Desperately Seeking Wild Rice Risotto {Artichoke Cafe Review}

Artichoke Cafe Albuquerque

Anyone who knows me well knows it hard to drag me out of my hotel when I'm in town on business.  I'm not sure why because I have a lot of great friends in "the Q" that I miss a lot and there's SO much good food.... I don't know if it's the time change or just laziness but I just want to hole up when I'm there.  That said, I'm always grateful in hindsight when someone drags me out.  Last night my good friend, Snow {yes, she is named after precipitation}, from Placitas dragged me out.   

My Santiago Perez purchased from Artichoke Cafe

She picked me up and we went to the Artichoke Cafe on Central Avenue.  LOVE that place and haven't been 10 years I'll bet.... last time I was there I bought a huge oil painting by Santiago Perez off the wall.  I remember my friend Alisa couldn't believe that at the end of lunch I was like "I'd like to buy that painting" and I wrote out a check and carried it out.  A different life.  But I still have that painting on my living room wall.... we love it.  Might be the only true art I own. 


Well, they still have paintings on the wall for sale.  I didn't see any Santiago Perez, but there was some beautiful stuff.  And the food is STILL AMAZING!

Fine Dining at the Bar {Forque at the Albuquerque Hyatt}

I've stayed at the Albuquerque Hyatt many times over the years and they've always had a good menu in their old restaurant/bar, McGrath's, but their transition to Forque has definitely kicked it up a notch. Since I was alone waiting for my friend, Amy, I decided to wait at the bar and it had a great atmosphere, busy but not crazy. Service was attentive, friendly and downright funny! And MOST importantly the food and drinks were phenominal.....
I started with a dirty Martini... which I enjoyed with the seared Ahi with pickled cucumbers and red onions over a smear of chimayo remoulade with fresh cilantro, it was outrageous,  I could've eaten a couple of those and called it a day but I'm glad we stuck around and tried their Chili marinated Shrimp Flat bread with Pesto Basil & Oaxaca Cheese which I enjoyed with a lovely 2009 Pascual Toso Malbec.  It was A.  May.  Zing. While Amy and I were relishing our appetizers our new friend, Photographer, Gil Potts, was enjoying {& let me photograph and sample} the Steak & Eggs served with Green Chili Tater Tots and Chipolte Ketchup... OMGoodness.  Literally.  We had no need for dessert but it sure sounded lovely. Great finer dining option in Albuquerque even at the bar :) Thank you MaryBeth, Haley & Vicki for a lovely evening!