We spent the Mother's Day weekend at Helios Grand and got to enjoy the brand new epic park and all it had to offer. When we checked in though we were able to score a reservation for Bar Helios, the beautiful bar on the 10th floor of the hotel with stunning views of the theme park. The vibe is very cool and lighting is great with a really stunning center bar. We were lucky enough to eat outside, even though it was raining, as part of their patio has a nice overhead cover. They were busy and a took a minute for service but the drinks and food came out quickly and service was friendly and efficient. The two drinks we ordered were excellent although I did think it was a little weird that a feta cube came on top of mine. I went with it and turned out to be delicious. The farmers cheese was amazing... Would eat that again right now. I was a little disappointed to see that they still have octopus on the menu as that's kind of a turn off for me these days. The Calamari was just OK and the Wagyu sliders were definitely overcooked. I'll give them a pass since they're new and the cocktails and ambience more than made up for the food issues. If you're staying at the hotel, definitely check out this spot for a beautiful cocktail with an even more stunning view! read more

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Talk about new environment and excellent service. Don't let the name bar fools you, it more than a bar, it has great food and good for family. Yes the price is not family friendly, but it super nice. You got to see Epic Universe from above. We got some desserts and hang out. Also you don't need to stay at hotel to enjoy this restaurant, they will validate parking up to 4 hours. Come here to hangout until 10pm for the light show. I highly recommend this place!! read more

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Our first time at The Helios Grand so you know I gotta try the rooftop Bar Helios! I was in the mood for anything at that point and its not a vacation unless you spoil yourself, right? When we walked in, the ceiling was covered in constellations, the lighting was dim, aside from small white light table lamps. We had reservations so we were greeted and seated instantly. We aren't a booze couple, and it was a little chilly with the AC so we both requested hot teas. Something tells me it wasn't a menu item because the words, "let me see if I can find you some" said different. I knew there was hot teas on the lobby floor, and it did take a while to get ours, so our girl probably went out of her way to get us what we asked. We ordered the charred octopus, the spring pea and chorizo croquette, beef skewer and the under smoke mousse dessert. That octopus was fantastic. The potatoes, tomatoes and garnish? I ate EVERYTHING. The 2 sauces that came with the skewer were a white garlic sauce and a chimichurri. Both were excellent. Steak cubes were buttery soft. I missed the taste of steak. The croquettes were okay. It was under the crispy category, but though battered, they weren't crispy at all. For a Sunday it was busy, and our server apologized for the delays. But we were happy for the sacrifices she made. The dessert we took to go, but when we tried it, it tasted like it was perfectly balanced 50/50 of both milk and dark chocolate. Excellent. Would definitely eat here again if we come back to FL. One thing that bothered me, that had nothing to do with the restaurant, was the wannabe influencers at the bar who brought a light for their videos that was bright and annoying. The bartender must have saw me shielding my eyes and told them something but they kept doing it. Someone near them had ordered a tomahawk steak and they asked if they could take a picture of it and the guy replied "why dont you buy your own?" Ha! That was a sweet answer. Bless that guy whoever he was. read more

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Bar Helios inside the Helios Grand Hotel is absolutely stunning. Glowing star ceiling, sleek circular bar, and an unreal nighttime view over Universal Epic Universe. The food matched the vibe too... the farmer's cheese with honey, pistachio, and focaccia was ridiculous, and the beef skewers were just as good. Drinks were excellent--balanced, creative, and beautifully presented. And a huge shoutout to our server, Todd. My husband and I are locals, and we agree that he's genuinely one of the best servers we've had anywhere in Orlando. Attentive without hovering, never rushed us once, great recommendations, perfect timing. Just top-tier service all around. If you're staying at the hotel or even nearby, this is a must-do stop for views, cocktails, and atmosphere alone. One of the coolest bar experiences in Orlando. read more

Bar Helios - Seafood Near Me - Orlando, Florida

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The humus sampler was delicious! Had a sangria and it was sweet and not dry. Definitely would order again! 10/10 recommend

I loved the view from bar Helios of seeing epic but didn't like how they only had small plates for food but good drinks to choose from. Our server Jasmine was awesome and we had fun time doing the rose dessert fun experience! This is place is very pricey but it's cool to check it out at least once and if you park your car here you have to save your receipt and spend at least $75 or more then show it to valet and they will give you a ticket so validate parking or else you will have to pay $125 for parking so keep that in mind when coming here. read more

