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Quiessence Restaurant
Categories: Nightlife Bars Wine Bars Restaurants Canadian (New) Wine Bars, Canadian (New) [Edit]
6106 S 32nd StPhoenix, AZ 85042
(602) 276-0601
- Hours:
Tue-Sat 5 pm - 9:30 pm
- Delivery:
- No
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Private Lot
- Attire:
- Dressy
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$$$$
- Take Away:
- No
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Music:
- Live
- Best Nights:
- Fri, Thu, Sat
- Happy Hour:
- No
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Smoking:
- Outdoor Area/ Patio Only
- Coat Check:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Good For Dancing:
- No
- Ambience:
- Romantic, Classy, Intimate
- Has TV:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
94 reviews for Quiessence Restaurant
Review Highlights
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"Next time we'll try the Brick Oven Table." In 5 reviews -
"We did the wine pairing with each course, mmmmmm." In 8 reviews -
"6) Yes, I know Quiessence is on a working farm." In 25 reviews
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94 reviews in English
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Review from Jodey B.
Phoenix, AZ
4/19/2012
We did the Brick Oven Table last night, and it was amazing! I went into the evening with high hopes, but I was prepared for the possibility of disappointment (I have had pretty disappointing experiences at Morning Glory and the Farm Kitchen, so I was worried this might be more of the same)
We had a regular reservation with a table inside, but when we arrived we inquired about the Brick Oven Table. The server's eyes lit up and she seemed so genuinely excited for us to have the "Brick Oven Experience" She also told us how excited the chef was to prepare the meal for us.
Every course of food was delicious. The presentation was lovely, but simple - a perfect compliment to the setting at Quiessence. We had a party of three, and for a few courses we each received something different which added to the fun.
I had just a few minor complaints. Not even complaints really, just opportunities for improvement.
1) During the presentation on a few courses the servers forgot part of the spiel about the food.
2) It would have been nice to have a visit from the chef. Yes, I'm sure that he's a busy guy, but there is only one Brick Oven party per evening, and it would have been nice to have had the opportunity for a quick introduction so we could give him our compliments.
The meal was pricey, but I felt that the experience and the exceptional food was worth the price. -
Review from clifford w.
Phoenix, AZ
9/22/2011
It was my first time here and I brought some friends. I was really excited about the meal since I've always heard great things about it and thought this would be a great time to try it out during Restaurant Week but that excitement fell by the wayside as the night progressed.
Well, the food was "ok". Despite my friend's duck being a bit on the dry side and the soup being served in bowls that were too wide which made them cool off faster than they could be eaten, it was decent. The ambiance is pleasant and definitely romantic.
Service wise... definitely left room for improvement.
1) Some of our dishes were taken while we were still eating.
2) On more than one occasion we had to ask for more water.
3) When announcing the food the waiters were presenting, some forgot the descriptions. Not a super big deal but if you're going to open your mouth to announce what is in the dish, shouldn't you remember what is in it?
4) There was a 30 minute wait between the appetizer and the first course
5) The servers chimed into our party's conversation unexpectedly. This is something I'd expect of Dennys, not Quiessence.
If you go here for dinner, bring a flashlight for the parking lot and the walk through the courtyard to the restaurant. An older couple I saw leaving almost couldn't find their way through the courtyard and I was a bit worried one of them might fall. Considering the rough terrain, you'd think they'd light up the pathway a bit more. -
Review from Pepper T.
Phoenix, AZ
9/11/2011
I've been here several times and no other restaurant that I have been to in the Phoenix Area has delighted , thrilled and surprised me as much as Quiessence . Each time I've been here we've had different plates that were never the same but always excellent , and I always have something new I never had before and I find that exciting !
I recommend you to indulge to select the farmers feast so you get a sampling of much of the days menu that is customized to your liking or needs , also I find it cost less that way also because you are getting 6 COURSES !
I started with house pickled and marinated seasonal vegetables with a few cheeses what stood out to me as different was the flavors were Bold but not too much and the salads were very neat and not oily one bit . My husband was served a plate of house made salumi cheeses and a very interesting strawberry wrapped in larding that he said was like butter on a strawberry he also said the house made meats were better than from a special place we went to in Las Vegas .
Second plates were smoked black cod & cucumber salad and also arugula , long beans , pancetta , & duck egg salad . Again both salads were very neat not oily but flavorful .
Third plates were house made gnocchetti with peaches and another pasta tortellini with pepperonata , raisins , pine nuts and eggplant . Both were very good but the tortellini was a high point .
Fourth courses were Tuna with eggplant , tomato topped with sea beans (very hard to find here I have purchased them before as sea asparagus ) with arugula . This was the most delicious Tuna I ever had .
Fifth Plates were Venison with an Antelope terrine with wild huckleberries , and a Beef tenderloin with tiny carrot coins and a tiny baked buttered potato . I note that this Beef was the BEST I ever had anywhere .
We shared a plate of assorted mini desserts including something lemon , chocolate , strawberry but the most interesting and exciting one was the Fig Pot de Creme with chocolate shell topped with Candied ROSEMARY topped with a very thin abstract hazelnut cookie standing up . I never knew something like that could taste so good .
I've been to other places in the Phoenix Area that were this price range but this is the only one that I enjoyed this much . (so far)
Every visit here has never disappointed me and service has always been outstanding .Listed in: High End Date Night
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Review from Lianne J.
Tempe, AZ
3/13/2012
This is one of my top five favorite restaurants in Phoenix. The food is made fresh by the chef with lots of natural ingredients from the farm. The atmosphere is relaxed and romantic. The food, the service, the ambiance, it's all worth the somewhat pricey food!
