Essensia Restaurant - Natural Gourmet Dining and Seasonal Flavors

Essensia Restaurant – Natural Gourmet Dining and Seasonal Flavors

Essensia is an organic restaurant and lounge serving natural gourmet dining in Miami Beach. Located inside the eco-conscious, Palms Hotel & Spa, the restaurant follows its sustainable footsteps. Delivering an authentic farm-to-table experience. Herbs and vegetables are grown year-round in their on-site garden . Which are used in mouth-watering cocktails and dishes. While their winemakers are selected for adopting environmentally and socially responsible production practices. You are what you eat, so why not be mindful?

Essensia Restaurant & Lounge — **Essensia’s Terrace**

Lush palm trees and colorful flora cover the Palms Hotel & Spa‘s garden. Luckily, the restaurant’s terrace offers a perfect view of this tropical oasis. Essensia really does keep all the senses engaged. From sight, taste, smells… The entire ambiance is exquisite. But one of my favorite aspects of this restaurant are the seasonal flavors. Promising new innovative dishes every few months. Though we may not experience full winter in Miami, we sure can delight in its flavors. I was lucky enough to review last year’s winter menu. This season’s also met all my exceptions. Here’s some of the highlight dishes:

Winter Menu Highlights

The Salt-Baked Beets is an artfully crafted appetizer. Paired with Watercress, Starfruit Emulsion, Local Bee Pollen. With Beet Chips for crunch. And garnished with edible flowers from the Organic Chef’s Garden. This light starter is sweet and oozing with freshness.

For a richer bite, try the Spiny Lobster Risotto. This creamy delight also features Parmesan Cheese and Shaved Black Truffle for a nutty flavor. While Lemon Oil adds just the right splash of tart. Pairing perfectly with chunks of Spiny Lobster. And once again, the organic garden provides the Bronze Fennel and Garlic Chives Blossoms to finish it off.

Though, my favorite item on the Winter Menu is the Acorn Squash Gnocchi. Doused in Lamb Ragu with delicate shreds of meat. And creamy, nutty Ricotta Salata cheese.

Strawberry Fields Forever

While I love seeing the menu evolve, I’m also a huge fan of enjoying some of these dishes year-round. This year’s is “berry, berry” delicious. Above all, the Strawberry Gazpacho is a must. Essensia’s has been my favorite yet. The Heirloom Tomatoes and Peppered Goat Cheese contrast the sweetness perfectly. Though if you’d rather indulge in sugary fun, try the Strawberry Buttermilk Panna Cotta. It comes with Strawberry Gastrique, White Chocolate Powder, and Citrus Marigold. And did I mention both dishes are a gorgeous shade of pink? I don’t usually describe my food as “absolutely adorable”. But who’s lying?