Artichoke Cafe

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.