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Review from Stephanie C.
Phoenix, AZ
4/6/2012
Love this place! Great Food, Great Experience! Not for people who are picky eaters but great for Foodies! Only complaint is the price but I'll still go back!
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Review from Tigearnan B.
Chandler, AZ
8/8/2011
This was my first and LAST visit to Quiessence (6-Aug).
1) The power (& AC) shut off several times (approx 8), yet management did nothing to compensate other than an apology after the 1st outage.
2) The $12/$15 PER PERSON price of the 'Chefs Spread APPETIZER' was far too high for the minimal amount of food provided. It took over 20 minutes to arrive ... yet nothing had to be cooked (??).
3) The entrees took over 30 minutes to arrive.
4) In when the bill arrived, they added an automatic 18% gratuity .. for TWO PEOPLE? I've discovered that this standard operating procedure! This is wrong and defeats the purpose of the gratuities. The server have no incentive to provide good service (as was apparent from our long waits). The fact that the gratuity was also charged on the bottle of wine (more on that later) ... deplorable.
5) When I look at the bill, I saw the wrong bottle (and a pricier one) was charged to my bill. We had to ask another staff member to get our waitress (who seemed to have forgotten us). She did take change the bottle, but should this have been necessary at the prices charged by Quiessence?
6) Yes, I know Quiessence is on a working farm. So, they should reduce their prices to reflect their setting (and poor electrical service). This should include better lighting for the path from the restaurant to the parking area
I am severely disappointed with my dining experience at Quiessence. I had been looking forward to dining there for years. The overpriced appetizers, poor service, non-apologetic management, and the 'slap in your face' automatic 18% gratuity makes me wonder how Quiessence could survive ... especially in this economy. Other similarly-prices restaurants would simply not allow these issues to exist. -
Review from Erin G.
Fairfax, VA
7/6/2011
Unlike my last review, this 3 star grade is a real disappointment. Listen, I love the Farm at South Mountain Concept, it is beautifully laid out, lush and green, quiet and cool. It looks like a perfect spot for a wedding or a first date picnic. I've been to a gardening class over at Maya's Farm, breakfasts and brunches at Morning Glory Cafe, and this most recent visit for dinner to Quiessence.
Two years ago at West of Western I had some amazing sample from Quiessence that has stuck in my mind ever since. Well, clearly the actual food item didn't stick in my mind, but the deliciousness factor made me memorize the name Quiessence. For one of my last big dinners before leaving Phoenix I wanted to finally get there and relive the delicious experience. Certainly I can get behind the concept of local and season foods, sustainable foods, and daily changing menus. I did notice that the menu did not change from Thursday when I looked it up online to Friday when we dined there, but I'm guessing that's typical in the summers. Perhaps they should leave that daily-changing bit out of their advertising.
I arrived a little early, as did one of my companions, so we ordered cocktails (Maiden's Prayer and a Manhattan) while we waited. For $12 each I was a little surprised that my cocktail glass was only just over half full. Really. When the rest of the party arrived, a friend and I shared the crab and zucchini salad, which was GORGEOUS, and the server had the order split onto two plates for us without asking. My friend thought it was over-dressed, but I thought the fresh cool flavors and vinaigrette bite were perfect.
The protein courses were not really impressive, I have to admit. I chose the salmon (no provenance identified, strangely) which came with fiddlehead ferns and warm cucumbers. This dish cost $37 and came with approximately 6 ounces of salmon, 4 fiddleheads and a bit of cucumber. The hit of the night, which was a lukewarm hit to be sure, was hand cut pasta with thick chunks of mushrooms in a light creamy cheese sauce. I thought the flavors were well-balanced and the portion for $24 was significantly more than my dish. My friend said it wasn't the best homemade pasta she'd ever had.
All in all, my portion of the bill was $80 including tax and tip. My meal was not worth it, though the scenery and experience was lovely. It sounds like the Farmer's Feast is a good bet and I would have chosen that, given a do over. -
Review from Tonya I.
Chandler, AZ
9/26/2011
We dined at Q for restaurant week on Saturday and really enjoyed our experience. I had never had a fine dining experience beforehand, but this place showed me just how enjoyable such an evening can be.
Our server, Trisha, was great. She knew the wine list well and made excellent recommendations. Although we didn't like the first two wines she brought us, she found a gem for the final try and we were impressed with her knowledge and fluidity in handling our preferences.
The service was prompt without being overly fast, we had time to enjoy conversation and the courses we ate. I had the Dungeness crab-cucumber salad for the first course and the salmon for the second, and both were great. The onions on the salad could have been more flavorful, especially for being freshly shaved, but otherwise, I had no complaints about the salad. The entire salmon dish was incredible; I had never had huckleberries or lobster mushrooms and the pairing on the plate was great. The plating itself was beautiful and well thought out and really complimented the meal.
My friend had the salted cod on bread with pickles for her first course (she said it was great, I thought it was too salty but that's why I didn't order "salted" anything). For her second course, she chose the beef wellington which was simultaneously incredible and a bit of a let down. The meat itself was tender and flavorful, but the crust was too flaky and bland. It did not complement the meat well.
Our final course was the flourless chocolate torte with strawberry-something on top. The torte itself was delicious and the plating was gorgeous, but the strawberry-something was forgettable at best and poorly textured at worse.
I forgot about the bread! The first thing we got was two different kinds of bread with a very good green butter of some sort (I had a half a bottle of wine so I don't exactly remember every detail!)
