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The Best Cafe Review Photos of 2019

By Lauren Cusimano

Thursday, January 9, 2020 at 10 a.m.

Jackie Mercandetti Photo Bacon-wrapped dates at Persephen. 1/42

Jackie Mercandetti Photo Duck l'orange at Persephen. 2/42

Jackie Mercandetti Photo Bolognese from Saint Pasta. 3/42

Jackie Mercandetti Photo One of the best ceviche plates in town is at Vecina. 4/42

Jackie Mercandetti Photo Mezcal cocktail, smoky treasure chest, all at Vecina. 5/42

JM Photo Steak frites with the hangar steak at Maple & Ash. 6/42

Jackie Mercandetti The Wood Oven Carrots from Parma Italian Roots. 7/42

Jackie Mercandetti The scorching hot mentaiko pasta at Katsu. 8/42

Jackie Mercandetti The kimchi pasta, bulgogi burrito, and katsu at Katsu. 9/42

J. Mercandetti Photo The $49 beef short rib that we argue is, against all odds, worth the price at La Hacienda. 10/42

J. Mercandetti Photo The Barbary Fig and Serrano margaritas at La Hacienda. 11/42

Jackie Mercandetti Little Miss BBQ is serving two new sides — Brussels sprouts (top middle) and mac and cheese (bottom middle). 12/42

Jackie Mercandetti Bun bo Hue with a helping of Vietnamese coffee at 3 Regions Vietnamese Kitchen. 13/42

Jackie Mercandetti The prepared Vietnamese coffee at 3 Regions Vietnamese Kitchen can get you through just about anything. 14/42

Jackie Mercandetti Kona kampachi crudo with kumquats at Talavera. 15/42

Jackie Mercandetti Vanilla catalyzes a beet salad at Talavera. 16/42

Jackie Mercandetti Buffalo mozzarella, have mercy. 17/42

Jackie Mercandetti The Zenzero cocktail packs a garden rosemary punch. 18/42

Jackie Mercandetti Mexican wild shrimp at the new Chula. 19/42

J. Mercandetti Photo Smoked trout and salmon at Chula Seafood Uptown. 20/42

J. Mercandetti Photo The selection of responsible seafood at Chula Seafood Uptown. 21/42

Jackie Mercandetti A cortex of fried cauliflower. 22/42

Jackie Mercandetti Bartender making a Boulevardier cocktail. 23/42

Jackie Mercandetti Dishes change rapidly with the produce seasons. 24/42

JM Photo A few offerings at Anhelo. 25/42

JM Photo The watermelon salad at Anhelo. 26/42

Jackie Mercandetti Phoenix's most interesting daiquiri may be at Little Rituals. 27/42

Jackie Mercandetti Claypot wings with Noble bread at Little Rituals. 28/42

Charles Barth Mofongo with garlic shrimp from Delicious by Aldu. 29/42

Delicious by Aldu Sancocho stew at Delicious by Aldu. 30/42

Jackie Mercandetti Chilaquiles from The Bread and Honey House. 31/42

J. Mercandetti Photo Crepes on deck at The Bread and Honey House. 32/42

Jackie Mercandetti Photo A mixed plate of seafood bites, including jellyfish (left) and ShinBay's opening trio (right). 33/42

Jackie Mercandetti Photo The soft chain mail of kohada nigiri. 34/42

Jackie Mercandetti Photo Tender is the veal tenderloin. 35/42

Jackie Mercandetti Photo The petite beignets can be worth the wait. 36/42

J. Mercandetti Photo Cheesey Safiha boat and with hummus at Shamy. 37/42

J. Mercandetti Photo Kashka dessert at Shamy. 38/42

Charles Barth Horchata and watermelon agua fresca at La Bamba in El Mirage. 39/42

Charles Barth The al pastor tacos are now legendary at La Bamba in El Mirage. 40/42

JM Photo The ricotta agnolotti at Maple & Ash. 41/42

Jackie Mercandetti Photo "Pizza" from the deep fryer at Linger Longer Lounge from Saint Pasta. 42/42

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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