Palms Hotel

Best Mother's Day Brunch Deals in Miami

Your mother birthed you, fed you, clothed you, and defended you from the bully down the street. She put Bactine on your skinned knees and nursed you through your first heartbreak. Her thankless job included getting up early to wake your lazy butt for school, loaning you money when you spent your ren ... More >>

UnderGROUND Miami Tomorrow: Miami Chefs Cook Invasive Species

Invasive species are destroying our wildlife and local habitats. The biggest reason these transported critters do such damage is that they have no natural predators in our environment, but is that really the case? We can't discount the predator of all predators: Humans! It's time to eat the enemy. ... More >>

Poo for a Cause

St. Patrick's Day Guide: Pub Crawls, Parties, Green Food

Though St. Patrick's Day is not a legal holiday in the United States, it might as well be. After all, everyone is Irish on St. Paddy's Day, and there are few professions that allow for drinking a beer and working at the same time.Luckily, the holiday, celebrated March 17 in honor of Saint Patrick, t ... More >>

Miami Chefs Help Jump-Start Public School Breakfasts

Students all over the state are celebrating Florida School Breakfast Week, in which kids are encouraged to start their day with healthy chow.According to the Food Research and Action Center in Washington, D.C., children who eat a complete breakfast make fewer mistakes and work faster in math and num ... More >>

Miami Chefs Give Free Cooking Demonstrations For Miami Spice

For Miami Spice, some of Miami's top chefs are putting on cooking demonstrations around town durning the two month program -- even better, the demos are free and open to the public. Chefs from at least a dozen of Miami's best restaurants -- including Michael Aguilar of Wynwood Kitchen and Bar, Jorda ... More >>

Miami Spice 2012: The Good, The Great and The Grudging, Part One

Over the next three days, in the run-up to the August 1 roll-out of Miami Spice, I will rate the deals of some 50-plus menus as being good, great, or grudging.There has been a split in price categories this year, meaning there is now a "fine dining" grouping as well as a "luxury" grouping. The fine ... More >>

Transplant Chefs: Julie Frans', of Essensia, San Diego Roots

Miami's become a fledgling gourmet city, and chefs de cuisine from across nation (and world) head to our sunny shores to join our foodie renaissance. Given that we've only recently come into our culinary own, it's no surprise that our restaurants are awash with these eager out-of-towners.These chefs ... More >>

Sustainotopia Schedule: Eat Up and Learn

This year's Sustainatopia, takes place April 19-25 throughout Miami. It is one of the largest events in the world for social, financial and environmental sustainability. Its founder, local John Rosser, said it is designed to educate and create global participation and collaboration for folks from al ... More >>

Essensia Tropical Tour: New Gardens With a Side of Vino

​Walk through the Palms Hotel lobby and you'll find two large double doors at the end. They open onto a vast, dining terrace belonging to the restaurant, Essensia. Walk further down some stone steps, onto a pebble-covered pathway, and stroll past loads of lush foliage, peppered with tropical flow ... More >>

Essensia Lounge's New Happy Hour: Half-Off Organic Wines

​The Essensia Lounge, the speakeasy portion of The Palms Hotel & Spa, has a new happy hour tailored specifically for local sommeliers: Uncorked & Unplugged Thursdays, half off wines by the glass and bottles beginning this Thursday from 6 to 9 p.m.Ok, that's great, but what's so great about ... More >>

Common Threads Benefit: Exclusive Menu Preview

Michelle Bernstein will host the World Festival to benefit Common Threads​Coconut Grove's Cruz Building (in the old Christabelle's Quarter space) will turn into the United Nations for the second annual World Festival Miami tomorrow, November 15 to benefit Common Threads.Chef Michelle Bernstein wil ... More >>

Chef Frank Jeannetti Gone From Essensia UPDATED

Let's see if he makes lemonade.​Looks like Essensia's chef, Frank Jeannetti, has left for greener pastures. With a C.V. that includes a New York culinary school degree and an internship with Boulud, and gigs alongside Eismann and Schwartz, he's sure to land somewhere good. (Check out our interview ... More >>

