Artichoke frustration

Dalat has the most amazing produce we've seen in any markets. All the Asian vegs, familiar and unfamiliar, but also beautiful red cabbages, zucchinis, avocados, and artichokes. The artichokes are huge, and look fabulous. But can I find them in any of the restaurants? No. I have asked several times, and have been told they could make artichoke tea, or artichoke milk shakes, but that they won't/don't cook them any other way. Arrgh. I'm fantasizing about steamed artichokes with butter and garlic.

And the avocados. You'd think some enterprising person would have figured out that western tourists would pay big money for avocados on their salads, or for guacamole. Nope. Avocado is an option at breakfast, and I've been mashing it into my baguette, but the only place we've seen it on menus is as a milk shake.