The Best Cafe Review Photos of 2019 (So Far)

Friday, March 29, 2019 at 7 a.m.

Jackie Mercandetti Butternut squash-filled Agnolotti, arancini, truffled panzanella, and the Italian Bird cocktail at Parma Italian Roots. 1/28

Jackie Mercandetti Pappardelle Bolognese, with grilled octopus, at Parma Italian Roots. 2/28

Jackie Mercandetti The Wood Oven Carrots from Parma Italian Roots. 3/28

Jackie Mercandetti Parma bar and dining room at Parma Italian Roots. 4/28

Jackie Mercandetti The scorching hot mentaiko pasta at Katsu. 5/28

Jackie Mercandetti The kimchi pasta, bulgogi burrito, and katsu at Katsu. 6/28

Lauren Cusimano Mentaiko pasta, bulgogi burrito and Kimchi pasta among the shoppers at Katsu. 7/28

Jackie Mercandetti Katsu chef Danny Jeong went to culinary school in South Korea, and cooked in Italy and Los Angeles' Koreatown. 8/28

J. Mercandetti Photo Chicken soup and other dishes at La Hacienda. 9/28

J. Mercandetti Photo The $49 beef short rib that we argue is, against all odds, worth the price at La Hacienda. 10/28

J. Mercandetti Photo The Barbary Fig and Serrano margaritas at La Hacienda. 11/28

J. Mercandetti Photo An extensive remodeling has enhanced La Hacienda’s lounge. 12/28

Jackie Mercandetti A meat platter is anchored with brisket and lightened with pickles and onions at Little Miss BBQ. 13/28

Jackie Mercandetti Little Miss BBQ is serving two new sides — Brussels sprouts (top middle) and mac and cheese (bottom middle). 14/28

Jackie Mercandetti The always-busy order line at Little Miss BBQ. 15/28

Jackie Mercandetti Little Miss BBQ 2.0 is located on Seventh Street north of Dunlap Avenue. 16/28

Jackie Mercandetti The swordfish crudo at Bar Pesce. 17/28

Jackie Mercandetti The Parsley My Fault cocktail — a grassy concoction of gin and parsley at Bar Pesce. 18/28

Jackie Mercandetti For dessert? The biscuit doughnut at Bar Pesce. 19/28

JM Photo The bar of Bar Pesce. 20/28

Jackie Mercandetti Bun bo Hue with a helping of Vietnamese coffee at 3 Regions Vietnamese Kitchen. 21/28

Jackie Mercandetti The prepared Vietnamese coffee at 3 Regions Vietnamese Kitchen can get you through just about anything. 22/28

Jackie Mercandetti Dao opts to use coconut in her banh xeo, or savory crepes, at 3 Regions Vietnamese Kitchen. 23/28

Jackie Mercandetti The dining room at 3 Regions Vietnamese Kitchen. 24/28

Jackie Mercandetti The showstopping seafood paella at Talavera. 25/28

Jackie Mercandetti Kona kampachi crudo with kumquats at Talavera. 26/28

Jackie Mercandetti Vanilla catalyzes a beet salad at Talavera. 27/28

Jackie Mercandetti The incredible view from Talavera. 28/28

The Best Cafe Review Photos of 2019 (So Far)

Quarter one reports are in, and we have some picturesque results. So far in 2019 we've visited seven restaurants for Cafe Reviews — everything from pasta at a busy Asian supermarket to the follow-up location to Little Miss BBQ and a showstopping paella at Talavera. In addition to the spot-on descriptions and depictions from our food critic Chris Malloy, we've also seen some stunning food and restaurant photography from Jackie Mercandetti.

These are our favorites.

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