Vending Machines Replacing Lunch Ladies in Miami-Dade Schools

​The machines are taking over the cafeteria. Starting this fall, some Miami-Dade students will be getting their school lunch from a vending machine and not Berta, the hairnet-clad lunch lady. Rest assured though, Junior won't be eating just corn chips and soda pop. The high tech machines serve hea ... More >>

Sippin' at Essensia

Rum Renaissance Festival Kicks Off a Weeklong Booze Fest Tonight

Photo by Justin NamonLast year's Rum Renaissance.​Rum aficionados rejoice as the third annual Rum Renaissance Festival kicks off tonight with Zombie Jamboree at the Mai Kai in Fort Lauderdale. this evening, it's all about the famous Zombie cocktail. Tiki torches and free flowing DonQ cocktails mar ... More >>

Essensia's Conscious Bite Out: A Recap

John ZurThe dining area before dinner. ​Last night, Conscious Bite Out's monthly dinner took place at chef Frank Jeannetti's Essensia at the Palms Hotel. The event was hosted by the event's founders, Marcela Andron and Veronica Menin. They stressed choosing restaurants that support vegan- and vege ... More >>

Essensia's Frank Jeannetti and His Naturally Wild Culinary Ride

Jeannetti knows his beans. And fruits. And veggies. And meats...​​Frank Jeannetti's name may not come up when people talk about the most recognizable chefs in Miami, but it should. One look over his resume would clue anyone in on the fact that this guy has really established himself here after b ... More >>

Prix Fixe on Valentine's

Essensia Comes to the Rescue With Valentine's Day Deal

Photo by billwisserphoto.com​If you're not a subscriber to our weekly Café Bites dining newsletter, here's a taste of what you're missing. Click here to subscribe.If you think taking your significant other out for a romantic dinner on Valentine's Day is too much amateur hour but don't exactly rel ... More >>

Green Dean's Purple Carrots, Black Radishes at The Forge, JB Kitchen and More

Courtesy Mr. Green DeanSwiss chard​​Mr. Green Dean is quite elusive.It was hard to get the farmer of exotic vegetables to answer our interview questions. And forget about a picture of him or even his full real name beyond, "My name is Dean."No matter--the important thing is that we know the name ... More >>

Chef Frank Jeanetti's Mashed Sweet Potatoes: A Thanksgiving Side For The Kids

via thepalmshotel.comExectutive Chef Frank Jeanetti​Essensia's Executive Chef Frank Jeanetti thinks traditional when it comes to planning a Thanksgiving meal, whether at home or in his restaurant. "I like to keep it simple and basic, but good," he says, adding that playing with ingredients also go ... More >>

World Festival Miami: Valet Hell

John Zur​It seemed troubling yesterday morning when only 140 of the $125 tickets for World Festival Miami at the Palms had sold. But a crowd of at least 300 showed and was greeted by bright-eyed, smiling kids who benefit from Common Threads, a nonprofit that educates mostly low-income ch ... More >>

World Festival Miami at The Palms: Tickets Now on Sale

Courtesy of thepalmshotel.comExecutive Chef Frank Jeannetti​On November 1 at 7:30 p.m., The Palms Hotel & Spa and executive chef Frank Jeannetti will host the 1st Annual World Festival Miami. Thirteen local and celebrity chefs, including Michelle Bernstein, John Critchley, Samuel Gorenstein, D ... More >>

New Issue of Edible South Florida

​The fall issue of Edible South Florida debuts today (Monday), and sadly, there are no scantily clad men on the cover. Instead, some sexy claws take the spotlight for this month's cover story: stone crab season. The issue also contains stories of hunting wild persimmons, planting a garden, women ... More >>

Michelle Bernstein, Jeff McInnis, and Kris Wessel to Cook for Common Threads Benefit

Courtesy of Mimi Chacin/Common ThreadsMaking sushi​Common Threads co-founder Art Smith will chair the first Miami benefit for the organization. It's a lineup worthy of an All-Star team if cooking had a midsummer classic.  Check the line-up: Michelle Bernstein, Jeff McInnis (Gigi), Sam Gorenst ... More >>

