The Best Cafe Review Photos of 2019

Friday, October 11, 2019 at 2 p.m.

Jackie Mercandetti Butternut squash-filled Agnolotti, arancini, truffled panzanella, and the Italian Bird cocktail at Parma Italian Roots. 1/40

Jackie Mercandetti The Wood Oven Carrots from Parma Italian Roots. 2/40

Jackie Mercandetti The scorching hot mentaiko pasta at Katsu. 3/40

Jackie Mercandetti The kimchi pasta, bulgogi burrito, and katsu at Katsu. 4/40

J. Mercandetti Photo The $49 beef short rib that we argue is, against all odds, worth the price at La Hacienda. 5/40

J. Mercandetti Photo The Barbary Fig and Serrano margaritas at La Hacienda. 6/40

Jackie Mercandetti A meat platter is anchored with brisket and lightened with pickles and onions at Little Miss BBQ. 7/40

Jackie Mercandetti Little Miss BBQ is serving two new sides — Brussels sprouts (top middle) and mac and cheese (bottom middle). 8/40

Jackie Mercandetti Bun bo Hue with a helping of Vietnamese coffee at 3 Regions Vietnamese Kitchen. 9/40

Jackie Mercandetti The prepared Vietnamese coffee at 3 Regions Vietnamese Kitchen can get you through just about anything. 10/40

Jackie Mercandetti Kona kampachi crudo with kumquats at Talavera. 11/40

Jackie Mercandetti Vanilla catalyzes a beet salad at Talavera. 12/40

Jackie Mercandetti Buffalo mozzarella, have mercy. 13/40

Jackie Mercandetti The Zenzero cocktail packs a garden rosemary punch. 14/40

Jackie Mercandetti Mexican wild shrimp at the new Chula. 15/40

J. Mercandetti Photo Smoked trout and salmon at Chula Seafood Uptown. 16/40

J. Mercandetti Photo The selection of responsible seafood at Chula Seafood Uptown. 17/40

Jackie Mercandetti Snap peas channel spring. 18/40

Jackie Mercandetti A cortex of fried cauliflower. 19/40

Jackie Mercandetti Bartender making a Boulevardier cocktail. 20/40

Jackie Mercandetti Dishes change rapidly with the produce seasons. 21/40

Jackie Mercandetti The seasonal vegetables at Singh Farmers Market. 22/40

JM Photo A few offerings at Anhelo. 23/40

JM Photo The watermelon salad at Anhelo. 24/40

JM Photo The Big Daddy platter at The Root and Soul. 25/40

JM Photo Get loud about the hush puppies at the Root and Soul. 26/40

Jackie Mercandetti Phoenix's most interesting daiquiri may be at Little Rituals. 27/40

Jackie Mercandetti Claypot wings with Noble bread at Little Rituals. 28/40

Jackie Mercandetti The Chongqing-style spicy chicken at Old Town Taste in Tempe. 29/40

Jackie Mercandetti Watercolor-purple strips of braised eggplant are a go-to at Old Town Taste. 30/40

Charles Barth Mofongo with garlic shrimp from Delicious by Aldu. 31/40

Delicious by Aldu Sancocho stew at Delicious by Aldu. 32/40

Jackie Mercandetti Chilaquiles from The Bread and Honey House. 33/40

J. Mercandetti Photo Crepes on deck at The Bread and Honey House. 34/40

Jackie Mercandetti Photo A mixed plate of seafood bites, including jellyfish (left) and ShinBay's opening trio (right). 35/40

Jackie Mercandetti Photo The soft chain mail of kohada nigiri. 36/40

Jackie Mercandetti Photo Tender is the veal tenderloin. 37/40

Jackie Mercandetti Photo The petite beignets can be worth the wait. 38/40

J. Mercandetti Photo Cheesey Safiha boat and with hummus at Shamy. 39/40

J. Mercandetti Photo Kashka dessert at Shamy. 40/40

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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