Ultimately, the food was incredible and the service experience was more than enough to make me look forward to coming back for the Farmers Feast and wine pairings. I would have liked it if the food presentations were a little bit louder (it was hard to hear most of the people who brought us food except for a tall young man and our server) but otherwise I have no complaints. Trisha took great care of us, making sure we were happy and satisfied and was pleasant but unobtrusive. -
Review from Edgar H.
Chandler, AZ
9/10/2011
I was dragged to this place by my wife who has gotten really into trying new places. I had heard some people talk about it but mostly it was complaints about the price, so I had negative feelings about the place to start.
Upon arriving all I can say is it's not much to look at from the dirt driveway. But once we entered, we were greeted by several extremely friendly hostesses and waitresses. Hands down the restaurant had a fantastic warming, and inviting feeling about it. We were put at ease and that was good because this is part of its charm. The full experience lasted 3 hours.
For dinner we did a full service chef choice thing where they picked for us the wine and food that is perfectly paired. I'm not much on wine but everything seemed to be better w/ the combination. I had no complaints about the food at all. Perfect. When the bill came I had no problem paying the $300 or so because it was well worth it. Taste, portions, service. All A+
on a side note, we went all out and there are a lot of less expensive items on the menu so price is relative to what you order. The Assume service is shared by everyone. -
Review from Daniel A.
This review could easily have been a 5 Star review...easily...except for SALT. Just about every dish was extremely over salted. In fact, the waitress said that she gets that same complaint a lot. I put this at the top of my review for two reasons...1. I hope the chef reads this and starts to understand that he needs to reduce the salt, and 2. so YOU will make sure to tell the waitress you don't want your food over salted.
Otherwise...WOW what a great restaurant. The location is on a farm that grows all the vegetables and most of the items you eat in the restaurant. The atmosphere is cozy, romantic, wonderful. The service is excellent, and the servers know their stuff!
Your best bet is get the chefs menu with a wine pairing and see what shows up at the table. There is no better way to eat dinner here. The presentation was 5*, the variety and freshness of the food was awesome.
I really loved the experience, and will be back. -
Review from Ashley Z.
Chandler, AZ
1/14/2012
I'm only giving two stars because of the ambiance and the fact that the waitstaff described the food and ingredients upon serving it to you. I thought that was pretty cool but that's about all that was cool about the place, oh and the wine selection was very good.
I'll keep this short and simple: way too overpriced for what you get. No major complaints about food but service was just ok, food portions were tiny (which isn't all bad because that's why most of us are fat), but $300 for two people?!
And the 18% automatic gratuity is stupid. Also, there were no towels in the bathroom to dry my hands. I told my server this as a courtesy and she replied, "oh they temporarily removed the basket of towels". Huh? And this person is automatically getting an 18% tip? -
Review from kimberly k.
Park Ridge, IL
4/2/2011 1 Check-in Here
Huge waste of our time. I made a reservation and requested a romantic table for two. When we got there the hostess sat us next to a table of 4 ...who were extremely loud. I get that...they were all having fun. We asked to move to a table outside, but was told that they were all reserved. This wasn't a very big place, but the outside area was very pretty and was lit by candlelight.
We sat for maybe 5 min and the hostess came back and gave us a wine list and then....nothing. We waited and waited, hostess came back again and asked if we had questions about the wine list. I said I did, and she said she would try to answer but didn't know much about wine. Hmmmm, ok. Still no server. At that point, we then decided to leave.
Very disappointed for a couple of reasons...
1. I would not think it would be so difficult to be acknowledged by a server, after all, they are there to take care of our dining accomadations.
2. We were on vacation and this place was very out of the way. We waisted part of our evening and when vacationing that is the last thing I want to do.
3. Hostess never said..."Is there a problem?" She saw us leave, we walked right past her. -
Review from Mike C.
Tempe, AZ
2/19/2011 1 Check-in Here
As you can tell from my profile, I'm not one to write a bad review - if you don't have something nice to say...But I can't stop myself from sharing my experience at Quiessence - especially when considering the price.
On our anniversary, I thought it would be great to take her to a high-end spot like Quiessence. I looked at the reviews (first time social media has let me down), it looked legit, and I set it up without telling her. I made a reservation, let them know it was our anniversary asking for a nice table and offering to pay a little more if there was something special they could do. For our near $300, here's what "special" means:
- A table by the door. I seriously can't believe they cram a table there, everyone who walked in was basically on our lap.
- After taking our drink order, it took 20 minutes before our waiter returned, and with just one of the drinks.
- We ordered, received our appetizers in ok time, and then waited another 40 minutes until our meals began coming out (we ordered special courses - big mistake)
- Each dish came out somewhere between warm to cold, for sure sitting around
- Even if warm, the quality was not anywhere near the caliber of what a similarly priced meal at any other high-end establishment around town would be.
- Tip was included in the bill at over 18%
Seriously, unreal, when expressing our disappointment, we received a "sorry." Even if it was an off night, there's just too much here to ignore. SAVE YOUR MONEY AND GO SOMEWHERE ELSE! -
Review from Levi S.
Austin, TX
1/19/2012
Intimate ambiance with good farm to table fare. Good presentation and wine pairings. Outdoor area is nice, though as others have pointed out, there's basically no lighting back to the parking lot after dark.
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Review from David D.
Scottsdale, AZ
2/14/2011
My wife and I spent nearly $300 and were extremely disappointed with the food and the experience. I can't think of a time in a supposedly high-end restaurant when I just wasn't able to finish each course primarily due to the blandness and unoriginality of the food.
