The Best Cafe Review Photos of 2019

By Lauren Cusimano

Friday, November 29, 2019 at 3 p.m.

Jackie Mercandetti Photo One of the best ceviche plates in town is at Vecina. 1/38

Jackie Mercandetti Photo Mezcal cocktail, smoky treasure chest, all at Vecina. 2/38

JM Photo Steak frites with the hangar steak at Maple & Ash. 3/38

Jackie Mercandetti The Wood Oven Carrots from Parma Italian Roots. 4/38

Jackie Mercandetti The scorching hot mentaiko pasta at Katsu. 5/38

Jackie Mercandetti The kimchi pasta, bulgogi burrito, and katsu at Katsu. 6/38

J. Mercandetti Photo The $49 beef short rib that we argue is, against all odds, worth the price at La Hacienda. 7/38

J. Mercandetti Photo The Barbary Fig and Serrano margaritas at La Hacienda. 8/38

Jackie Mercandetti Little Miss BBQ is serving two new sides — Brussels sprouts (top middle) and mac and cheese (bottom middle). 9/38

Jackie Mercandetti Bun bo Hue with a helping of Vietnamese coffee at 3 Regions Vietnamese Kitchen. 10/38

Jackie Mercandetti The prepared Vietnamese coffee at 3 Regions Vietnamese Kitchen can get you through just about anything. 11/38

Jackie Mercandetti Kona kampachi crudo with kumquats at Talavera. 12/38

Jackie Mercandetti Vanilla catalyzes a beet salad at Talavera. 13/38

Jackie Mercandetti Buffalo mozzarella, have mercy. 14/38

Jackie Mercandetti The Zenzero cocktail packs a garden rosemary punch. 15/38

Jackie Mercandetti Mexican wild shrimp at the new Chula. 16/38

J. Mercandetti Photo Smoked trout and salmon at Chula Seafood Uptown. 17/38

J. Mercandetti Photo The selection of responsible seafood at Chula Seafood Uptown. 18/38

Jackie Mercandetti A cortex of fried cauliflower. 19/38

Jackie Mercandetti Bartender making a Boulevardier cocktail. 20/38

Jackie Mercandetti Dishes change rapidly with the produce seasons. 21/38

JM Photo A few offerings at Anhelo. 22/38

JM Photo The watermelon salad at Anhelo. 23/38

Jackie Mercandetti Phoenix's most interesting daiquiri may be at Little Rituals. 24/38

Jackie Mercandetti Claypot wings with Noble bread at Little Rituals. 25/38

Charles Barth Mofongo with garlic shrimp from Delicious by Aldu. 26/38

Delicious by Aldu Sancocho stew at Delicious by Aldu. 27/38

Jackie Mercandetti Chilaquiles from The Bread and Honey House. 28/38

J. Mercandetti Photo Crepes on deck at The Bread and Honey House. 29/38

Jackie Mercandetti Photo A mixed plate of seafood bites, including jellyfish (left) and ShinBay's opening trio (right). 30/38

Jackie Mercandetti Photo The soft chain mail of kohada nigiri. 31/38

Jackie Mercandetti Photo Tender is the veal tenderloin. 32/38

Jackie Mercandetti Photo The petite beignets can be worth the wait. 33/38

J. Mercandetti Photo Cheesey Safiha boat and with hummus at Shamy. 34/38

J. Mercandetti Photo Kashka dessert at Shamy. 35/38

Charles Barth Horchata and watermelon agua fresca at La Bamba in El Mirage. 36/38

Charles Barth The al pastor tacos are now legendary at La Bamba in El Mirage. 37/38

JM Photo The ricotta agnolotti at Maple & Ash. 38/38

The Best Cafe Review Photos of 2019

In 2019 we've visited a number of restaurants for Cafe Reviews — everything from pasta at a busy Asian supermarket to the follow-up locations of Little Miss BBQ and Chula Seafood. Plus some 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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