Essensia

This restaurant's palm-lined terrace is a Mid-Beach oasis, especially at sunset. The seasonal menu provides intriguing reading about the eclectic ingredients and local farms featured by chef Julie Frans. On a recent visit, tender Amazonian paiche (also known as Amazonian sea bass) with celery-root purée and chocolate-ancho-chile mousse were highlights. If it's on the menu, order the hogfish, a South Florida delicacy. Click here for previous coverage.