Coco Reef Resort - Review Page 3
Dining
The Coco Reef Resort enjoys a reputation for excellent catering. After our 2011 stay, I can only repeat the opinion we have expressed in previous reviews: we consider the catering very good, but not exceptional. Yes, maybe it is exceptional by the standards of Tobago. Perhaps even by the standards of most all-inclusive Caribbean hotels. In fairness, I have to comment that our opinion was not shared by most of the guests that we spoke to; most of whom felt that the catering was excellent.
The breakfasts were always superb and served buffet-style in the main Tamaras Restaurant, just off the main reception foyer. Tamaras is a large circular open-sided domed structure that affords beautiful views over the beach and sea. The multi-level layout engenders a much cosier feel than would normally be expected from a restaurant with a capacity of some 160-covers.
Those not wishing to face the world too early in the morning can enjoy breakfast on their room balcony. However, all-inclusive guests should be aware that a service charge does apply, as with all other room-service usage.
Lunch is served in the casual Bacchanals bar and restaurant. Bacchanals is an open-air beach bar made up of several interlinked wooden decks furnished with all-weather tables and chairs, plus several large sun umbrellas. Located directly next to the beach, it is highly convenient for the sun worshippers. A multi-level layout adds visual interest and allows more diners to enjoy the views over the beach and lagoon. Our only criticism of Bacchanals is that the restaurant is relatively small and getting a table in the covered area to the rear of the restaurant can be a major problem unless you dine particularly early, or late.
The luncheons are basically the same every day; a buffet-based barbeque grill, or small a la carte menu offering a range of items from sandwiches through to heavier fair.
Bacchanals is also open for dinner five evening a week and offers the more casual a la carte menu or a themed buffet or BBQ. This venue tends to be popular choice with families with young children, or guests who prefer to dress more casually than would be appropriate for Tamaras. Regardless of the venue, the presentation of food and buffets was superb and service excellent - although service could be very slow during busy times. Mind you, nobody ever goes to Tobago for quick service!
The Coco Reef website describes the cuisine in Tamaras as “international based on local ingredients”. Dinner is normally buffet-style on two nights of the week. On other nights the dinnermenu is akin to table d’hôte, with a choice of six entrées and a similar number of main courses. The presentation of the food offers more than a passing nod to nouvelle cuisine. Those expecting side plates of fresh vegetables will be disappointed as the main dish invariably consists of nothing but the chosen meat or fish atop a layer of accompaniment, served on a plate hot enough to dry all sauces. At least it ensures that no meal is every under-cooked! Nevertheless, after six weeks of dining out in Tobago’s sadly-lacking restaurants, we enjoyed our meals at the Coco Reef despite my opening comments.
Table reservations are normally essential and generally placed at breakfast. Reservations are not required for buffet evenings, which normally take place on Thursday and Sunday evenings for the convenience of newly arriving guests on the peak BA and Virgin Atlantic flights.
As in most open tropical restaurants, birds can be a problem during daylight hours. As soon as guests leave the table to go to the buffet, or leave the restaurant, opportunistic Carib Grackles (a blackbird with yellow eyes) and cheeky little Bananaquit (known locally as ‘sugar birds’) assume 
an invitation to dine. Most guests love the birds and many actively encourage or leave titbits for them. Other guests find them hugely annoying. Personally, I love seeing the birds, but totally accept that they should not be encouraged on hygiene grounds. I have slapped my hand!
The Coco Reef Resort has found a wonderful way to minimise the problem. They utilise the services of falconer Kelton Thomas of the Tobago Birds of Prey & Rehabilitation Centre. Kelton brings his magnificent Indian eagle owl, Lakshmi, and handsome Harris hawk, Coco, to the hotel several times a week, either during breakfast or at lunchtime. Lakshmi and Coco are not allowed to fly and hunt. Despite remaining tethered, their presence has a quite remarkable effect on other birds. Simply walking along the beach with Lakshmi is enough to cause the gulls on the lagoon wall, 75m away, to abandon their roosts and fly off with raucous alarm calls. Not only is this a practical and eco-friendly way of dealing with the bird problem, it has also become a hugely popular feature with hotel guests.
The hotel also owns the fascinating Café Coco Restaurant & Bar, a short 7-minute (500m) walk or taxi journey away. Café Coco just oozes character. It is the largest restaurant on Tobago and although cleverly designed to avoid appearing cavernous, is seldom busy enough to generate the ambience that the décor suggests or restaurant deserves. Both the décor and cuisine are more casual and relaxed than Tamaras Restaurant. We have enjoyed all visits to Café Coco. Please be aware that dining there is outside the scope of the all-inclusive package.
In addition to the restaurants, the Coco Reef boasts a small ‘champagne bar’, next to Tamaras, and The Gallery Bar & Lounge, located above the lobby. Afternoon tea is served in The Gallery, but guests should note that this is not part of the standard all inclusive package.
Dress Code
Most guests would totally endorse the dress code mentioned in the hotel room notes:
“Dress at Coco Reef is elegantly casual. We would be grateful if our guests would comply with the following guidelines in order to help us maintain an ambience with which everyone will be comfortable. Hotel Lobby/Reception area: Shoes and shirts should be worn in this area. Tamaras, The Gallery and Bobsters: During the evening we request that our guests dress appropriately. For breakfast, Gentlemen are requested to wear shirts and Ladies a cover-up. For Dinner, we request that Gentlemen wear long trousers and a shirt with a collar. Footwear must be worn at all times.”
Obviously the standards adopted vary. During our week at the Coco Reef almost everyone honoured the dress code rules. However, over the years we have heard fairly regular complaints from fashion-slaves who have been refused entry to Tamaras, or given a table in a dark corner and largely ignored; invariably because they were wearing jeans, cut-off trousers, collarless shirts or open sandals. Most of the staff take clear pride in the hotel and may well take personally any disrespect of the rules. This will inevitably affect the way they treat you.
As mentioned in the hotel notes, evening dress for the Tamaras restaurant is smart casual. Ladies tend to favour dresses or long skirts. Slacks and open-necked short-sleeve shirts are the norm for men; jackets and ties now being the exception rather than the rule. Guests who prefer to dress less formally have the option of the more casual Bacchanals or Café Coco restaurants.
Daytime dress is typical of most beach resorts. Ladies generally throw a sarong or wrap over their swimwear for breakfast or lunch. Men simply add a T-shirt, although inevitably there always seems to be at least one oaf who ignores good manners and remains bare-chested in the beach restaurant.
Topless or nude sunbathing is both socially unacceptable and against the law on Tobago. Local society is steeped in religious values and may appear old-fashioned to many, but these restrictions should obviously be respected.
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