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We booked a table to get a good view of the park and maybe have some good or interesting food. The view of the park and the overall atmosphere of the restaurant is top notch (it's a very beautiful space). The service wasn't bad. Our server did his job without any fuss or frills. However, the food and drinks left a lot to be desired. We ordered the Tableside 32oz Tomahawk Experience ($165.00). It came with an optional side of potatoes ($10.00) and included grilled veggies and 3 sauces. It was... alright. Nothing special, which, given the price, was rather disappointing. The steak was slightly cold, though it came out cooked to our liking otherwise. One note... the 32oz designation includes the weight of the (rather large) bone. It was fine for 2 people, but I wouldn't plan say... a dinner... around it. If I was just looking to have a few cocktails, then I think it would probably be good or decent. However, if you're going for the food, you should definitely go elsewhere. read more

Bar Helios - Tableside 32 OZ. Tomahawk Experience (e.g. Steak and Grilled Cherry Tomatoes + Carrots) - Seafood Near Me - Orlando, Florida

If you're looking for a rooftop cocktail experience that balances high-end creativity with old-school hospitality, Bar Helios delivers in a big way. I kicked things off with the Athenian Milk Punch ($26), and it was everything I hoped for--smooth and complex with Angel's Envy from the Helios Barrel Selection, a touch of Metaxa Ouzo, and brightness from mint tea and lemon. It's a bold, unique flavor that still manages to be totally approachable. Then came the Irish Coffee ($16)--and here's where the service really stood out. They didn't have hot coffee ready upstairs yet, so what did the bartender do? Walked downstairs to grab some. No hesitation. No "we can't." Just good old-fashioned customer service. The drink was perfectly built, and they even offered cream on the side so I could make it to my taste. For dessert, I had The Shattered Rose ($32)--and trust me, the name doesn't do the experience justice. It's an interactive presentation with a rose dipped in liquid nitrogen that you get to shatter over a warm babka bread pudding. I had Amydo the smashing (she had no clue what was going on ), and honestly, it was such a fun and unique way to finish the night. The dessert itself? Warm, gooey perfection paired with a cool, spiced cardamom gelato. Every detail felt intentional. The drinks, the presentation, and most of all--the people--made Bar Helios feel elevated yet unpretentious. Already looking forward to going back. Oh and did I mention it overlooks one of the best theme parks in Orlando! read more

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Grabbed drinks and some small bites with friends. The bar is beautifully themed to the constellations and gives amazing views of the park Epic Universe. We made reservations and parked in the garage. We opted to car pool since you have to spend a significant amount to receive validated parking. The hostess was kind as well as our server. He was able to explain various drinks we asked about and guide us to the right snacks. We shared a farmers cheese that was very light and full of flavor. Very interested cheese spread, but wish it came with more bread so you can even it out. I ordered two drinks the Athenian milk punch which was very delicious but the after taste caught me off guard (in a good way) as well as the clash of the titans which was very refreshing but the cheese threw me off. Next time I won't let it soak in the alcohol. Restrooms were super clean and loved the views of both idrive and the theme park. Our reservation overlapped with the night time show which was amazing to watch from above. I can see why people like it but it is very expensive so I won't be back anytime but glad I did get the chance to experience it. read more

The service (especially the bartenders) has always been fabulous here. If anything it has improved since it's been open for a little over a month now. The bartenders will work with you on recommendations due to your taste buds. Don't feel bad if something doesn't work out or wasn't what you were expecting. I have a massive aversion to mint and didn't realize I drinks custom mixer was made with mint. They were happy to get me a different drink without any issues. Make sure you step out of usual cocktails. This is the spot to try new and creative ones. The shattered rose dessert is well worth the cost as it's truly an experience. We have now done it twice and everyone loves it. My kids are adventurous eaters and I wasn't sure well the dessert would work with them since it's made with more complex spices. My youngest is obsessed with it! Remember it's FL, so the view may not always be perfect and a rainstorm will limit their capacity too. The decor is beautiful. It's hard not to stare at the ceiling the entire time. Make sure you make a reservation as this books out quick especially on the weekends. Hotel guests as of now don't have priority towards seating. read more

