🔮Magical Dining: Why Bar Helios is ACTUALLY worth the money

ORLANDO, Fla. – There are a lot of reasons to try the restaurants participating in Magical Dining, but Bar Helios immediately stood out to me for one big reason: the view. If you can get a reservation around sunset or later in the evening, you may be looking at the best view in the entire Magical Dining lineup. From the rooftop at the Helios Grand Hotel, you can watch the sky change over Universal Epic Universe as the park starts to glow below you. Magical Dining Menu at Bar Helios (News 6 WKMG CSD) Recommended Videos Even sitting inside, Bar Helios is captivating. Constellations cover the ceiling, tying the restaurant into the Epic Universe setting and giving you plenty to look at between bites. I went in expecting the atmosphere to be the main attraction, but after trying every appetizer, entree and dessert on the Magical Dining menu, I left feeling like the food made the experience worth it, too. Bar Helios (News 6 WKMG CSD) And then there is the value. You get full-size portions, not smaller tasting-menu versions, and some of the entrees alone normally cost as much as the entire Magical Dining meal. A regular appetizer, entree and dessert can easily add up to around $75 to $95 before drinks, tax and tip, depending on what you order. That makes Bar Helios one of the rare Magical Dining menus that feels like a genuinely good deal without making the meal feel like a compromise. Magical Dining Appetizers at Bar Helios (News 6 WKMG CSD) My favorite appetizer was the farmer's cheese, and that is where I would tell you to start. It is a whipped farmer's cheese served with figs, ruby red grapefruit, honeycomb, citrus, roasted hazelnuts and grilled focaccia. The toppings change seasonally so the kitchen can use the freshest produce possible, which gives the dish a little variety throughout the year. The presentation makes it fun right away, but the flavors are what made it stand out for me. It is creamy, sweet, bright and nutty all at once. The fruit and citrus keep it from feeling too heavy, and the honeycomb adds a little sweetness without taking over the dish. It is also a refreshing way to start the meal, especially if you know you have several more courses coming. I enjoyed all three, but the farmer's cheese was the one that felt the most memorable and the most different from what I normally order. Farmers Cheese at Bar Helios (News 6 WKMG CSD) The patatas bravas are a good choice if you want something crispy and savory. The potatoes come with 'nduja mayo, fine herbs, lemon and crispy leeks. The mayo gives the dish a little spice and richness, while the lemon helps brighten everything up. Patatas Bravas at Bar Helios (News 6 WKMG CSD) The fried halloumi is the more indulgent option of the three. It is served with spiced honey and kibbeh, so you get the salty, chewy cheese with sweetness, spice and a little savory depth. If you like sweet-and-savory combinations, this is probably the appetizer for you. Fried Halloumi at Bar Helios (News 6 WKMG CSD) For the main course, I would order the petite beef medallion. The beef tenderloin is served with baby trumpet mushrooms, chimichurri, garlic sauce and mushroom tuile. This is where I really tasted the hotel's Mediterranean influence. The chimichurri and garlic sauce work so well together, and the mushrooms bring an earthy flavor that makes the dish feel hearty without being overwhelming. Petite Beef Medallion (News 6 WKMG CSD) The beef was tender, and the sauces gave it plenty of flavor. It is the kind of entree where I kept going back for another bite just to get a little more of the garlic sauce and chimichurri together. The petite beef medallion is also gluten-free, as is the risotto al limone. Risotto al Limone at Bar Helios (News 6 WKMG CSD) The risotto al limone is a lighter, brighter entree. It comes with watercress pesto, asparagus, lemon gremolata and mint. The lemon and herbs keep it fresh, and the asparagus gives it a nice seasonal element. This is the one I would choose if I wanted something vegetarian and gluten-free that still felt like a complete meal. Pan Seared Divers Scallops at Bar Helios (News 6 WKMG CSD) The pan-seared diver scallops are the most expensive entree on the regular menu at $45. They come with creamy mascarpone polenta, dill citrus foam and Parmigiano crisps. The scallops are a good option if you want seafood and something that feels a little more elevated. The mascarpone polenta is creamy and comforting, while the dill citrus foam keeps the dish from becoming too rich. The Parmigiano crisps add a salty crunch. Desserts at Bar Helios (News 6 WKMG CSD) I would order all of these desserts again in a heartbeat. Which one you choose really depends on what kind of dessert person you are. Mount Vesuvius at Bar Helios (News 6 WKMG CSD) If you are a decadent dessert person, order Mount Vesuvius. This is the 70% chocolate fondant with olive oil gelato, spicy caramel sauce and sesame tuile. It is rich, warm and comforting, and the tableside caramel makes it feel like an experience instead of just another dessert being dropped off at the table. The hot caramel is drizzled over the top, and that moment adds to the whole Epic Universe setting. You can feel the warmth from the spicy caramel in the back of your throat, but it never overwhelms the dessert. Passionfruit Gelato at Bar Helios (News 6 WKMG CSD) The gelato is the refreshing choice. The options include passion fruit stracciatella, lemon sorbetto and chocolate hazelnut crunch. I tried the passion fruit, and it was cold, fruity and bright. It was a really nice way to reset your palate and end the night. A Night at the Opera at Bar Helios (News 6 WKMG CSD) A Night at the Opera felt like the best of both worlds to me. It is lighter than Mount Vesuvius, but it is not cold like gelato. The dessert includes pistachio, raspberry, honey yogurt, lemon curd and raspberry whipped ganache. The cake is moist and light as air, and the fruit keeps it from becoming too heavy. The lemon curd gives it a little brightness, while the pistachio adds a subtle nutty flavor. This is the dessert I would recommend if you want something sweet and satisfying but do not want to finish the meal feeling completely weighed down. View of Epic Universe from Bar Helios (News 6 WKMG CSD) The food is the reason I would recommend adding Bar Helios to your Magical Dining list, but the setting definitely makes the night feel more special. There is also one more detail that makes the experience an even better value: If you spend $50 or more at Bar Helios, your parking is validated. Since the Magical Dining meal already meets that minimum, dinner essentially covers your parking, too. And if you are anything like me, once you see this hotel and the view, you might start thinking about how to stay longer. The hotel offers significant discounts for Florida residents, so if you want to turn dinner into a weekend, it is worth checking out those rates. Menu items, prices and availability are subject to change.