silver plan at that point).

Bottom line: the tank is cool, but there are other places to get seafood in the World nowadays. When it first opened, the Coral Reef's ambiance, decor AND food were unique. That's just not the case anymore, and they really needed to beef up the quality in order to stay competitive. IMHO, they haven't, which is too bad.

 

[Computer Magic]

I was really unimpressed when we went to the Coral Reef in May 2004. Food was still decent, but not for the price (2 credits on the silver plan at that point).

Bottom line: the tank is cool, but there are other places to get seafood in the World nowadays. When it first opened, the Coral Reef's ambiance, decor AND food were unique. That's just not the case anymore, and they really needed to beef up the quality in order to stay competitive. IMHO, they haven't, which is too bad.

Great post :wave:

my feelings excatly..impressed at first but the Novelty wore off...

 

[Woody13]

I went to the Coral Reef a couple of weeks ago and I was very disappointed. This had always been one of my favorite restaurants, however, on my most recent trip I found that the menu was extremely small (much smaller than before) and not very interesting.

This seems to be typical now among many of the restaurants that participate in the Disney Dining Plan. :wave:

 

[longfamily]

It is really a shame about the "wave". this particular dessert was the only reason why we ever ate at the Coral Reef.

 

[New2WDW]

It is sad to hear disappointment on anything at Disney. But.....my family (2 adults and 2 girls under 9) were going to try the Coral Reef this trip and I was wondering about the seating arrangement. Can anyone describe this for me please? It sounds like there are different levels or is it just different as in seating away from the glass?:veryconfu

Also any other tips on this restaurant would be appreciated! Thanks.

 

[KnK]

We had gone a few years back and had a terrible experience. Not just the food but also the service.

We decided to give it another try last year, because we knew they had changed chef's. Had even a worse experiece that time. Bad enough that I filled out a comment card!

Love the space, but not worth the time and energy.

 

[lawyergirl77]

It is sad to hear disappointment on anything at Disney. But.....my family (2 adults and 2 girls under 9) were going to try the Coral Reef this trip and I was wondering about the seating arrangement. Can anyone describe this for me please? It sounds like there are different levels or is it just different as in seating away from the glass?:veryconfu

Also any other tips on this restaurant would be appreciated! Thanks.

There are many semi-circular booths, all facing towards the tank on most of the "levels". I can't remember what the tables near the tank looked like (have I mentioned that it is really dark in there and hard to see anything but the tank??!! :lol: )

 

[shoppingnut]

We had gone a few years back and had a terrible experience. Not just the food but also the service.

Love the space, but not worth the time and energy.

Exactly!!

 

[New2WDW]

I think after hearing all this we will skip the Coral Reef and try something else. :lookaroun

 

[Kadee]

We tried the Coral Reef a few years ago and were VERY disappointed. I found the food to be very bland and just not very good at all. But, I do have to say that I live on the gulf coast of Alabama where you get some of the best seafood anywhere.....very flavorful! We Southerners know how to spice up some seafood!!:fork: So most seafood anywhere out of the area (from Louisianna to Tallahasee) is just not good enough.

 

[Woody13]

We tried the Coral Reef a few years ago and were VERY disappointed. I found the food to be very bland and just not very good at all. But, I do have to say that I live on the gulf coast of Alabama where you get some of the best seafood anywhere.....very flavorful! We Southerners know how to spice up some seafood!!:fork: So most seafood anywhere out of the area (from Louisianna to Tallahasee) is just not good enough.

I agree. Frankly, I think the Red Lobster has better seafood than the Coral Reef. :wave:

 

[The Mom]

I've eaten there several times over the years, and the food/service is very variable. I went with my parents once (both New Englanders who grew up eating tons of fish) and our fish was underdone. We called the waiter back, told him the fish wasn't cooked, and he tried to convince us that it was supposed to look like that. No, it wasn't sushi, it was supposed to be white and "fluffy" not translucent and hard.

I didn't go back for a couple of years, but my daughter really wanted to see the fish, so we went and had a delicious meal with great service. I put it back on my list, but the next trip was so-so, follwed by a another great trip, followed by an awful trip. I haven't been back in the last couple of years, so don't know what it's like today.

 

[mnagel55]

Yet again this board comes through for me! Thanks for saving my family the disappointment.

Any suggestions for a similar theme outside the parks? I had thought my kids would really get a kick out of the tank but perhaps there are other places to get a similar experience.

TIA

 

[d'Isigny]

We were disappointed as well after dining there in 2004. I love the setting...but menu is limited...everything is al carte...and the food wasn't that good to merit the cost.

I wish they would do something about this...

 

[AEfx]

Once the pavillion is Nemo-fied, I hope they nuke the "fine dining" garbage and turn it into a fun, themed restaurant. The tank has always been great, but it's never been anything approaching consistent when it comes to the food, selection, or service.

It doesn't need to be a character meal or anything (do the Nemo characters appear in person?) but just a fun, sit-down with some good, family-friendly food.

AEfx

 

[surfsupdon]

Granted seafood is seafood and therefore pricey, but it is nowhere near as pricey as the menu suggests. We ate there once in 2000 and it really was great food with very good service. The portions were small, however.

I work in a local fish market (8 summers and counting) and can say that the Coral Reef fish is definitely fresh, though over-priced for such small portions.