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Excellent service, food, and an incredible ambiance. We very much enjoyed our dinner here and highly recommend making reservations. The shrimp were very large. The crab had a great flavor. We finished off with the Sphere, which was a show as well as a sweet dessert to end the meal with. read more

A very beautiful rooftop bar and restaurant. The view of the park is excellent with nice cocktails. Pricey but food portions were good read more

Bar Helios - Farmers cheese - Seafood Near Me - Orlando, Florida

I was so excited to explore Bar Helios and there are still some opening kinks that stop this location from being a 5 star experience. I want to emphasize that this is an amazing bar! The views, sounds, and entire experience is incredible! They have a spacious circular bar, as well as accompanied tables and outdoor seating as well. I really appreciated that. I also love the fact it's the roof (10th floor) of the grand Helios hotel. It was light drizzling out, so they wouldn't sit anyone outside for the epic universe park views which is unfortunate they couldn't make that area covered. However, I feel the waitstaff demeanors hurt the experience for me. For being the third day of official opening (I don't count the hotel opening earlier than expected as it was originally opening on May 22nd) I would expect to be greeted kindly and treated with respect, but I do not feel I was given that at all. The hostess area and greeter were not welcoming and wouldn't allow me to ask questions about seating. I also wanted to watch the Florida Panthers game at the bar, and had to ask three times as they kept subsequently turning off the game (after the third time, I told them I was leaving to watch it elsewhere as the bartender was very unfriendly). You would think they would want to show a home Florida team in the Stanley cup playoffs at the bar but I digress. I wanted to order a couple more drinks and an appetizer but I was so turned off by that experience that I left. However, the bartender that made my espresso martini was very cheerful and accommodating, so it's not all that should be lumped in that lack of welcoming demeanor. However, the price for the espresso martini was $20, which is kinda expected for this elevated bar experience but it wasn't listed on the menu. I will give it the benefit of the doubt that it is fairly new, but the unwelcoming behavior for being so new threw me off completely. I hope the next time I visit these issues will be worked out. read more

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A great environment, where you can enjoy the Orlando view or the epic park .. just a place to relax and have good cocktails . Good tapas with creative names in a futuristic vibe. The service at the bar was on point, good place.. whenever you want a gateway place, consider this one. read more

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Parking is $125 for self park, $128 for valet, however it is comped if you meet the minimum spend of $75. **rest of review coming soon** read more

