French Onion Soup. Patricia didn’t like so I just had it—some of it—this evening. Okay, not astonishingly good though. But very pretty in pictures.

My lovely granddaughter Patricia and I met at Artichoke Café for lunch. After years of only going there in the evening on special occasions with artists, I’ve now been for lunch twice in a row. I recommend it.

My current guidelines for eating out include food that is better than what I can prepare at home and an environment where it is possible to talk without shouting. Artichoke manages both and, while it is a bit pricey for everyday, if there’s a social reason for leaving your egg salad sandwich and your desk it is way better than Flying Star for noise and a whole lot of other Albuquerque restaurants for taste.

Truth is I’m not a big fan of lunches—too hot out, too expensive, too nap inducing, usually too noisy—but for a nice meeting up once in awhile they’re okay.

Yesterday, Flying Star with our new art teacher. FS does have better than average food, amazing pastries and nice coffee drinks (and the mango shake is almost worth standing in line) but it’s also pricey and way too noisy inside at typical mealtimes.

Today Artichoke Café with Patricia. Tomorrow Powdrells with a friend. Maybe Friday a new place with my kid Steven. Then I am not going out to lunch again until I reach Dubai in September!

So here are the pretty pictures from today.

Patricia loved her salad.

Goat Cheese & Porcini Ravioli with arugula pasta, pecorino romano, marinara al funghl, fried leeks. I know the ravioli looks a little … odd, but it was superb.

Pretty Patricia with our FAVORITE FOOD, the BREAD.