Artichoke Cafe Restaurant Review

424 Central Ave. Send to Phone

Even upon entering its third decade, this burnished cafÃ© is still putting the art in artichoke.

Artichoke Cafe Restaurant is one of our 2012 | Top 10 Albuquerque Food Rating Restaurants |

Cuisine

New American

Open

Lunch Mon.-Fri., Dinner nightly

Features

Heart-healthy dishes
Romantic setting
Private room(s)
Full bar
Reservations suggested
Parking available
Casual

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Dining room at Artichoke Cafe, Albuquerque, NM

Since 1989, Pat and Terry Keene have been cultivating that rare breed of restaurant that is the neighborhood fixture---and doing it ever so artfully. Opening on the outskirts of a failing downtown, the Artichoke CafÃ© came into its own along with the Huning Highland District itself, now flanked by interesting galleries and live-work lofts. As produce-driven as the name suggests, the frequently changing New American menu is fresh without being pretentious---think seafood fritto misto with basil aÃ¯oli or artichoke-leek ravioli in brown butter and pink peppercorn sauce with pine nuts and ricotta salata. Signatures such as the prosciutto-wrapped scallops still surprise with their retro flourish of sauce charcutiÃ¨re, as do twists on old dessert favorites like limoncello-spiked cheesecake. And while lunch service has long lured local power brokers who talk shop over the crÃªpe du jour or steak frites, happy hour is drawing a whole new crowd now that the bar is shaking things up with craft cocktails, both classic and concocted.

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User Ratings & Reviews for Artichoke Cafe

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Reviews 1 - 2 of 2 1

Incredible as usual! by FoodLover on 11/05/2011

The Artichoke Cafe was incredible as usual. My husband and I dine at the restaurant often and have never been disappointed. The menu is impecable and the service is perfection! I have not had a bad experience once. The wine bar is beautiful and there is a great beverage list. They are always offering new drinks and the specials are always exciting. It is not often that you come across a gem like Artichoke Cafe. The service stands out and you are always greeted with a smile right when you walk in! The staff also does everything they can to make you happy. My favorite dishes include the duck, the pumpkin ravioli, the veal, and many more. Please try this restaurant for yourself! I would recommend this restaurant to anyone who enjoys AMAZING FOOD and IMPECABLE SERVICE!!!!!!!!!

Utterly Disappointed by Whispet on 08/12/2008

Perhaps the Artichoke Cafe was expecting 6 rich men ready to spend a pretty penny on champagne, appetizers, salads, entrees, desserts, and tea/coffee when I called in a reservation for 6. They were not ashamed to show their disappointment when it was just my family and I coming in for drinks, salad, and a few appetizers. There are no signs in the Artichoke Cafe that say only come into our restaurant if you plan on eating a full meal. We had, had a big lunch, and had heard great things about the Cafe, so I foolishly decided to bring my family there for a light dinner before they traveled back to Canada. Don't get me wrong, the service was impeccable as we sat down and browsed over the menu. The service went downhill once we just ordered a round of iced teas and soda. I'm assuming that's when the waiter decided, because we didn't order wine, we were expendable. We continued to order five Caesar Salads, a French Onion Soup, and some Spring Rolls. It took us one hour and forty five minutes to leave the restaurant with our simple order( I am not exagerating.) As we patiently waited for our food(without a single apology from the waiter, or check to see if we needed more beverages), the table next to us, who had come about half an hour after us, had received their cheese dish appetizer, their follow up artichokes, their entrees, and dessert. When our five salads, one French Onion Soup, and 2 Spring Rolls finally came, we were not too keen on having any dessert and asked for the check. Money was not why we did not order a huge meal. We went into a restaurant hoping to have a nice environment, and a couple of drinks, with a few bites. I will not suggest to my friends, who have been begging me to choose a place for my baby shower, that we have food at the Artichoke Cafe. I am honestly sad about the service we had at the Artichoke Cafe.