In the January issue of The Wild Blue Yonder, (Frontier Airlines’ in-flight magazine,) The Farm at South Mountain was listed as a “Don’t Miss”destination in Phoenix!

“Never again to be mistaken as a desert tumbleweed town, Phoenix’s secret is out. The city that anchors the Valley of the sun—or just “the Valley”—has grown up and out, stretching across 500 square miles and clocking in as the fifth-largest city in the nation. Famous for its miles of fairways, cosmopolitan restaurants and luxury spas, Phoenix is a welcoming oasis for the weary. And, with a remarkable 334 days of sunshine a year, it’s an ideal winter escape for visitors craving a healthy dose of vitamin D.”

READ: TheWildBlueYonder-Magazine

After a visit to the Valley, The Travel Channel featured Quiessence Restaurant on the list of “Top 5 in Phoenix.” The producer planned to spend one hour at The Farm, but immediately rescheduled her afternoon to enjoy an entire day with us.

A big thank you to Travel Channel filmmaker Allison who called Quiessence “Amazing seasonal organic cuisine.” Watch the video here.

Quiessence Restaurant and Morning Glory Cafe continue to lead the Arizona restaurant industry in green techniques and philosophies. While others label it veggievore, locavore, or some other name, we simply call it business as usual. “Eat Green” with Quiessence in 2010 and support our commitment to environmental stewardship and sustainability. Thank you!

Everyday Eco-Friendly at Quiessence Restaurant

• By using local food vendors, Quiessence Restaurant reduces the distance food has to travel and lowers the overall gas and shipping environmental impacts.

• Chef LaPrad was awarded the Edible Communities Local Hero Award for his outstanding commitment to the local foods movement in Phoenix.

• Mother Nature Network highlighted Chef LaPrad on the national eco-list of top “40 Chefs Under 40″ who use local and seasonal products on their menus. LaPrad was the only Arizona chef to be featured on the national list.

• On-site farmer Maya Daily practices sustainable biodynamic farming techniques that grow some the healthiest produce available.

• Cleaning products used in the restaurant are environmentally safe and biodegradable.

• Disposable products used at Morning Glory Cafe are 100% biodegradable within 3 months of discard.
• Restaurant brochures and materials are printed locally on post-consumer recycled, FSC-certified paper.

Thank you for visiting Quiessence Restaurant at The Farm at South Mountain. Reservations can be made online or by calling 602-276-0601.

‘Tis the season for toe shoes and tastes. For enjoying Nutcracker and noshes. For bubbly and ballerinas. So join Quiessence Restaurant before the quintessential holiday tradition, Ballet Arizona’s performance of The Nutcracker.

Ticket holders get a special treat…

Book your pre-show dinner between 5pm-5:30pm on show nights for a specially-priced, 3-course dinner, only $39!

With your Nutcracker ticket Chef LaPrad will prepare a seasonal feast including your choice of soup or salad, a pasta or entrée and a dessert for just $39.

Tickets & Schedule at: BalletAZ.org
Preshow dinner reservations at 602-276-0601
Some restrictions and exclusions may apply. Reservations required please mention Nutcracker show special when making reservation.

“Welcome Back!”

“Great to see you again.”

…Both phrases that will be echoed as here at The Farm over the next couple of days as we welcome back our fellow coworkers and other businesses, but most importantly we welcome you back to The Farm at South Mountain!

We’re ready to start the season with a new energy and a reenergized purpose. Like everyone else, the strain of the economy has been felt here on the Farm too. It’s been increasingly tough to compete with the myriad of restaurants offering a growing number of deals to drive traffic through their doors.

Just how does a restaurant like Quiessence justify paying a premium for organic, range grazed, local beef from a small family when the price on commodity beef from the big meatpackers can be so much more affordable?

Simple.

At Quiessence, we’ll never compromise our cuisine. We will never put profit ahead of our principles; Sourcing the best ingredients from a fair, sustainable, local food system combined with handcrafting our cuisine in house from these ingredients.

Last week, Time Magazine’s (August 31st, 2009) Cover Story was “The Real Cost of Cheap Food.” The article began, “He’s raised on grass and hay and lives happily on a pasture by the ocean. His Meat is free of antibiotics, but can we afford to eat it? We can’t afford not to.”

Food Inc., the movie released this summer, drove home the idea that there are major problems in the American food system that we see first hand on the evening news with food recalls, e coli contamination, etc. I encourage you all to take note of these problems and to consider where/how you choose to spend your food and dining dollars.