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Be warned: management's attitude is abysmal. Before our visit, we spent some time scouring the online menu and reading reviews. One item caught our eye: the taramasalata included with the "Spreads & Mezze" dish. Bloggers recommended it, posting photos of a pale orange spread topped with roe. Menus in person described the dish as "Marinated Mediterranean olives, taramasalata, za'atar labneh, hummus, grilled pita" for $23. The online menu for Bar Helios still shows this description. We ordered the Spreads & Mezze along with several other dishes, extra sides of bread, and a round of cocktails. Easily corrected misstep 1: no one asked about allergies, host or server. Luckily we don't have any; what followed could have been a serious problem for anyone who does. Misstep 2: When we ordered the dish, the server made no mention of changes. Misstep 3: When it was dropped off by a food runner, they did not explain the dips. We noticed the dips looked different than the photos online, and none had roe on top. On first bite, it was clear that one was hummus and another was labneh. Two people tried the third dip and said it barely tasted like seafood; when I tried it, I was sure it was baba ghanoush. We did eat a portion of the dish before the server came by again, trying to figure out what it was. When he came back, we asked for clarification; he confirmed it was baba ghanoush. We expressed our disappointment - the taramasalata was the main reason we'd ordered the dish. He told us that we weren't the first to complain about this exact thing. Again, easy fixes: update the online menu; until new copies can be printed, let people who order the dish know about the change. Our server was apologetic and offered to get his manager, which we appreciated. Of the 4 members of our party, 3 of us have worked in hospitality management, so we knew what to expect - management would listen to our concerns and sincerely apologize for the situation, and maybe offer to take the dish off of our bill. We just wanted to make sure they knew about the issues. Fernando was ice-cold and downright condescending as soon as he came to our table. Even if we were all in Universal t-shirts (as were most groups around us), it was easy to glance at our table and see that we'd ordered $200+ of food and drink, so his immediate hostility was shocking. When we explained the issue and that we'd ordered the dish because we were excited about the taramasalata, Fernando's excuses varied: the menu has been updated, except for the copies on our table (which he grabbed out of our hands and kept); it isn't seafood, it's roe; it isn't roe, it's paste; you ate part of it, you should have sent it back if it wasn't what you wanted (even if we had no way of knowing that). He acted like we were rude for bringing our concerns up in the first place. After running out of ways to blame us, he went to leave without so much as an "I'm sorry", so we asked if there was anything he could do. His response was that he didn't have the ability to make adjustments to checks, and then he left, leaving us far more frustrated than we'd been before. The next time our server came by, he asked if we were ready for the check. Our baffled faces confused him; when he asked what was wrong, we told him it was fine and asked for the check, resolving to just bring our concerns to hotel management so someone might be able to benefit from the feedback. He had no idea what happened with Fernando; he went inside and we could see him trying to figure it out. Fernando himself never came back, but he did take $10 off our bill, which our server informed us of. It felt like an insult at that point - I would rather speak to a manager who listens and apologizes sincerely than get compensation (not to mention his lie about not being able to do anything). We later spoke to a front desk manager who heard our concerns, apologized, and even helped cover breakfast the next day, going above and beyond; that exemplary service is what we expect at Lowes/Universal, not being berated like children when pointing out a menu error and allergen concerns. (Ironically, when talking to the front desk manager, we mentioned the taramasalata, and he said "oh, that's the one with the fish roe!" before deflating when we said it was the item that was cut, which had us all finally cracking a smile.) Bar Helios has some kinks to work out. If you're going to go, ask your server for details on the menu items, and if you have any allergies, advocate for yourself. I hope that they can get all of the issues resolved, because the venue is beautiful and I'd love to go back, as long as I never have to speak with Fernando again. read more

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Upscale Energy with Killer Cocktails and a Fun Dessert. Visited on a Friday night and the vibe was upscale and energetic, with nice EDM-style music keeping the energy buzzing. The decor is stunning -- beautifully done and definitely adds to the experience. We were a party of six and ended up waiting about an hour to be seated with a reservation because the rain wiped out the outdoor tables. Most of the seating is designed for parties of two to four, and only those smaller groups can snag the coveted park-view tables by the window. Larger groups like ours get cozy in the lounge area toward the back or side, with couches, chairs, and low coffee tables. Since we mostly ordered appetizers, the setup worked out fine -- just not the perfect view we were hoping for. Speaking of food, we tried the crab cake, Wagyu sliders, beef skewers, calamari, and crispy chicken wings. The wings and sliders were my favorites, but everything was really solid. For dessert, we went for the "shattered rose," which was a total showstopper -- they dip a rose in liquid nitrogen and you clap it to shatter the petals all over a babka bread pudding and cardamom gelato. The bread pudding was a bit dry and not as warm or gooey as I like, and the cardamom gelato was definitely an acquired taste that didn't win me over. The cocktails were outstanding -- we tried the Athenian Milk Punch, Mount Olympus, Cinnamon Espresso Martini, and The Night Goddess, and honestly, I'd order any of them again in a heartbeat. They nailed every one. Service was okay. Nothing exceptional, and we had to remind them a couple of times about missing items. Not a dealbreaker, but worth noting. Overall, Bar Helios delivers on atmosphere and drinks, with some tasty bites and a memorable dessert experience. Would definitely come back, especially if you're into creative cocktails and a lively, upscale crowd. read more

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After a long day at Epic, it was time for some upscale food and drink. This tapas bar opened at 4 pm . The staff were professional and friendly. The cocktails were expertly made and were delicious. Equally so was the food. Miguel was amazing as was his co-bartender. We sat at the bar which was beautiful. I highly recommend this retreat in the sky. read more

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Such a cool bar!! I highly recommend requesting outdoor seating with a view of the park during the evening. Watching the evening light show is literally better from the bar than down on the ground inside the park. The food and drink is EXPENSIVE, but worth it for the view I think. I just recommend that you don't plan to have a full dinner here. The nibbles are very tasty and interesting (like octopus and squid), but small portion sizes and high price. The drinks are also very cool and themed after the four elements. read more

