After spending years studying pizza dough at the family restaurant in Staten Island, cousins Francis Garcia and Sal Basille set out to Manhattan to create their own mouthwatering artisanal pizzas in a hip and lively atmosphere. Like Emperor Claudius’ secret discotheque underneath the Colosseum, the Artichoke eateries combine rich Italian tradition with the revelry of modern nightlife, plying patrons with frosty beers and delicious reserve wine as they sample slices of pie decked with toppings such as fresh basil, meatballs, and artichokes. Their pizzas have captured the taste buds of celebrities such as Keith Richards of the Rolling Stones and David Chang of the momofuku restaurant group. A lineup of noncircular eats including homemade garlic sticks, meatballs, and stuffed artichokes tastefully garnishes the cheesy discuses.