Farm-to-table on South Beach at Essensia

Essensia has been at the forefront of the farm-to-table movement in South Beach and is a mainstay for creative, seasonal and local fare including a nice selection of vegan, vegetarian and gluten free options. Conveniently located on Collins Avenue but tucked away in The Palms Hotel & Spa, Essensia has a breezy wrap-around terrace surrounded by tropical gardens that’s perfect al fresco dining year round.

Essensia is also home to an organic chef garden, personally overseen by Chef Venoy, and even serves up garden-to-glass ‘conscious cocktails’ made with herbs from the garden, organic/craft spirits, and seasonal produce. Chef  Rogers  comes  to  Miami  by  way  of  San  Diego,  where  he  was  most  recently  Executive  Sous   Chef  and  Interim  Executive  Chef  at  W  San  Diego.  As  he  takes  the  reigns  at  Essensia,  he  plans  to   maintain  its  local,  organic  and  seasonal  approach,  while  adding  his  personalized  ‘New   American  fusion’  to  the  menu.  Chef  Rogers  created  the  Miami  Spice  menus  and  will  reveal  his   full  menus  for  Essensia  in  October.   “My  philosophy  in  the  kitchen  is  deVinitely  to  have  fun  with  food  and  express express myself from the heart,” Chef Rogers said. “To make good food you need great ingredients. Essensia will still be organic and healthy — but in a way that’s unique and unexpected.”

To expand upon Essensia’s farm-to-table concept, Chef Rogers has already created new partnerships with Florida farms that will enhance the menu with more locally sourced ingredients. In conjunction with Miami-based Rock Garden Farm, Chef Rogers has built a new program for Essensia’s on-site Chef Garden, which has 750 square feet of herbs and fresh produce. He’s also working with J&C Tropicals to grow mangoes and other fruits, and with Florida Fresh Herbs to designate spaces in their organic greenhouses exclusively for Essensia and The Palms Hotel.

 From the menu:

CORN & PASILLA SOUP (GF)

Roasted South Florida Sweet Corn, Pasilla Peppers

HOUSE POTATO GNOCCHI (VG)

Local Arugula, Aged Parmesan, Truffle

TEMPURA AVOCADO (VG)

Cilantro Lime Cre me Fraî che, Tomato Chipotle Jam

Gulfs Bounty Seafood, Mango, Sweet Pepper

TUNA & COMPRESSED WATERMELON*

Cilantro, Avocado, Wakame, Green Apple

Chiles, Mango-Sriracha Aioli, Sesame

Tomato, Kalamata Olive, Capers, Extra Virgin Olive

Cilantro Dusted Popcorn

ROCK SHRIMP & CALAMARI

Oil Garden Herbs, Herb Crostini

ESSENSIA HOUSE SALAD (VV)

Tender Greens, Garden Vegetables, Heirloom

Tomato, Roasted Shallot-Balsamic Vinaigrette

BABY BEET & BURRATA (VG)

GULF CEVICHE

Tomato, Chive, Citrus

Heirloom Tomato, Beet Soil

Pistachio, Pumpernickel

SIGNATURE KALE CAESAR

Local Kale, Shaved Parmesan, Toasted Pepitas

House Croutons, Anchovy Vinaigrette

WATERMELON CAPRESE (VG)

Local Buffalo Mozzarella, Heirloom Tomato, Basil

MAINS

Sweet Potato-Manchego Mille Feuille, Spinach

CERTIFIED ANGUS BEEF NY STRIP*

CERTIFIED ANGUS BEEF SIRLOIN*

Add Broiled Lobster Tail MP

Potato-Parsnip Croquette, Smoked Wild Mushrooms, Baby Cabbage

Squid Ink Farro, Summer Peas, Fava Beans, Spicy Harissa

Parmesan-Pea Polenta, Chile-Corn Relish

Certified Angus Beef, House Made Parmesan-Potato Gnocchi

Eggplant Vadouvan, Young Carrots, Mango-Coconut-Yogurt

GULF SHRIMP & CHORIZO

PAN SEARED NATURAL CHICKEN

GNOCCHI CARIBE

South Florida Okra, Sofrito

LOCAL SNAPPER

GRILLED SWORDFISH

Corn-Pepper Relish, Summer Squash

ROCK SHRIMP & CALAMARI PASTA

Fresh Pasta, Tomato, Kalamata Olive, Capers, Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Garden Herbs

Fresh Pasta, White Wine-Garlic Cream, Fava Beans, Aged Parmesan

SHELLFISH CARBONARA

Farm Egg Yolk, Crispy Prosciutto

GRILLED MARKET VEGETABLES (VV)

Asparagus, Carrots and Avocado, Summer Peas, Garden Herbs, Local Arugula

Sweet Potato, Quinoa, Aged Balsamic

VEGETARIAN PASTA (VG)

Fresh Pasta, Bell Pepper Pesto, Summer Squash, Asparagus, Local Wild Mushrooms

SIDES

Essensia Garden Herb Orzo

Ancient Grains Risotto

Parmesan-Pea Polenta

Heirloom Potatoes

Caramelized Brussel Sprouts

Sweet Potato Puree

Summer Vegetable

Local Farm Greens

Some Essential Cocktails inlcude a delicious and refreshing:

Hand-crafted with the freshest seasonal fruits, Essensia garden herbs, organic and artisanal premium

spirits Crop Organic Vodka, Aperol, Fresh Lemon, Basil

Campari Tomatoes and a Pinch of Salt

Bon Apetit!