Great ambiance! Amazing food! Friendly and Helpful staff. Couldn't stop looking at the ceiling. Beautiful view of Epic Universe is an added bonus. Try the grilled octopus and the charcuterie. read more

Bar Helios - Charcuterie platter from Bar Helios - Seafood Near Me - Orlando, Florida

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The food and drinks here were great, and we loved the ambience. However, we had terrible service. Our waitress took 20 minutes to run our check and walked by our table many times while we waited. When we asked if we could get it run, she just looked at us and said "it takes a minute." This was after fifteen minutes of waiting. read more

Full review to come, but initial notes include spectacular views and atmosphere, a very promising menu, and music that is a bit too loud and intrusive (think urban dance club). read more

Bar Helios - Seafood Near Me - Orlando, Florida

Bar Helios is the place to be from 8:55 PM to 9:15 PM for the light show--hands down the best view of the entire park! The cocktails are good, and while the drinks are a nice touch, I'd honestly come here just for the atmosphere. It's such a unique and relaxing spot. Overall, a really good place--perfect for a date night or just to take in the views with a drink in hand. Highly recommend catching the show here! read more

Views were amazing! Don't come here unless you sit outside because the view at night is unbelievable, you can see that whole park in all of its glory with all of the beautiful lights on. Stay until 10pm though because the light and fountain show is outstanding! The food was average but not bad at all, the chocolate moose desert was super cool and tasty. I recommend eating here if you're at the Helios. read more

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Went for a late reservation to have desserts. We ordered the Shattered Rose bread pudding and the Undersmoke chocolate mousse cake. I don't know how they smoked this cake, but it was amazing. I enjoyed every bite and couldn't believe how the smoke brought out the flavor of the cake. So delicious! The Shattered Rose is a definite must! She froze the rose with black ice, then had our son smash the rose over the plate and the petals burst all over the dessert. I was very hesitant to try it because I never had roses on my food before, but this dessert was absolutely amazing! I've never had anything like it before, just so good! My only complaint is that they don't serve coffee. I know it's a bar, but I'm sure I'm not the only one who likes coffee with dessert. Please consider adding coffee to the menu! read more

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This was a very strange and disappointing experience. My husband and I had been looking forward to this place for over a month, from when I booked it. I booked it for our honeymoon trip, and we were planning on having several drinks and dinner. I had requested that we sit outside or by a window, so we could see the view of epic universe (the only reason we wanted to go here). When we arrived I informed the host of our reservation, and he said "unfortunately we only have seats inside". I was a little annoyed since I had made a reservation pretty far in advance, but I thought they must have been busy. We were sat in a corner, with a very minor view of the window. Since the main reason we wanted to have dinner here was the view of epic universe, we decided to only have a drink and then go look at the outside seating. When we stepped outside to take some pictures we were baffled, there were ~15 open tables and one couple sitting out there! But we were sat in a corner? After I requested to sit near a view? We went from feeling mildly disappointed to feeling angry. They clearly had room to sit us by the view of epic universe, but they didn't for some reason. I would completely understand if it was too crowded or something but this was not the case. I will say the drinks were great! The bar tenders know what they are doing. And our server was fairly good, but he seemed a little annoyed that we only got drinks. Bar Helios definitely lost some money, because since it was a special occasion for us we had plans to order a lot more than two drinks. Overall, a disappointing trip that could have been an amazing one. read more

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We came to Bar Helios for drinks Thanksgiving weekend. From the moment we walked in, the staff was so friendly and accommodating. Our group of 6 had drinks and appetizers, both of which were amazing. A warning that if you are looking for a table overlooking the theme park, you can't be larger than a group of 4. The outside tables have heaters overtop which is a nice touch on a windy day! Demi was a wonderful waitress and we hope to have her every time we come in! read more

Food, drinks and service were outstanding. View of the park is amazing and the theming is just gorgeous. A must visit before going into the park. Helps you get an idea of the scope of the park. Enrique is the best bartender around. Would go back for him alone! read more

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Great customer service exceptional food. I came here for a date night it did not disappoint. I will be returning.

