With Epic Universe visible on the skyline, Universal Stella Nova Resort appreciates that it needs to be its own portal to an astronomical experience. Beyond the vibrantly colored façade, the doors open and transport guests to a taste of the cosmos. With each bite and sip, guests soar higher with the out of this world experience.
Staying at a Universal Orlando Resort property is more than close convenience to the theme parks. Each location has a unique experience. From a taste of the South Pacific at Royal Pacific to the 50s vibe at Cabana Bay, guests appreciate the little touches that make the properties unique.
At the recently opened Stella Nova Resort, the theme channels the cosmos. Although no one is literally blasting off into the great beyond, the celestial touches bring the vastness of space down to Earth.
The property achieves this thematic experience with more than a particular selfie hallway or curious décor. While those moments are great for the socials, the real, tangible experiences get people talking in the real world and entice them to book another stay.
Food and beverages are vital to that memorable stay. The culinary team, led by Chef Daniel Salomon, Complex Executive Chef at Universal Stella Nova Resort and Universal Terra Luna Resort, made every effort to ensure that each dish and drink had a nod to the overall theme. Some connections are overt, and others are more subtle.
Recently, Chef Daniel Salomon gracious answered some questions about the food and beverage offerings at Stella Nova. Since storytelling is a vital component to all the food and beverage menus across Universal Orlando Resort, Chef Daniel explained the Stella Nova story as follows.
“When you visit Stella Nova, you feel as if you’re on a spaceship. The interior colors and exterior waves transport you to somewhere else in the galaxy. Stella Nova has two incredible bars and they’re both unique in their own way. At Galaxy Bar, our beverage and cocktail offerings are named after constellations. At Nova Bar, they are named after stars, making them a conversation piece that brings people together. You can sip a cocktail under the stars or unwind at Nova Bar in the hotel lobby. Either way, it’s truly an out-of-this-world experience.”
Given that there is an “out of this world” vibe woven into every aspect of the property, the menus reflect that mindset. Chef Daniel said, “we had fun sprinkling some cosmic magic into our drink menus to match the vibe of the resort.”
Specifically, he shared a few concepts that epitomize the theme. He shared, “our Stellar Collision cocktail at Galaxy Bar blends our tropical Calypso and Pleiades frozen drinks, creating a tasty and unique-looking cocktail in the process. The Black Hole espresso martini is inspired by our front drive’s black hole vortex, and it will transport your taste buds into another galaxy.”
While his flavor descriptions make anyone thirsty for these cocktails, the reality is that the food and beverage world understands that the visual is a key component to menu creation. It is more than just the avoidance of brown food on a plate. Food and beverages must be camera ready.
When asked about how the culinary team balanced both the visual and the taste, Chef Daniel appreciated that flavor gets guests ordering time and again. The visual might be the enticement, but flavor is the true measure of the menu.
Chef Daniel said, “during the opening, the response was overwhelming for simple dishes that were presented beautifully. I had the chance to speak with many guests one-on-one, and the response was overwhelming. They loved the visual experience and taste of our food.”
“Our Rigel cocktail, featuring a starfruit garnish, brings a touch of the cosmos to the drink and our Stuffed Croissant is bursting with colors that match our hotel's eye-catching tiles.” These two examples are just a few of the many expressive items.
While many guests are willing to go on a flavor adventure, others prefer to fill the table with more familiar food choices. Catering to everyone’s preferences is a priority for the culinary team.
Chef Daniel shared, “we have families and Universal adventurers looking for more variety in our menus. Across the hospitality industry, the mighty burger is still the number-one seller. Our twist is offering a smashed double patty instead of a classic patty, which quickly becomes a favorite.”
“We also have six individual pizza variations. Many guests staying for several nights like to try multiple options and the Hot Honey Chicken Pizza is a great option for adventurous diners. This is our take on chicken katsu tossed in buffalo sauce, with a house-made garlic cream, grilled corn, sweet caramelized onions, and a house made chili oil to finish. The menus offer a little something for everyone.”
Given its proximity to Epic Universe, the Stella Nova food needed to be unique to the resort. While guests will enjoy a Butterbeer Crepe after exploring the Ministry of Magic, Stella Nova is a place that celebrates its own special experiences.
Chef Daniel said, “Universal Epic Universe will create and capture some wonderful food concepts that will fit what their guests are looking for. Stella Nova, on the other hand, becomes a haven to unwind and relax after a long day at the park.”
“Our food and beverage menus are intentionally different. Stella Nova’s menu was designed for fresh-made comfort food served quickly, with the option to enjoy a cocktail at one of our two bars—Nova Bar or Galaxy Bar.”
What does Chef Daniel suggest as a few must eat and drink items at Stella Nova? He recommends the following, “for beverages, one of the most surprising cocktails is the Capella at Nova Bar. It features Grey Goose Vodka, St. Germain Elderflower, chipotle-pineapple syrup, and an absinthe spritz. As for food, the must-try items are the Croque Madame, Stuffed Corn Flake Croissant, Banana Walnut Pancakes, and the Sweet Monkey Bread.”
Ready to blast off into the flavorful food and beverage experiences at Stella Nova Resort? The property is open now. Epic Universe is set to open on May 22, 2025.