I promise you this; at Quiessence we will continue to work hard to serve you the best meal possible. We will continue to make all of our pasta in house, all of our salumi in house, bake bread out of our hearth oven, custom butcher all our meat in house, fly-in (overnight) safe sustainable seafood, and purchase the best seasonal, local, and organic produce we can get our hands on. While this is not the “cheap” route or an “economically savy” business decision it is the choice we make for quality. We do this for us, we do this for you, and we do this for our community.

Thank you for supporting us for another season. We look forward to seeing you down at The Farm and Quiessence soon!

Salut!
Chef Greg

We’ve had a busy spring here at Quiessence, holding first-time special events that were so successful we’ve vowed to offer them again next year! First, we threw a garden party reception, farm tour and five-course vegetarian dinner to celebrate Earth Day on April 22nd. Then on Mother’s Day, May 10th, we left no mom unpampered, offering a special three-course dinner, as well as hand massages for her and photos of the family, taken in the garden. But our most popular and well-attended event was Blues at Q, a mini blues festival and garden party held under the stars on May 28th. Local blues greats Bob Corritore, Paris James and Big Pete Pearson kept the patio rocking, while guests grazed on appetizers, hand-made pastas and sandwiches, washed down with local brews, wines and classic cocktails. We’re not sure how to top it, but we’ve got nearly a year to figure it all out!

He’s back…One night only!

Quiessence Restaurant welcomes legendary Arizona wine maker and Hollywood film director Sam Pillsbury and his award-winning wines for a can’t-miss night of storytelling throughout six courses of dinner and wine!

 View the menu and RSVP online >

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Celebrate Earth Day with Quiessence and the Farm at South Mountain as we present a very special Earth Dinner & Farm Tour. Discover the merits of sustainable farming right at the source as you stroll through our organic gardens and scenic property.

Dinner features a “green” spin on five courses of vegetarian dishes, each paired with an organic mini cocktail.

6:30pm – Reception and Hors d’Oeuvres
Mix & mingle with friends and guests outdoors while enjoying “taste of the farm.” Owner A. Wayne Smith. will be on-hand to deliver a welcome speech.
7:00PM – Farm Tour
Led by farmer Maya Dailey, you’ll tour the organic gardens and learn all about sustainable living, farming and this seasons produce.

7:30PM – Earth Dinner at Quiessence
Savor a 5-course vegatble Earth Dinner featuring the seasonal bounty of the farm and region. (Sugar Snap Pea Soup with Crème Fraiche, Rainbow Valley Farmer’s Cheese Gnocchi with Maya’s Baby Beets, and more)

Each course will be paired with organic mini “cocktails.” (Fresh Mint and Organic Vodka Spritzer; Tomato Water Martini; Spiced Beet Bubbly; and others)

Quiessence Earth Dinner & Farm Tour
Space Is Limited. Reservations Required.
Call 602-276-0601 $75.00 per Person
Includes Reception, Farm Tour and Five Course Dinner with Cocktail Pairings
Tax and 18% Service Charge Not Included.
DOWNLOAD & VIEW THE MENU >

Looking for the ultimate vegetarian dining experience in Phoenix? Imagine salads, pastas, soups and dozens of dishes featuring fresh handcut vegetables from the organic gardens located on the same property. Some may call it “veggievore,” “locavore,” or other special label, but we simply call it everyday business as usual.

A New Menu Everyday: Each morning, Chef Gregory LaPrad visits with dozens of local vendors who present the day’s finest local and organically sourced fruits and vegetables. Only after hand picking the best seasonal produce and goods, LaPrad crafts the day’s menu to present a true farm to table experience.

In addition to our daily menu, Quiessence Restaurant will gladly craft a vegetarian feast for you and your guests.

• Most pastas and dishes can be made vegetarian
• We can even prepare gluten free meals
• Our menus are perfect for both vegetarian and non-vegetarian guests alike

With just a little advanced notice Chef LaPrad will craft an unforgettable multi-course, organic vegetarian experience.

Quiessence Restaurant is located at this historic Farm at South Mountain, just 8 minutes from downtown Phoenix.

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(updated daily at 11am and 3pm)

With over 80 thoughtfully selected and award-winning wines, Quiessence Restaurant & Wine Bar offers a unique selection of boutique varietals by the glass or bottle.

“The wine list is one of the best in the Southwest,” says national wine & food critic John Mariani in recent article for Bloomberg (read full article here.)

Quiessence proudly features only domestic and Arizona wines to maintain our commitment to locally-conscious dining. Explore the list and find wonderful Arizona selections from nearby winemakers and friends in Sonoita, Cornville and Coshise County. All our wines are hand-selected by Chef Gregory LaPrad to complete the perfect lunch or dinner experience.

Quiessence Restaurant & Wine Bar is located at The Farm at South Mountain, only 8 minutes from Downtown Phoenix