1. The opener was a ceviche that featured a tough, metallic flavored scallop that made both of us wonder if we were going to end up in the ER (we are HUGE ceviche fans :(
2. The sausage entrée was so forgettable that I actually forgot to eat most of the links.
3. The small meatballs with gnocchi from a taste perspective rivaled some of the frozen selections from Trader Joes. Average and forgettable.
4. Both desserts were chocolate and were good, but nothing special.
5. We noticed that the hostess kept seating customers including ourselves in the back room near the bathroom (which smelled terribly and looked as though it was in need of a cleaning). The maître d' left most of the tables in the best part of the restaurant empty for the majority of the night. No comprendo.
6. Our server was friendly, but seemed disinterested and on two occasions plates were slapped down on our tables with no verbal description (where is the passion and interest! This is part of the tasting menu experience!)
7. Timing of the food and wine flight was off. With the exception of the Justin port, the wine selection was average and not a good value.
My wife couldn't stop talking about how poor the food was the entire ride home. Not a great way to celebrate our Valentines' Day.
Bottom line - this is our second time at Quiesscence and definitely the last time. What an utter disappointment. -
Review from Benster G.
Middlesex, MA
10/27/2011
Negatives: 3 hours for dinner! Automatic 18% for a party of 2, weird extra tax; and, yea I noticed the $$$$ on yelp, but still not expected. Atmosphere is dull.
Positives: Romantic setting. Excellent rustic elegant food. Great wine list. -
Review from Kevin M.
Newton, MA
1/16/2011
Terrible, terrible experience that lasted hours and felt like a taste of hell.
Service was dysfunctional and slow. Server made assumptions about timing that led to a disagreeable experience; she also wasn't wise to gluten free options.
Food was ok. The menu changes often, so I'm not sure how my review would help. The lobster, squash soup app was quite good. The cheese plates are an outrageous rip-off. I wasn't a fan of my poached sausage entree; which was an alternative pick as they ran out scallops, my first selection.
Strange location in the woods. Lots of foul smell as you approach.
In the end: I wouldn't return, nor should you venture there. The value was absent and I was annoyed as I left. -
Review from Joe B.
Phoenix, AZ
Updated - 10/31/2011
The worst "special" dining experience.
Had to wait to be seated.....with reservations
Long wait between courses.
Had to ask for water twice.
"warm" cucumbers and fish......very bad.
Too dark to see entree.
$250 for 2 was outrageous.
Not a memorable experience1 Previous Review: Show all »
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9/3/2011
I made reservations for a special occasion. After arriving, there was no one at the hostess desk. We… Read more »
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Review from Bob F.
Phoenix, AZ
2/27/2012
The wait staff kept on telling us that the bread was on its way as it was in the oven after a 1/2 hour the bread comes out wrapped in a napking and it was ice cold stale rolls (we laughed)
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Review from James M.
Phoenix, AZ
5/6/2011 Seated via OpenTable
Having dinner here is an absolute EVENT! Don't expect to get to anything else that night, if you are doing dinner right that is.
This is not fast food, they give you plenty of time and do not rush service at all. (I doubt they don more than one turn a night) And you know what? It is great!
The food was fantastic, and I highly recommend the aged Manhattan to start out the night.
Sit back, relax and enjoy. -
Review from Michael M.
Peoria, AZ
2/21/2011
I have been to a few high end restaurants in my day. So Ill summarize right up front. I wasnt that impressed.
The Pros:
Fantastic ambiance
Knowledgeable wait staff
The yam-stuffed raviolis are to die for (some of the other reviews mention them as well)
Excellent assortment of local and small California wines
Excellent home-made salamis
The Cons:
They killed, and I mean KILLED my NY Strip steak. Past well done. Sawdust. You just dont do that in a $300 place. My 12 year old does that. Didn't offer to re-do it, but wanted to get me "something else"? WTH?? Like I dont know what sawdust in my mouth is and what a NY strip is supposed to taste like?
The halibut was under cooked as well.
One of the wine courses didnt come out with the meal course.
They added a automatic 18% gratuity. Even on the alcohol. You just dont do THAT either.
So go for the atmosphere and anything "tuscany", but stay away from anything else. For a "high end" place they fall short. Go to Fleming's or something instead if you want better all around food. Dont say we didnt warn you. -
Review from Stephanie M.
Phoenix, AZ
1/28/2011
As a vegetarian and I always a little concerned when trying new restaurants, but this was hands down the best meal I have ever eaten, everything was perfect. I went with a date and we both ordered the Chef's Tasting Menu.
The antipasto plate was divine, they only cook with local in season vegetables so it was fun to give me taste buds something a little different (think parsnips and fennel). That was followed by a salad with fresh grapefruit, local artisan cheeses, grilled vegetables, cauliflower tartar (with fried capers, red onion and grilled bread), marinated seasonal vegetables, cheese gnudi (similar to gnocchi) with romanesco and spicy crushed tomatoes and then finished with an incredible dessert.
The ambiance was great for a date but would be perfect for a group as well. Although I wouldn't recommend it for children. If it had been warmer we would have eaten outside in their pecan groves. There are also outside fire pits to warm up around.
I cannot wait until I get the opportunity to dine here again, it is now my new favorite!! -
Review from Jalayne A.
Phoenix, AZ
1/16/2011
Oh be still my heart! Quiessence is amazing and offers a one of a kind dining experiences.
We went last night to celebrate our anniversary and were treated as though we were the only couple in the entire place (which there must have been half a dozen other couples there for similar celebrations).
