Featuring new natural gourmet dishes carefully crafted by Executive Chef Frank Jeannetti

(TRAVPR.COM) USA - June 24th, 2011 - Essensia Restaurant at The Palms Hotel & Spa introduces a new seasonal summer menu. Fresh and flavorful, the new menu continues to exemplify Essensia’s natural gourmet concept by utilizing wholesome, locally sourced, organic, and seasonal ingredients to create dishes that are bursting with natural flavor – “the pure essence of taste”.

“In our fifth installment, this menu truly represents Essensia’s natural gourmet philosophy,” said Executive Chef Frank Jeannetti. “One of my favorite dishes is the Szechuan Spiced Beef Salad. Full of flavor and intensely aromatic, the salad features organic pea shoots from Paradise Farms, grass fed marinated skirt steak, red onion, grilled pineapple and local sweet bell peppers drizzled with a sambal and ginger soy dressing. Cool and refreshing with an Asian bite, it’s the perfect summer salad.”

Additional menu highlights include Chilled Cucumber & Avocado Soup served with Mint Yogurt; Vegetable Napoleon featuring yellow frisée, shaved fennel, pencil asparagus, sriracha roasted red pepper coulis and toasted pine nuts; Organic Arugula & Grilled Summer Peach Salad served with Prosciutto di Parma, grilled peaches, crumbled farm raised goat cheese and fig balsamic syrup; Pan Seared Local Cobia served with citrus quinoa salad, enoki mushrooms, capers and orange infused oil; and Flame Roasted Bone In Rib Eye Steak served with chive roasted fingerling potatoes, haricots verts and Maytag blue cheese-horseradish crème fraiche.

Pastry Chef Gail Goetsch created an array of exquisite and inventive desserts for the summer menu including Passion Fruit Panna Cotta served with Tropical fruit salsa, basil syrup and flaxseed crostini; Summer Plum Crisp served with honey oat streusel, ginger cream puffs, and toasted almond ice cream; and Pineapple Semifreddo served with coconut macaroons and organic mamey coulis.

Recently revamped, Essensia’s Sunday Brunch will continue to be available every Sunday from 11:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., featuring an extensive breakfast buffet and brunch a la carte menu offering a scrumptious selection of wholesome, seasonal, and natural gourmet brunch favorites, smoothies and natural cocktails in a leisurely and relaxed ambiance. Ideal for families and larger parties, Essensia’s favorite dining settings are its outdoor terraces amidst tropical foliage and views of the pool and private beach areas.

About Essensia Restaurant & Lounge
Essensia awakens the senses with natural gourmet cuisine and indulgent cocktails in a sensuous and relaxing ambiance. Directed by Executive Chef Frank Jeannetti and Pastry Chef Gail Goetsch, the menu offers patrons a wholesome variety of fresh and light worldly fare with a genuine focus on utilizing local, organic, and seasonal ingredients, and a wide selection of low calorie Spa selections. Essensia’s wine list is committed to being highly sustainable, organic or biodynamic and has been selected for sharing Essensia’s mission to be good for you and the environment. Essensia features intimate indoor dining as well as al-fresco seating under The Palms’ covered terrace and poolside deck. Inspired by the nature surrounding the hotel, Essensia is the perfect setting for dining with friends and family. 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.

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