We were invited to join some friends recently at Quiessence restaurant in Phoenix.  Quiessence is located at the farm on South Mountain, a picturesque and serene plot of land that includes Maya’s Farm, a sustainable farm and garden, The Farm Kitchen, serving sandwiches, The Morning Glory Café, serving breakfast and twelve acres of beautiful open space, the former location of a pecan grove.  While we’ve attended the Festival at the Farm for the Arizona Wine Growers Association festival each of the last two years, we somehow never got around to eating at the restaurant.  When our friends extended the invitation, we jumped at the opportunity.

Even though it was early April, the evening was warm, a sign that summer was not so far off.  We tried to politely navigate our way around the outdoor wedding reception (although at one point, we accidently intruded upon some guests in our search for the restaurant) when a kind employee steered us to the restaurant.

Our table was quaint and the staff very attentive offering us some amenities while we sorted through the menu and wine list.  We learned that Quiessence presents “a unique and special dining experience with every visit. Each day, Executive Chef Gregory LaPrad hand selects the finest local ingredients from local growers, farmers, herders, and artisans to craft the menu of the day.”  What a novel approach to dining, going with what’s fresh and marrying the ingredients into a creative dish.  The other thing that’s rather unique about Quiessence is their dedication to domestic wines with a focus upon Arizona, much like Fnb (www.fnbrestaurant.com).   We started with an antipasti for four, comprised of a grand spread of Italian inspired salumi and cured meats, 100% produced and aged in house, served with accompaniments and artisan cheese.  This was simply a melt in your mouth experience.  Close your eyes and you’d swear that you were in Parma.  My wife also ordered the Miner's Lettuce and Dungeness Crab Salad with shaved apples, wild ramps, lemon thyme and red wine vinaigrette, a delicious blend of seafood, citrus fruits and herbs.