We opted to have the farmers feast (I had the wine pairing) and the wonderfulness began. 6 Courses: Each amazing for its own reason. They were nicely timed so that we could enjoy each course, each wine, and eachother. But not so spaced out that we started to wonder if they forgot about us.
So as we sat outside on the patio staring out onto the farm's scenery - like we were in our own little world where decadent plates of food would magically arrive at the perfect time.
1st Course - Salami, cheese and bread - what is a better way to start
2nd - fresh and clean salads (mine was citrus - his warm beet with goat chees)
3rd - pasta (his included rabbit meatballs, mine was similar to gnocchi but went by a different name - this was my favorite)
4th- fish (cod and rock fish . . . flakey sweet buttery - but light)
5 - meat (venison - lamb . . . perfectly cooked perfectly seasoned)
6th dessert - (one was a ved velvet whoopie pie the other was a carrot style cake)
Each course showed up without us placing a single order - just what the chef sent out - and each was wonderful.
Thank you Quiessence for making this a special evening!!! -
Review from sarah s.
2/18/2012
so great! came here with the bf for a nice night out and we both left with full tummies and an unforgetable experience. we live super close by and we have said we were going to go and finally he surprised me with a night out at Quiessence. we did the tasting menu, which I HIGHLY suggest. great way to try everything on the menu and all of it was over the top amazing. this is such a romantic place, definitely enjoy your dining experience because everything is done to personalize the experience for each guest. the wine list is great and I cannot wait to go back!!
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Review from Irene T.
Gold Canyon, AZ
11/28/2008
Don't give thanks here.
It's been a while since I've posted, but for anyone who can't remember, see my motto above. And I get even more pissed when it's expensive bad food!
So imagine my mood when we left Quiessence yesterday having dropped $171 for 2, (including tax & tip), on a meal that was certainly worse than what I could make at home.
I had the Date & Beet Salad, the Turkey entree, and the Apple Crisp for dessert. Served family style were, greens, Sausage & Onion stuffing, Roasted Carrots & Parsnips, Mashed Potatoes, and a bread basket.
I'll start from the beginning with the salad which was OK. Not what you'd expect for the price, but acceptable. The turkey was brined in an over salted liquid with something odd added. It was moist, but I still left slices on my plate the flavor was so odd.
The stuffing had very little flavor at all & was dry. The sausage added nothing but meat so that the vegetarians couldn't eat it. The mashed potatoes were also over salted. The carrots & parsnips were severely undercooked. Hard as rocks. Or maybe they were overcooked & dehydrated, since a few of them were mush. The greens were good. All of the side dishes were left over. There were 3 kinds of bread in the basket; a dry foccacia, corn bread, & a soaked, with oil or butter, corn bread. They all seemed like they were from the previous day, & someone had tried to save them.
We all had the Apple Crisp with Cranberry Ice Cream for dessert. It was also OK. The Crisp was good, but needed lemon juice to cut the sweetness. The ice cream was an Iron Chef moment. Not a good one. I removed as much as I could & poured a little cream, supplied for the coffee, on my crisp. Oh, for some vanilla Hagen-Dazs!
We were tired of counting pennies, and thought we'd splurge. We'd all been to Quiessence before, when there was a different chef. It's a lovely location, but not enough to make up for the food.
On the day that I usually give thanks for the bounty of life, I started planning Thanksgiving dinner for next year. -
Review from Aileen B.
2/16/2009 1 photo
It was a beautiful morning, slightly chilly still, but it was sunny and I had a sweater on, so I elected to dine in the patio. I'd already perused through the menu online, and when I saw that the menu had not changed, I knew I'd have the Power Ranches organic beef burger ($14), cooked to medium (was told it would still be pink), with Bravo white cheddar, subbged with plain aioli, Nueske bacon, house made pickles on the side, with house made potato chips with blue cheese fondue. I decided against having a glass of wine and ordered filtered iced water, instead.
Other reviewers weren't kidding- this is slow food, so be prepared to wait! If I had company, I'd definitely order an appetizer to help stave off hunger pangs- the artisanal cheese (choice of three) with fruits and nuts sounds delicious! Will have to try this during snacktime (from 2p to 5p), where apps are slightly discounted ($2 off?).
Entree arrived- what a beauty! http://www.yelp.com/bi... I immediately had to try a chip! I did notice that the burger was was not cooked to medium- definitely not slightly reddish, not even slightly pink. Nevertheless, it was juicy and tender, and just pure delight! Loved the rustic bread used; the Nueske bacon (thick-cut, and such a treat... I want to buy some to use at home- does anyone know where I may procure some? Whole Foods?); and the farm greens and shaved red onion, as well.
Was able to check out the interior on my way to the restroom to wash hands before dining and after... Oh, so charming! What a great place to dine at while on a retreat here.
Hope to visit again very soon! -
Review from Jason B.
9/7/2010
My wife and I celebrated our 1 year anniversary here Saturday night. We decided to pull out all the stops and do the "The Brick Oven Table" thing. They setup a nice table outside next to their brick oven and serve you an 8 course meal. It is very intimate and if I wasn't already married my wife would have thought I was going to propose. So if there are any guys out there looking for a good proposal spot this is probably a pretty solid place to do it.
It probably wasn't my most brilliant idea to sit outside because it was pretty hot and both of us got pretty bitten up by mosquitos and/or ants. The hostess and waitress gave us plenty of forewarning and chances to move inside because of the heat, but we decided to stick it out because it is all part of the charm and will definitely give us an anniversary to remember.
