New food photography for Matador Cantina

Food Photography - Rio Photography
Matador Cantina

This was one of my favorite places to shoot. As soon as you walk into the restaurant, you are immediately intrigued by the historic architecture and brick walls. Matador's was built in the oldest buildings in Fullerton dating back to the late 1800s. The decor was made of iron and rich leather- all hand made. The place is dark and moody but definitely has the energy reminiscent of the restaurant's mascot- the bull! Great place to bring your date or the guys to watch sports. One of the best bars in Orange County.

I was hired to shoot food photography for the Matador Cantina recently. They have some incredible and very original dishes like the two-shelled taco, guac burger, queso fundido dip and the albondigas soup. Along with an assortment of great drinks that look as good as they taste.

For this restaurant, I wanted to go with lots of color to contrast the dark wood tones of the decor. We spent a lot of time on the lighting with each shot taking almost 45 minutes to light and prop. You can't rush art right? I was very very happy with the way these shots came out and they've contributed greatly to the restaurant's marketing campaign. As a matter of fact, Matador Cantina just got voted #1 Happy Hour bar in OC by Citysearch. I was equally as happy eating some of this great food afterward. The best part about being a food photographer! Check this place out for yourself. Independently owned and operated, Matador Cantina brings North Orange County an entirely new dining and social experience.

The menu, prepared by Executive Chef David Dennis, offers a fusion of traditional and contemporary Mexican-inspired cuisine and has an emphasis on using fresh, high quality ingredients. A diverse drink menu includes signature margaritas and mojitos, bottle and draft beer, and an array of popular and boutique Spanish, Californian, and South American wines. In addition to daily lunch, dinner and late-night menus, we proudly offer brunch, served Saturday and Sunday. For those on the go, Curbside Service is provided as an added convenience.

Housed within Fullerton’s oldest building, the cantina’s 110-year-old exposed brick walls, weathered hard wood floors, dark wood finishes, and chandelier and candle lighting create a decidedly warm ambiance with undeniably unique character and charm. The main dining and bar area features comfy leather booths opposite a magnificently crafted 14-foot-tall back bar. An intimate lounge with tables and cushioned ottomans, as well as booths designed for larger parties provide further seating alternatives to relax and enjoy.

For great Mexican food, extraordinary ambiance and superior guest service, Matador Cantina promises an altogether enjoyable experience. by Alan De Herrera
Orange County Food Photographer
714 335-3252