I worked at Quiessence for a short time so I know it well. I am friends with the GM, Dustin, as well as the Chef, Greg LePrad.
The place is a cultural gem in Phoenix, and is the ultimate place to take Out-of-Towners to show them that Phoenix is not all strip mall dives and fast food chains.
Quiessence follows the "Slow Food" way as a philosophy and Greg and Dustin utilize the local produce from Maya's Farm to create delicious and simple rustic new American fare. Do not expect seeing Scottsdale waifs with big racks drinking red bull and vodka here. The only chicks your going to see are baby Guineafowl scratching for bugs outside your urban farm window. This place is organic, natural, and relaxed.
Chef - Icon, Alain Ducasse wrote in his 2000 book, Harvesting Excellence, he wrote that the Farm at South Mountain as "Eden-like."
Adam...Eve...return to the garden as the Guineahen will keep the serpent at bay.