Anyway, the food was very very good. I can't pick a favorite because it was all good. Yes the courses are pretty small but after 8 courses I was pretty stuffed. Nothing that was served was overly bizarre or fru fru (as some tasting menus can get). My only complaint is that the chef has a pretty heavy hand when it comes to salt. I mean I love salt but some of the stuff was overly salted. Doing the sampling menu was a great experience and gave us the full range of what Quiessence has to offer. It truly is top notch cuisine.
Everybody from the hostess to the waitresses to the bus boys are all very professional, helpful and friendly. I would recommend Quiessence to anybody looking to celebrate an occasion or just want a nice night out.Comment from Gregory L. of Quiessence Restaurant 9/7/2010
Jason! Thank you for spending your anniversary with us! The… More » -
Review from Megan M.
Sun City, AZ
11/8/2008
Maybe more of a 4.5 star, but I feel like rounding up is a bit early.
We headed to Quiessence for our wedding anniversary. There is no shortage of restaurants in the Phoenix metro area that could have fit the bill for what we were looking for in a place to celebrate, and Quiessence was a last minute choice after I decided we just needed to pick a place if we wanted to dine this year.
Driving in we noticed 2 weddings being held on the property. I admit, I was nervous. Rowdy drunken wedding guests with staff more focused on serving them instead of restaurant patrons? Recipe for disaster. Those fears proved to be unfounded.
We started the evening off with the vegetable crudite for two. It's a ridiculously simple dish, but amazing. A platter of vegetables, cut and seasoned lightly, was served with herb butter, pesto, and herb aioli. Knowing the vegetables had been grown on here by Maya's Farm, or by Mclendon's was sort of amazing. I'll admit that I'm a recent convert to the local/slow food movement, and this dish really sums all of that up. Simple, fresh and tasty.
Next we ordered mussels. I hate mussels. My husband loved mussels. We decided to try them and I agreed to try one. I now love mussels. Again, another simple dish but very well prepared and presented.
For entrees, I had the haddock served with whipped potatoes and green beans. Husband had the beef tenderloin and the grilled root vegetables. Again, very simple dishes but expertly prepared and very flavorful. At this point, I did feel it was a little simple. And maybe because in my mindset, fine dining includes foams, mousses, and things that are unpronounceable.
As for ambiance, it is very romantic. But when it's dark, the romance is replaced by some hesitation as you try to see. They need a bit more lighting outside. Inside, it wasn't as romantic as I would have pictured but then again, if we would have sat on the patio, maybe that would have changed.
Yes, the food is very slow. But then again, they do say that on the menu and we actually enjoyed it. There was no pile up of plates on the table, no intermittent conversation between bites, and we were really able to take in the location as we sat between courses. We did overhear a server telling a party that she was sorry for the wait and offered to comp their dessert and wine.
My only beef was service. My husband and I are very particular about drinks and even more so in places that have a decent staff to guest ratio. Despite the fact that we saw several food runners, servers, and busboys, we felt that drinks were never really refilled quickly. Additionally I ordered a glass of wine to come with my meal that didn't come until I was 2/3 finished and after I asked for. My husband ordered iced tea and after the second glass, they took it and only gave him more after he asked for it. I know this may seem petty, but its our quirk. Beverage service at a restaurant like this should be old hat to the staff.
One last thing to note is that a 18% gratuity is automatically included on the bill. Maybe this accounts for the reason why our drinks were slow, but had they not have been we would have gladly added additional tip onto the check.
While Quiessence isn't in my price range to dine here regularly, I could see this becoming a place to take friends and family to celebrate. -
Review from decoux m.
Alameda, CA
12/29/2006
Holy shit! CUTE WAITER. We found this place off the beaten path near the Legacy Resort and Spa where we stayed last night and if you're ever in the Tempe area, this is definitely a nice five star place prepped to impress... and the help is HOT.
It's a wine bar and restaurant that is set up in a beautiful converted home space that still has it's homeyness intact to the tea! Good wine, but for a wine bar, a little sparing... We had fun! There was live music, great lighting, did I mention the hot waiter?, and an overall nice atmosphere (ie, hot waiter)! The menu looked spectacular, but as you've probably figured out by now, I was there for the vino and the view.Listed in: Best of my trip to AZ
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Review from Alexander C.
Scottsdale, AZ
6/9/2008
Over priced.. over seasoned.. slow service. That about sums Quiessence up. While the grounds are sort of romantic (think plant nursery meets your mom's backyard) its not charming enough to make up for the boring menu.
While I can appreciate where they are coming from, "Slow" food does not mean that you have to wait for the food to grow while you sit there at the dining table. -
Review from Helen Y.
Scottsdale, AZ
11/20/2008
Had lunch here on a weekend when we didn't want to wait for a table at Morning Glory. This is definitely "slow" food so be warned. Luckily the outdoor seating was beautiful but a bread basket definitely would've helped calm our rumbling stomachs.
Farm burger ($14) was one of the best burgers I've had in the Valley - flavorful beef patty with a moist tender interior. Braised short rib sandwich was a bit bland by comparison. Locally grown garden veg crudite ($14) was fresh and full of crunchy healthy goodness. -
Review from Deborah H.
New York, NY
12/14/2007
Quiessence is, simply put, beautiful. Full windows and earthy wooden walls give a feeling of warmth inside this restaurant perched in the middle of a farm. The restaurant seemed fairly full even on a Tuesday evening; we had secured reservations just a couple days before.
