Artichokes Ristorante Trattoria

I'm so glad that we found this tiny Italian restaurant. Everything was delicious & served piping hot. I had the chicken broccoli alfredo and my friend had the chicken parm and we both enjoyed our meals. Portions are huge, so you can have more than one meal. Prices are in the $15-$20 range for entrees. Our waitress was extremely friendly & nice. She recommended a great wine with our meal. I went around 8:30 on a Saturday night and only had a 10 minute wait, but I hear the line can be out the door. Not sure of their hours. I've heard that they don't accept reservations. Be prepared to spend an hour and a half to two hours for the meal.

Ok... where to start.

The Wait:
waited about an hour but that is def. to be expected when you go here. Always busy even when it was in Malden.

The Service:
this is where things go down hill. I'm pretty sure the order is usually 1.bread 2.appetizer 3. entree, right? Wrong... they all came out one right after each other so the entree was taken back so we could start eating the app.

The Atmosphere:
very very loud, maybe this is my fault, I was under the impression this was a restaurant not a pub where people yell and laugh REALLY loud.

The food was good (large portions), and the wait staff were actually very nice but, for me, that doesn't out weigh the cons.

You cant beat it for the money, or the flavor.

My fiance and I went into Artichokes and were loving the decor before the Eggplant rollatini and wine simmered mussels even got to the table! The eggplant rollatini was amazing, and the mussels were too.

My fiance ordered a chicken dish, perhaps chicken picatta.. .she enjoyed it very much for dinner that night, then again for lunch the next day (portions are big!)
I had the Special of the Day- The chef had created this dish.....
Homemade Fusilli cooked in Red Wine, and served with cherry tomatoes, chicken, shrimp, peppers and onions in a homemade sauce. It was To Die For!
Prices aren't bad, anyone who is complaining about spending $10-16 on a plate of food has to re-think their dining out experiences.... because you cant get food of this quality at this price at many other places in the area.

Thought that the food was quite blend, no great flavor, and it is overpriced for Malden. They are much better restaurants with better prices around.
Although I liked the people, environment, and the feeling of a small, family restaurant, I thought that the pricing and actual food don't make it worth it to go back.

This place is a hidden jewel in malden, the land of pizza/sub shops. the portions are huge, so bring an empty stomach or consider sharing. The food is really good and well worth checking out!

I promise that Artichokes is better than the North End. When I first went for dinner, I was confused how a hole in the wall next to Dunkin' Donuts and Blaine Hair School could be any good. However, this "hole in the wall" was actually a hidden gem. The wait staff are friendly, the food is delicious, the portions are massive, and the atmosphere is romantic and relaxing. Also, great for special occasions. On Mother's Day and New Years they have special menus however make sure to get a reservation far in advance.

I was in a bad mood, and ready to shoot first when I arrived here to face an empty front foyer. Then I found out we had to wait, despite the fact that I saw an empty table. "Oh, we have call-ahead service now" the tardy hostess blithely said. The wait wasn't too long, but I was fuming. Then we ordered and everything changed. The service was attentive, and the food was fantastic. All I could say for the next hour was "fantastic". I love Boston's North End, but I frankly think this is as good as or better than any food I've had there. Even the cannoli was better than Mike's Pastry! Dinner was so good that my wife and I completely forgot we were going to go out to the movies after dinner, and just returned home to Weymouth.

This restaurant has a lot going for it. Dimly lit with an imtimate feel even when busy. The wine list is extensive and offers something for everyone including many wines by the glass. I have never had a bad meal here. I enjoy the fusilli alla Maria with its mushrooms and shrimp in a heavenly pink cream sauce. The chicken broccoli and fusilli is also excellent. The gnocchi was rather gummy...try something else. Service was excellent and well paced. The cappucino was okay...the fresh cannoli was terrific. Be prepared to take home a doggy bag. Portions are HUGE. Waits can be long on weekends but you'll be rewarded with great ambience, service, and tasty food.

Artichokes is a small place but worth it! The food is great and the service is good too. I wish it was bigger because I usually go out with a fairly large crowd. Went out with 8 in our group and they graciously accommodated us and everyone at the table enjoyed the food. No one was unhappy the wine was good overall Great place to dine! Its a hidden jewel.

Friends recommend this place, but would love to see a menu. Checked online and nothing...Anybody seen a menu they could share or recommend location. thx