I think for what this place has advertised itself to be and the price point it's at, our experience at Bar Helios definitely was underwhelming. I have years of experience working in upscale hotels and one of the first things you're trained about is greeting guests, so it was just uncomfortable walking up to the hostess stand and just being stared at. The guest should not have to be the one to greet and welcome the hostess. Our server was nice enough but a few things missed the mark. We came early, like 4:00pm so the place was not crowded at all yet our waters were not refilled and check backs at a bare minimum. I also really hate when servers drop the dessert menu after you've taken 2 bites of your food, I don't think you should feel rushed at an establishment like this. For food we ordered the Ora king salmon, fried halloumi and wagyu sliders. Everything was tasty but the wagyu sliders were dry which was a big let down considering this was raved about by bloggers. I'm not sure if our server could've asked our preferred temp for the sliders, but again those are the little things I'd expect at this price point. The decor is really special and of course the views are stunning which is part of what you're paying for, but I just feel it missed on some basic service standards. I was really excited and looking forward to trying out Bar Helios, the whole property is advertised as providing an "exceptional" experience but ours was just okay. Next time I'd probably just come back for a drink or two at the bar. read more

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I want to start by saying I eat at a lot of high-end restaurants in Miami, so I know what good quality and service look like. Unfortunately, this place missed the mark. The tomahawk was definitely not 32oz and came out cold. The flavor was fine, but not close to worth $165. The crab cake was bland and didn't taste fresh, and the portion was tiny for the price. The octopus was a decent size, but again, it didn't taste fresh. Service was also underwhelming. After finishing my appetizer, the server took my fork and never brought another one. When my entree came, I ended up eating with a knife and my kid's fork because the server didn't return for about 15-20 minutes. The ambiance and views are beautiful, no question there. But the food quality, portion sizes, and level of service just don't justify the price. read more

The view and the drinks are amazing and the service is wonderful. They have an interesting menu of food and I recommend the beet salad. If you like beets it is something you need to try. read more

The service, the drinks, the food, all of it amazing! Plus you can go out on the deck and have a 5 star view of the new Epic Universal Theme Park! We had the Mount Olympus, Clash of the Titans (pictured), This is Sparta, and Athenian Milk Punch - and loved each of them. The sliders and farmer's cheese were also delicious (only thing missing is a few extra pieces of bread for the cheese). read more

Bar Helios - Clash of the Titans - Seafood Near Me - Orlando, Florida

I think the atmosphere and views are absolutely beautiful and eye pleasing. However, the reasoning for the poor review is that the food options are terrible. With few options on the menu, the size of the portions you get are incredible small and then tastes terrible. I ordered the short ribs, which was awful, and my wife ordered a crab cake which was not much larger than a quarter. To top it off, the prices were way over the top. My family of 4 paid over $200 and we left looking for a place we can actually eat dinner. read more

The drinks are ok but it's over priced and we left hungry becuase the food wasn't great. The service was ok and the bar itself is pretty small with nothing really curating a good vibe. read more

Food was very disappointing. Nothing was hot. Meats were tough. Very overpriced for the quality/amount. Nice view/ambiance though but would not go out of my way to return and if I did I would only get drinks. read more

My birthday dinner here was so very special! There were six of us and we all had great food, good conversation, and a good time. We shared all the 3 appetizers and loved them all! Especially the olives! Although I waited a bit long for my scallops, they were superb! At the end of our meal, a wonderful dessert was brought out and garnished with frozen red rose petals. Nice presentation! And yummy sweet treat! We will return! read more

This is a disappointment. I called a month in advance and made a reservation for my daughter and son-in-laws anniversary. I was told to wait until 8 pm so we could see the fountain show and that they would put us on that side for the celebration. Now we are here and we were told they could not do that. I was also going to come here after dinner for their signature dessert, but was told that they are a restaurant and we should eat here instead. They are not a restaurant! They are an expensive tapas bar. They sell small plates only!!! This restaurant is a disappointment. Which is sad because the food and ambiance wasn't bad, but it's not worth the price. read more

the actual service of the bar was fantastic but i couldn't recommend less not coming here if you're not a hotel guest. they will refuse to let you in for your reservation, and then charge you $25 per head if you no show. had to go back and forth with the most god awful door attendant to not get charged $50 for her mistake. read more

Insane view. If you're not staying at Helios, eat there. If you're staying at Helios with park room view, skip. Overpriced and small portions read more