Day Trips from Scottsdale: The Farm at South Mountain (Phoenix,AZ)

One of the great things about the Phoenix metropolitan area is the abundance of unique weekend destinations for both food and fun. While I love all that my home city of Scottsdale has to offer during the week, I like to load the family into the car on the weekend and visit one of the many attractions that the rest of the Valley has to offer.

Previous editions of my blog have followed the Slaybaugh family to Schnepf Farms in Queen Creek and to the higher country of Sedona and Prescott. Today, we are going to pay a visit to a wonderfully bucolic landmark smack dab in the middle of Phoenix.

The Farm at South Mountain is one of my favorite spots to enjoy healthy breakfast fare which consists of fresh local produce, herbs, citrus and dairy. I wolfed down the Southwestern breakfast burrito with a medley of fresh vegetables just this morning, in fact. Located right next to the organic garden, the outdoor seating area commands instant relaxation. Even if your two year old is actively trying to stab your 9 month old with a fork.

The 12 acre expanse of The Farm includes three separate restaurants. The Morning Glory is, predictably, a breakfast cafe. The Farm Kitchen is the original restaurant, and primarily serves lunch along with morning snacks. With park bench seating under the shady branches of a pecan tree grove, you'll forget that you are in the desert while enjoying a made-from-scratch treat. The Quiessence Restaurant and Wine Bar is what you think it is: upscale dining. Phoenix Magazine tagged it as "the best restaurant in Phoenix" in January, 2007. Contemporary American farm cuisine is the moniker given to the menu. I don't know what that means, but the organic, locally produced dishes are amazing.

Other attractions on The Farm include:

• The Retreat. Straight from their website, The Retreat invites (by appointment) patrons to Deeply relax and rejuvenate with massage. hot and cold stones, shiatsu, vibrational essences, facials, tea ceremonies, intuitive readings, healing sessions and more. Check our calendar for yoga, meditation, chi gung, and creative exploration classes.

• The Artist Studio. Also according to their website, The Artist Studio at The Farm is a new cultural/educational center working to promote creativity while connecting with deeper values in the natural environs of The Farm. Visit The Cottage, home to ever changing art mediums featuring the fine art of Artist's in Residence. Relax and enjoy shopping for original gifts created by local artists. In The Studio we offer art classes, writing workshops, educational lectures, youth home school classes, field trips and staff retreats. Explore our website to discover upcoming special events and to register for classes.

• The Doctor's Office, also by appointment only, is home to a resident practitioner of naturopathic medicine.

• Maya's at The Farm is the organic garden which produces many of the fresh vegetables and herbs used by the three restaurants. Named for Maya Dailey, who tends the garden, Maya's holds a farmer's market every Saturday between 9 AM and 1 PM. In adjunct to the garden is a greenhouse and the chicken coup (my toddler's personal favorite). Watch those little ones' fingers, though, as the chicken wire enclosure is electrified!

The Farm is a magical place to visit for special occasions as well as laconic Sunday mornings. I have been fortunate to enjoy birthdays, Easter brunch and just-because mornings within its friendly confines, and have never left in a bad mood.

Private parties and weddings are available for booking as well.

Whether you are new to the area, visiting for the season, or one who simply doesn't often venture outside of your comfort zone in Scottsdale or Paradise Valley, I urge you to make a trip to this special place. The coffee is good, the mimosas are great, and the setting is out of this world!

For hours, directions and upcoming events (New Year's Eve celebration), please visit The Farm at South Mountain.

What? Did you think I would miss out on the fun?

Paul Slaybaugh with Realty Executives is your Scottsdale AZ Realtor. A Scottsdale native, Paul has been selling Scottsdale, Phoenix and Paradise Valley AZ Real Estate since 1999, and selling the virtues of Arizona living even longer. If you are looking to buy or sell Real Estate in the greater Phoenix area, or just wondering where to get a decent cup of coffee and an omelet, call Paul today at (480) 948-9450 or send him an email at paul@rayandpaul.com.