COA — Restaurant in Dorado

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I visited COA in Dorado, Puerto Rico towards the end of 2022, and unfortunately, my dining experience was far from impressive. Despite the restaurant's sleek and modern decor, the food and service left much to be desired.

AMBIANCE: COA's ambiance is simply unforgettable. From the moment you step inside, you're transported to a world of modern elegance and rustic charm. The tall ceilings and large glass window walls allow natural light to flood the space, creating a bright and inviting atmosphere. The warm rustic charm of wooden accents throughout the space adds character and depth to the sleek modern design. The lighting is just right, casting a warm glow over everything in the room. But it's not just the interior that's impressive - outside seating area boasts an absolutely gorgeous view. As you sit outside on the patio, you'll be surrounded by lush greenery and charming string lights that create a magical atmosphere under the stars. However, one critique we have is how hot it can get without any fans or AC on a night with no breeze. It can make it difficult to fully enjoy COA's hot plates of food without feeling uncomfortable. We suggest adding some nice modern ceiling fans as they would be a great and much-needed addition to help cool down guests and enhance their dining experience.

FOOD: As for the food, it was mediocre at best. Our dishes lacked flavor and texture, and even the plating was subpar - our entrees looked like they had been put onto the plate with little thought or attention to detail. Although there was no creativity in the dishes that we ordered, the wagyu flight we had as an entrée was definitely a highlight of our meal and helped to salvage the overall dining experience. To put it simply, the overall poor quality of the food did not meet our expectations and left us feeling unsatisfied.

DRINKS: However, one bright spot of our meal was the wine selection. We had a great bottle of Querciabella 2009 that paired well with our entrees. Additionally, while not particularly inventive, their cocktails were still enjoyable and they have a decent selection to choose from.

SERVICE: Despite there being plenty of staff on duty, the service was poor and slow. We observed several staff members standing around without attending to guests or helping their colleagues who were busy attending to other tables. This made us feel neglected and frustrated as we waited for a long time to receive our drinks and food. It was clear that the problem wasn't due to a lack of staff but rather a lack of organization and communication among them. It's not the kind of service you would expect at a high-end restaurant like COA - it felt more like something you'd experience at a casual diner. In fact, it detracted even further from the level of service you'd expect at The Ritz Carlton. We hope that COA can improve its service in the future so that all guests can fully enjoy everything else. It was strange to experience such a vast difference in service between The Ritz Carlton resort and COA restaurant. The service at the resort was beyond stellar, with staff going above and beyond to ensure our comfort and satisfaction.

PRICE: The prices at COA are also quite high considering the lackluster quality of the food and service.

DRESS CODE: Since it’s a luxury resort, it's safe to assume that business casual or elegant resort attire would be appropriate.

RESERVATIONS: COA in Dorado requires reservations and is only open to Ritz Carlton resort guests, Dorado Beach members, and residents of the Ritz Carlton Reserve residences.

PLANS TO...

Subject: Exceptional Dining Experience at COA, Dorado Beach – A Ritz-Carlton Reserve

Last week, we enjoyed another extraordinary dinner at COA, the award-winning restaurant at Dorado Beach, A Ritz-Carlton Reserve, and were once again reminded why this resort exemplifies true six-star service and world-class cuisine.

From the moment we arrived, we were warmly greeted and escorted to our 6:00 PM dinner reservation—undoubtedly the perfect time to enjoy the breathtaking sunset views from our table. The gentle sound of the waves and the natural beauty of the setting created a truly magical ambiance.

Our remarkable servers, Joshua Gines and Miguel Meléndez, provided the finest hospitality we have ever experienced. Their attention to detail, impeccable timing, and thoughtful recommendations elevated the entire evening. Together with Dhaysra Reynoso, Gisela Bermúdez, and the exceptionally talented Chef and culinary team, they made our dining experience unforgettable.

Joshua and Miguel surprised us with a special selection of appetizers from the chef—an exquisite touch that set the tone for the rest of the evening. We began with a refreshing palate-cleansing sorbet, followed by an elegant variety of soups, salads, and both local cold and hot appetizers, accompanied by fresh artisanal bread. Our Chef’s Signature main courses—including perfectly prepared salmon, halibut, roasted pumpkin, chicken breast, and wagyu tenderloin steak—were complemented by flavorful side dishes and selections from the island’s finest wine assortment. We concluded our meal with an elegant trio of gourmet chocolates.

Every element—from the cocktails, cuisine, and wines to the impeccable service and captivating atmosphere—was absolute perfection. We are deeply grateful to the entire Ritz-Carlton Dorado Beach team for creating yet another memorable evening that exceeded every...

Coa is one of dorado Ritz Carlton’s restaurant. We ate there twice. The food is good, not amazing but still appreciated it. I loved the view and the ambiance / decoration of the terrasse

I like the tartare although first time it was too salty. It’s too bad to add white truffles without adding any truffle oil to enhance the truffle’s taste

I’d recommend the veal cheek starter which was delicious and they serve some mini baguette with their food which is delicious. I’ve rarely tried such a good baguette in another country than France

For the mains, they always over cooked our meats when we asked for rare. It happens often in Puerto Rico and America in general but at this price range I am expecting them to know how to cook a meat.

Waiters and waitresses are nice, especially Ivan who was always friendly and welcoming in addition to be a great waiter. I couldn’t say so about the hostess at the entrance that constantly look depressed and that deep breath when we asked if we could be seated somewhere else than the table she presented us. That isn’t the type of person that you want to put in such a role - the first person the...