Essensia at The Palms Hotel & Spa ~ Fab Miami Guide

Last night I was invited to experience Essensia, the gourmet restaurant at The Palms Hotel. This was actually my first visit to the hotel and I fell in love. It has all the bohemian Miami Beach charm, yet still so sophisticated and elegant.The food at Essensia was nothing short of incredible - from the seafood appetizer special and the Orchid Petal Salad (rumor has it that this salad is a favorite of the Kardashian sisters) to the Cinnamon-Cranberry Braised Beef Short Ribs and Grass-Fed Angus Sirloin. But before I even ordered, our knowledeable waiter Omar gave us the full low down on Executive Chef Frank Jeannetti who crafts his dishes using local, seasonal, sustainable and organic ingredients from places such as Paradise Farms in Homestead. Jeannetti's pedigree includes time at The Biltmore, Pacific Time, and Nemo. At Essensia, he's developed a menu which is populated with a healthful blend of global cuisine.After indulging in two fine selections from the dessert menu - the Meyer Lemon Tart and the Strawberry Panna Cotta - a walk around the hotel was in order. From the lush tropical gardens to the garden gazebo, The Palms is a little slice of paradise.