The Artichoke Cafe

A few weeks ago, Anthony (my husband) and I accidentally found ourselves enjoying one of the best meals we've had since we moved here. Hunting for something close to the UNM campus, we stumbled into the Artichoke Cafe. Despite our slightly dented car, grad-student-worthy attire, and cranky toddler, we were greeted pleasantly by the staff and treated as nicely as if we had arrived in a Mercedes, dressed for the theatre.

The menu at the Artichoke Cafe reminded us of one of our favorite restaurants in Las Vegas, Table 34 (formerly Wild Sage Cafe). You can see it in all its glory at their excellent website, http://www.artichokecafe.com/, where you can also make reservations, review a gallery of pictures, and explore their catering services.

Although we had just stopped in for a quick dinner, we had to try the signature artichoke appetizer--afterall, they named the restaurant after it. The artichoke was served with three dipping sauces: a rasberry vinaigrette, a garlic aoli, and drawn butter, each of which had its merits, but my favorite was the simple drawn butter. It brought out the subtle flavor of the artichoke, one of my favorite vegetables, without overpowering it.

The entree I chose was equally well-balanced and flavorful. I enjoyed a pork loin wrapped in pancetta and served with a mustard pan sauce and carmelized onions that gave it just the right touch. Anthony informed me that while he enjoyed his Veal Marsala, he would have preferred my choice, were it not for the onions (he loves onions but, sadly, is allergic to them).

Our server knew enough about the relative merits of two wines I had picked out to help me decide which I'd like better. I enjoyed a glass of the Mr. Riggs Shiraz, which was a bit sharp but went well with the rich flavor of the pork.

By the end of the meal, we were full and our toddler was out of patience, so we passed on dessert. We're looking forward to celebrating our next special occasion with a return visit.