Pleasantly surprised by Coral Reef!

[cslafferty]

We ate dinner at the Coral Reef last week. I have always wanted to dine there out of curiousity, but never have since the members of my family are not big seafood lovers (I am allergic to shellfish). We absolutely loved it! My adult daughter, who loves steak, said her steak there was the best she's ever had! My husband and I both had the salmon - delicious! And the Bailey's and Jack Daniels Mousse was incredible!! We were lucky enough to get a table right up front, and were not at all bothered by anyone coming up to get a closer look at the fish. After reading the threads concerning the Coral Reef, I was expecting mediocre food at best, but this was one of the best meals we had at during our week long visit to WDW!!

 

[wdwmagic]

Would love to have your review at http://www.wdwmagic.com/Dining/Coral-Reef-Restaurant/Reviews.htm if you get a chance.

 

[maggiegrace1]

That is great!,,,Glad you all enjoyed it..

I never follow what people say usually about restaurants as everyone has differing opinions.
I am not a fan of Le Cellier yet people rave over it..so I will always try for myself if I have interest in a restaurant

 

[French Quarter]

I would like to try it sometime. Thanks for the positive review. I too have been put off going there due to the mixed reviews.

 

[mouselvrmom]

I have heard the mixed reviews as well. We finally got around to trying it this trip and absolutely loved it! While we weren't near the tank, we did have a nice circular booth so that all of us were facing the tank and could gaze out over it. The food was delicious. I had the mahi mahi and it was fabulous! I agree the desserts were also really good! Definitely something we'll be going back to.

 

[Kajunpainter500]

We were there last year and loved it. Great atmophere and good food. We have our DR for our November trip.:slurp:

 

[Master Gracey 5]

I've never had a bad experience here, and have always enjoyed the food but then again I love fish. I think if you're willing to try something a bit different, you tend to get a better meal than the same old food they serve everywhere else. I recall last time I was there the woman at the table next to us complained to the manager about how her kid's chicken fingers and pizza were unsatisfactory - but what do you expect with that food?

Personally I love the chocolate wave - that dessert is to die for.

 

[foreverbelle]

Glad you enjoyed it, its one of our favorites. The atmosphere is fabulous and I have had several comments about the steak-I am allergic to beef-Hubby loves it though so yeah. Glad you had a great time!

 

[cornandacobb]

Good to see all the positive feedback.
I'm always shocked by the poor reviews.

 

[tink65]

So happy that your enjoyed it! It's one of our familys favorites! I almost always get the mahi mahi but DH always gets the steak. It is one of his favorite steaks anywhere!:slurp:

 

[me_stitch]

even if the food was just okay, which I think it's pretty good, the experience and the view is worth the price itself.

 

[wm49rs]

While I wasn't thrilled by my meal, I don't regret taking my family there at least once. Eating at Coral Reef is about more than the food you eat, so if I leave a little less-than-satisfied I can at least say I've eaten there and for the most part it was an enjoyable experience.

 

[NORMNB8S]

I'm glad you enjoyed it. We enjoyed our visit too and I second the opinion about the Chocolate Wave dessert. It is very tasty!

 

[_Scar]

I will def. have to check out Coral Reef next trip

Do they charge a split fee?

 

[Mukta]

I have eaten there for the past 5 trips and I don't even eat seafood!

I enjoy the atmosphere, the drinks and the dessert. The Veggie lasagna is also amazing.

 

[BoardwalkGlenn]

Now I'm curious to try it as well. After reading mixed reviews for many restaurants, I figured I should still try them on my own.

It's like CRT. Most people say the food isn't that good; however, when I dined there last fall (dinner), I would say it was 1 of the best meals that week!!

So it goes to show, try 'em anyway. You may be surprised.

 

[French Quarter]

I've never had a bad experience here, and have always enjoyed the food but then again I love fish. I think if you're willing to try something a bit different, you tend to get a better meal than the same old food they serve everywhere else. I recall last time I was there the woman at the table next to us complained to the manager about how her kid's chicken fingers and pizza were unsatisfactory - but what do you expect with that food?

I think you're right. If you want the best experience when you go to a restaurant, order what they are known for or what they do best. If I went to Coral Reef for supper tonight, I think I'd start with the Shrimp and Lobster Cake, go with the Pan-seared Ahi Tuna, and finish with the Chocolate Wave. :slurp:

Also, they seem to have one of the better kid's menus, just giving it a glance over. Along with the usual boring options, there are two different choices for fish.

I will def. have to check out Coral Reef next trip

Do they charge a split fee?

Someone please correct me if I'm wrong but I seem to remember many people reporting that, unlike at DLR, WDW doesn't usually charge split fees.

 

[MillerPoppins]

This thread makes me so happy. I have an ADR for the last night of my trip with the bf and I was getting a little concerned with the latest comments I've been seeing. I've been eyeing up the mahi mahi on the menu. It sounds and looks so good!

 

[mouselvrmom]

This thread makes me so happy. I have an ADR for the last night of my trip with the bf and I was getting a little concerned with the latest comments I've been seeing. I've been eyeing up the mahi mahi on the menu. It sounds and looks so good!

Oh, it's completely delicious! Enjoy!

 

[Princess Clayre]

My family ate at Coral Reef a couple of weeks ago and again the food was fantastic. Our group of 7 had 5 different meal and all were excellent. The only thing that would stop me from going back was the noise level, although I think we were unlucky with a few whiny kids on nearby tables.

It's like CRT. Most people say the food isn't that good; however, when I dined there last fall (dinner), I would say it was 1 of the best meals that week!!

So it goes to show, try 'em anyway. You may be surprised.

I would also second that CRT was one of our best meals. I was started to get really worried before we went that I had made the wrong decision going there but I was so pleasantly surprised. Would defiantly go back.