Funny you should mention artichokes NYMafia.
There's four of us that go out for dinner 4 times a year. We generally go to Cleveland, Ohio that has some wonderful restaurants.
One of our favorites is Luca under the Viaduct, just outside of downtown. A rather high line joint with great views and better food.
My favorite appetiser is breaded artichoke stuffed with lobster and mascarpone on a bed of there fresh made marinara.
You start out with a whole loaf of brick oven baked bread. It's big round cut in quarters and looks like it's burnt but it's not, it's delish.
Their signature dish is Lobster Risotto. A large oval plate filled with their perfectly done risotto topped with a 2 lb. grilled lobster.
We take turns picking up the tab, at least a nickle or more plus tip while the other 3 bring a bottle of wine, usually more that the tab.
We are partial to Barolos, the King of Italian wines, especially when one of us is holdin' real well, brings a bottle of Gaja Sperss :-)