Essensia Restaurant & LoungeWe were staying at anotherWe were staying at another big hotel in the area with a large late night scene. This restaurant was a great getaway for a quiet dinner for two. The hotel lobby at the Palm is beautiful - a must see if you are into the old restored hotel. Makes you feel a little like key west. We ate on the porch and had a wonderful meal. Fresh ingredients and impeccable service!6/15/2013 12:00:00 AMVegetarians seekingAs vegetarians, we have learned to be satisfied with what we find and usually resort to salads. Not true here! The menu contains fresh local ingredients and well-prepared vegetarian choices. One of the chefs visited our table (and others) to see how we enjoyed our meal and invited us back to enjoy upcoming vegetarian choices!5/9/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat day or nightHave here for brunch only, never dinner. I have say that I really enjoyed both. It's a great place to eat day or nigh. The food is equally as good for brunch, lunch, and dinner. I will definitely be back!5/5/2013 12:00:00 AMEnjoyed a very nice dinnerEnjoyed a very nice dinner for 4 locals at Essensia on a recent saturday night. Our reservation for 8 pm was well accomodated and had nice table on the porch overlooking the tropical green space- very pleasant. All enjoyed excellent salads featuring local produce and seasonings. Dinner choices included fish, steak and chicken with all parties happy with their entrees. I had the Paiche fish, some kind of river fish from S. America that was excellent and very tasty. Service was attentive and pace was good.
Will definitely return as food is a notch above competitors. A bit overpriced - but what isn't?4/13/2013 12:00:00 AMA sumptous dinner in tropics ...My friend and I were referred to Essensia for dinner and thought we'd eat outside on the porch. We walked the grounds before dinner with exotic bar drinks in-hand. It reminded me of Southeastern Asia with large banana leaf plants and palms. Essensia Restaurant is absolutely delicious with fresh farm to table food options and an exciting menu. I had the short rib dish which melted in my mouth. Our waiter was friendly and efficient but we did notice a large amount of family activity even after 8 pm on the porch. The noise at times was highly distracting and people did very little to quiet the children. We asked to move inside and were thrilled once we got to sit in the beautiful dining room to enjoy the ambiance there.4/13/2013 12:00:00 AMNice new find on Miami BeachNice to find outdoor dining in Miami. Wonderful outdoor garden grown by the chef with daily specials planned by the most fresh and seasonal selections. Vegetarian options that have great flavor and not just a plate of steamed bland broccoli! Service was great inside however, sort of hotel feeling. Better to be outside where it was more ambiance.3/30/2013 12:00:00 AM