My friend and I had sampled sandwiches at the Farm Kitchen earlier that week, and were impressed enough to want to eat at the restaurant. The crisp, fresh veggies didn't disappoint: we ordered the salad with orange and grapefruit slices and the crudites to start. Both were very good; I didn't even know how much I liked raw radishes and turnips until I tried them with their pesto and aioli sauces.
For entrees, I ordered the lamb and my friend ordered the pork shoulder. Service started out very good, but trailed off quickly. Waiting for our food took a very long time (a couple seated after us received and finished their entrees before we received our's), and no one bothered to explain the situation until the maitre'd apologized almost 45 minutes later. Apparently the chef was unhappy with the sauce on my entree, so he started anew. This isn't really a problem, but they should have communicated this to us earlier. For our troubles, they comped me the glass of wine I ordered, but they forgot to bring out with my entree as I had requested. Also, they didn't offer us bread, but I will echo the lady who whispered this to us on her way out: ask for the bread. We received warm foccacia, apple walnut, and pomegranate slices of wonder with honey and butter. YUM.
The entrees were both solid, but didn't quite live up to the innovation and freshness of the vegetables. My lamb's sauce was delicious, but the meat was tough. Maybe the vegetarian entrees are the way to go? But our dessert, the gingerbread pear cake, was yet another winner.
If the entrees were tad more inspired, or the service weren't so spotty, this place definitely would have warranted five stars. If I return, I'd like to try the 75$ tasting menu. Our bill came out to about 100$ for two people, including tip, no drinks. -
Review from Stephanie Q.
Phoenix, AZ
2/5/2010 1 photo
Recently transplanting here from Northern California, where farms and organic produce are everywhere, I got excited about going to a restaurant here in Phoenix that has its own organic farm and within the city to boot. At first, I thought I was going to have to drive beyond the city but, no, happily it's not far from downtown.
We got there about 5:30pm and got a little tour of the property first, and it's quaint, rustic, and very welcoming, so of course it is a place after my own heart. I could hang out in the courtyards with a cool glass of lemonade, some of their fresh baked breads, and a good book, all afternoon.
There was three of us and we ordered the Farmer's Feast which is basically a cornucopia of dishes the chef creates. For each of the six courses, each of us got our own dish, so we could sample and try each others. So yeah, if you do some math, that is 18 different dishes total. The awesome thing though is that each plate is small and I did not feel like I had to be rolled out of there.
Since there are way too many dishes to talk about, on my food blog you can see almost all the food we ate. http://bit.ly/dy0AFX
The fennel lemon bread was absolutely divine. They bake all the breads in this huge oven outside and so I must come back when they are baking.
I would have given this place 5 stars but all three of the meat dishes we got were meh. In fact, the lamb chops I got were way too on the bloody side. But hey, they got 5 out of 6 courses on the money so that's pretty awesome.
Quiessence is a great place to take your sweetie for a charming evening, friends or family who are into organics and supporting local producers, and parents or the elders visiting from out of town. -
Review from Erika K.
9/28/2008
We waited three years to try Quiessence .
Our first visit took place in early September to celebrate our 7 year wedding anniversary. The previous year we celebrated at the celebrated 5-star restaurant "Marie Elaine's" at the Phoenician (which I think has since closed and turned into a different kind of restaurant). It is to this that I'm comparing the experience.
The housing is small and intimate and even so, I didn't feel crowded. (I'm imagining folks who have read my other reviews rolling their eyes and saying "yes yes, we know you have space "issues.")
Here's what I loved best about the place: The food was wonderfully normal yet interesting (read: unpretentious -- no venison stew cooked over leaks and served in a copper pan.) The wait staff was knowledgeable and friendly (read: they weren't in tuxedo's with attitudes); and the atmosphere was relaxed (read: There was a live blues guitarist - no elevator music; you can dress up or down; and the food was well timed and not rushed).
I've heard that people complain that Quiessence is too expensive for the experience. I say PHOOEY! The food is fresh and organic. The food selection is interesting and unique. And the experience is special (read: NOT Scottsdale).
This place is off the beaten path and I'm sorry we waited three years to experience it. Mea Culpa, mea culpa, mea maxima culpa. -
Review from Leah C.
Chandler, AZ
10/23/2008
This is a belated review....
We went for New Year's dinner two years ago and though it was freezing out side the food was amazing. I can't remember the courses but everything was delightful - very unique and local. I used to work nearby and went to the farm often. With a new job I've lost time and am not in the area as much and pretty much forgot about it.
It's defintiely a hidden treasure and I plan on making a reservation soon! -
Review from Emily D.
Washington, DC
2/22/2009
We went here for a special Valentines day dinner and it was PERFECT!
About 3 weeks before we started brainstorming ideas for a romantic and delicious spot and came across Quiessence as one of Phoenix's top 5 romantic restaurants so we thought we would look into it. They set up 3 seating tines 5, 7, and 9pm. Both the 7:00 and 9:00 times were full when we called (3 weeks prior) so we figured it would be amazing and took the 5:00 reservation.
What I love about Quiessence is that you totally feel like you have left Phoenix/Scottsdale. This is NOT in a strip mall and it does NOT have vallet. We parked and had to walk pretty far to reach the restaurant and actually walked through a wedding reception. When we sat down, we also noticed that the people dining around us all looked like they had real parts (unlike many Scottsdale restaurants) and seemed to be having just as great of a time as we were.
