Follow Us On
Search Site
Since 1969, restaurant, hotel, travel & other witty reviews by a handpicked, worldwide team of discerning professionals—and your views, too.

Artichoke Cafe

424 Central Ave. Send to Phone
Albuquerque, NM 87106
505-243-0200 | Make Restaurant Reservations | Menu
artichokecafe.com
Your Opinion
Add your own review
This burnished café continues to put the art in artichoke with its New American cuisine. Artichoke Cafe Restaurant is one of GAYOT's 2013 | Top 10 Albuquerque Food Rating Restaurants |

Cuisine

Open

Lunch Mon.-Fri., Dinner nightly

Features

* Click here for rating key
Dining room at Artichoke Cafe, Albuquerque, NM

Artichoke Cafe Restaurant Review

: 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 Café 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 grilled lamb loin over wild mushroom risotto in artichoke-carrot ragoût or tea-smoked duck breast atop edamame, black beans and white quinoa in apricot gastrique. Signatures such as the prosciutto-wrapped scallops still surprise with their retro flourish of sauce charcutière, as do twists on old dessert favorites like the deconstructed lemon meringue pie. And while lunch service has long lured local power brokers who talk shop over the crêpe 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.

User Ratings & Reviews for Artichoke Cafe
Average rating    3
Reviews 1 - 2 of 21
Incredible as usual!
by FoodLover on Sat Nov 05, 2011 10:19 am
 
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 Tue Aug 12, 2008 11:44 am
 
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.
 
Reviews 1 - 2 of 21



RESTAURANT AWARDS 2013

Check out the 2013 edition of GAYOT's Annual Restaurant Issue, which features the Top 40 Restaurants in the U.S., Rising Chefs and more.

TRENDING TOPICS



 

 

Press | About Us | Site News | Rating System | Sitemap | Jobs | Advertising | Content Licensing

Copyright © 1996-2013 GAYOT ®       All Rights Reserved      Privacy Policy      Disclaimer      Terms of Use      GAYOT (pronounced guy-OH)   The Guide To The Good Life