Essencia Lounge Makes A Big Deal About Thursday

​The Palms Hotel & Spa is once again touting a basketful of Thursday deals and steals:DEALS: From 6 to 10 p.m., guests at the Essensia Lounge will receive half-off all drinks and cocktails, and half-off all appetizers from chef Frank Jeannetti's luscious Lounge menu. And from 4 to 9 p.m., spa ... More >>

Essensia Restaurant & Lounge: Clean cuisine in a breezy outdoor setting

Sneak Review: Essensia Restaurant

Lee Klein​A small but nutritious bite of next week's restaurant review:The cuisine is tagged as "the pure essence of taste," which is the sort of boastful appraisal better left, I think, to restaurant critics. No denying, however, that the menu is chock full of healthful culinary concoctions. It a ... More >>

Essencia's Summer Kisses, Disses to Miss Yip and Miami Spice

​*Essencia Restaurant & Lounge at The Palms Hotel & Spa has just introduced a new summer menu. Executive chef Frank Jeannetti, who refers to his restaurant food as "the pure essence of taste", is including new items -- for instance, miso-glazed black cod with celery root puree and sha ... More >>

Four Picks for Father's Day in Miami

Michael1952 (commons.wikimedia.org)​Who said brunch was reserved for Mother's Day? On June 20, fathers can also enjoy unlimited mimosas bloody marys and lots of food at one of the local restaurants honoring dads with brunch.The Restaurant at The Setai is hosting an $85 jazz brunch for dads with no ... More >>

Talula at The Water Club, DJ at Essensia, Ortanique at School

​The Water Club is scheduled to open in late May in the former Miami Shooters location in the Intracoastal Mall, on the Intracoastal Waterway (3969 N.E. 163 St., North Miami Beach). The Water Club has undergone a multi-million dollar refurbishing and will seat more than 400 diners in a mix of indo ... More >>

Thursday Deals at Acqualina and Essencia; Outback Out, The Spot Removed

​$29 Dinner at EssensiaOn Thursday nights, Essensia Restaurant now features a special two-course dinner for $29. Executive chef Frank Jeannetti has been winning praise for his clean, innovative cooking style. Guests can choose between appetizer selections such as Ahi tuna two ways, pan-roasted sea ... More >>

Easter Brunch in Miami: Where to Go?

​Easter Sunday is not only about Easter bunnies, egg hunts and Hallmark greeting cards. It's also a time for festive meals in the company of family and many local restaurants have created special menus to celebrate the occasion. We've selected the best around town.(In alphabetical order) Angelique ... More >>

Random Survey: What's the Cheapest Thing On The Menu in Miami Restaurants? Now With Stupid Questions

image via SqueakyMarmot's flickr If you've never visited our restaurant database we have hundreds and hundreds of listings with addresses, telephone numbers, websites and other info for restaurants all over Dade County.From time to time Short Order uses that information to conduct random surveys. We ... More >>

Head Spins: DJ Billy Paul

Bringing the world to South Beach and beyond.

Head Spins: DJ Billy Paul

On any given Thursday evening at the Palms Hotel on South Beach, you'll find an intimate confab of hipsters swaying to a decidedly worldly beat. The party's called Sip and Spa, and, as the name implies, it's as heavy on the cocktails as it is on the massage. Actually, there may be even more imbibing ... More >>

New Spa Restaurant In South Beach

Essensia Restaurant & Lounge at The Palms Hotel & Spa (3025 Collins Ave., South Beach) will be making its debut this Mother's Day, May 10th, with a holiday brunch. The Palms' executive chef Gerd Richter has created a menu of "nourishing gourmet cuisine" that according to Maria Bond, Director ... More >>

Night&Day

Love Story

Almost a Saint

People were drawn to him and his inspiring devotion to the downtrodden. They wanted to help, to give him money. And they did -- right up to the day he vanished.

Last Night an Art Show Saved My Life

Forget about the clubs, the real scene is hanging at the galleries

Far From Blue

Nicole Henry may sing sad songs, but she sees happy days just across the way

Letters

Rabbi with a Cause

For Loring Frank, South Florida's freewheeling rabbi of the people, Judaism is all about inclusion