As it turned out, my discovery was not true baby artichokes.
The small ones - often called baby artichokes - are not actually babies at all.
Baby artichokes, tarragon and basil are added at the end.
His restaurants use baby artichokes, currently $40 a case.
True baby artichokes have no choke at all and are entirely edible.
Baby artichokes are at their best sauteed until crisp in olive oil.
Baby artichokes are both more versatile and a little more complicated.
(In the spring I'm going to try this dish with baby artichokes.)
Baby artichokes do not require as much preparation.
Baked black bass with baby artichokes, by contrast, was well cooked but lacking seasoning.