Our table was fantastic-nestled in the back corner with a perfect view of the back yard complete with fire places. Our meal was unreal. The Valentine menu included 4 courses all of which were decedent. We went with the wine pairing for each course and couldn't have made a better choice. I had an unbelievable salad with blood oranges and pistachio nuts dressed with a light vinaigrette. The combination of flavors and textures was so well thought, I could have had another serving and been happy forever. For my entree I enjoyed scallops served with pearl onions served over risotto. Once again the flavors were surreal. Our dessert was adorable and served on a large wooden block. We each had mini cups of hot chocolate with chocolate chip cookies, lemon bars and a variety of truffles.
I couldn't have picked a better place to enjoy a romantic meal with my special valentine. Great job Quiessence! I cannot wait to return -
Review from Jamie H.
Phoenix, AZ
1/20/2011
I've been here a few times, and every time has been impeccable. This is, by far, my favorite fine dining restaurant in the Valley. Fresh local food transformed into the most delicious meals by an amazing chef.
If you are looking for the most romantic setting, or the best Phoenix food, or amazing service, or some combo of the above, please check out this restaurant. You will be amazed! I HIGHLY recommend the Farmers Feast with wine pairings.
And if you haven't been to the Farm, come a little early and wander around the Farm and check out the chickens and flowers and lovely pecan trees. -
Review from Yee Gan O.
3/14/2009
On a trip where I ate at some very nice and upmarket restaurants, I looked back at my notes on Quiessence and found it hard to decide on its Yelp star rating. The quality of the food almost took it down to 3 stars but in the end, their attempt to be really interested and concerned about the provenance of their produce raised it to 4 stars. I felt that I could really taste the difference with the quality of the ingredients used.
The restaurant itself has a really rural feel to it despite being minutes from metropolitan Phoenix. The long driveway off the main road seems like a step into another world and the long walk from the car park to the low rise restaurant adds to the distinct impression that you're in the country. The interesting history of the restaurant and its associated projects on the grounds are explained in the menu. There is a changing daily menu and the use of fresh local produce is commendable.
Unfortunately, for me personally, it just all felt a little sterile and there wasn't much atmosphere in the place. Unlike some over-posh city establishments, I had expected more of a buzz and hubbub in this quaint restaurant but it was almost the opposite. The staff were efficient enough but lacked the true warmth of natural hosts. There was also the amusing view of them bringing in all the dishes from the kitchen which must have been in another building as they were carrying plates in from outside. This became especially interesting when it started raining.
I started with a board of charcuterie and cheese, which was almost the best course as you could taste the top class ingredients in their pure form. I was interested to taste a pluot for the first time, which was a cross between a plum and an apricot.
The next course of squash salad was average and not very exciting.
Perhaps the worst dish of the evening was cheese pasta with sausage that just had the wrong balance of ingredients. Too heavy for my liking.
However, the next course of steelhead with heirloom tomatoes was much better with perfectly cooked fish accompanied by some super sweet mis-shapen (yay!) tomatoes.
Unfortunately, this was followed by braised lamb that had unfortunately been over-seasoned.
The most spectacular course of the evening was the amazing dessert board. There was melon carpaccio with strawberry, goat's cheesecake, lemon cream, crumb cake, a cookie and truffles.
It's a real shame as I had really wanted to like Quiessence before I dined there but the overwhelming feeling as I left was that it could have been so much better. -
Review from michael m.
Tempe, AZ
10/17/2010
I liked the idea of using locally produced products, unfortunately value for money was not there. With a food and wine bill at over $100/person the food quality should be extra special.
Our overall opinion was that the food was either a little too salty and or a little bland (most dishes).
The fish (marlin) cooked to perfection, the butter nut squash great flavor and mushroom soup tasted like a packet soup - so some dishes really nice, but others either bland or over salted.
The young lady serving us, although very attentive tended to be a little too serious. A little smile or joke might have been in order.
We were never rushed and spent 2- 3 hours just chatting - setting was wonderful so high marks for the ambiance.
Just a pity the food did not match ambiance etc. I guess I'm spoiled by my wife's cooking.
8/18 update - perhaps I was a little harsh the first time-around. Second visit to the restaurant - food and ambiance excellent. Great way to spend several hours with friends -
Review from Nathan M.
Phoenix, AZ
1/30/2010
This is my favorite restaurant in the Phoenix area. There, I wrote it...and I am sticking to it. First off -- fresh local, sustainable, organic are not just words on the menu and the website. Now, in places like San Francisco and NYC, this would be nothing notable, but in the desert, it is truly something hard to find. Aside from the practical, in the land of Fox Restaurants (True aside) and the big box store at the strip mall, there really appears to be little demand for a small, local restaurant on a farm. It's time to make new demands! It's time to say no to the next Zinburgergeist and try that little corner place run by your neighbor...but I digress.
We enjoyed the Farmer's Feast and it was worth every penny of the $65/person. First, the house cured meats, including the head cheese, were amazing. Second, how often do you get a chef's menu where each person's plate is different? Not often. Ultimately we each tried 10 different items. And each item, was amazing. I would come back for the pasta alone, let along the perfectly cooked scallops, and melt in your mouth sliced fillet.
The service was ideal. If you want to eat in 60 minutes, don't come here, but if you want to enjoy in evening of great food, do come here. I noted to the waiter that the previous night they had sturgeon -- something I haven't seen on a menu since N. California. I commented on how unique it is, etc...Of course, it was not available on the night I was there...or was it? When it came to our fish course, the waiter brought out sturgeon for me. The restaurant didn't have enough to have it on the menu, but the waiter clearly put in a special request on my behalf and made the effort to make a diner happy.
Maybe if I offer to work on the farm I can eat for free...
