Valentine's Day at the Palms Hotel & Spa Miami Beach

January 25, 2012

“Chef Julie’s passion for food, health, and sustainability is completely in line with Essensia’s philosophy and The Palms’ mission to being environmentally responsible.”

The above quote comes from The Palms Hotel and Spa'sGeneral Manager Hamid Abdulhafid, speaking of the recent addition of Chef Julie Frans to lead the hotel’s signature restaurant, Essensia. San Diego’s loss of the talented owner of Dining Details most certainly benefits the Miami Beach locals and tourists seeking global cuisine with premium ingredients and locally sourced produce, meats and seafood.

Following the tradition in presenting a farm-to-table approach, Essensia’s new menu items are inventive, healthy and flavorful. Nowhere is this more apparent than the six-course Food for Love Menu, lovingly prepared to ignite romance by serving dishes delicately crafted with ingredients destined to stimulate sensuality and gratification. The Valentine's Day menu below highlights those ingredients most noted for their immense capacity to encourage romance:

The evening commences with the wonderful Seafood Duo tasting featuring a Raw Oyster Wrapped in Ahi Sashimi served with Citrus Ponzu and Crab Salad, Beets, Crème Fraîche, Lime and Avocado.

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A carefully prepared Truffled Artichoke Soup delicately followed by Strawberries with Roasted Fennel, served with Local Baby Mustard Greens, Aged Goat Cheese, Candied Almonds and Honey Basil Vinaigrette.

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A Butter & Garlic Poached Lobster Tail with Caviar, Champagne Tarragon Sauce, Grilled Asparagus and Scallions will be served as the fourth course.

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The fifth course is a Coffee Crusted Rib Eye Filet with Fig Ancho Chocolate Demi and a Celery Root and Potato Puree.

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Last but not least, Banana Fritters with Peanut Butter Honey Ice Cream for dessert. The nectar of Aphrodite, honey is one of the most seductive foods in the world. Sticky, viscous, and deliciously sweet, honey is as much a sensual experience as it is a delicious indulgence.

The Food for Love Menu will be available Tuesday, February 14, and is $185* per couple. Private dinner service in the hotel’s Gazebo is available for $285* per couple, but reservations are required as space is limited. (*Prices do not include tax or gratuity.) For reservations, please call 305.908.5458 or visit the Essensia web site @ www.essensiarestaurant.com.



About Essensia Restaurant and Lounge

Essensia awakens the senses with natural gourmet cuisine and indulgent cocktails in a sensuous and relaxing ambiance. The menu offers patrons a wholesome and seasonal variety of light global fare with a genuine focus on utilizing local, organic, and seasonal ingredients. Essensia’s exclusive wine list is committed to being sustainable, organic or biodynamic and has been selected for sharing Essensia’s mission to being environmentally conscious.   Essensia is open 7 days per week for breakfast, lunch, dinner and Sunday brunch. The Palms offers complimentary valet parking with dinner, up to 3 hours. For restaurant reservations, please call 305.908.5458 or visit www.essensiarestaurant.com.