Mercat a la Planxa Restaurant Review

The Renaissance Blackstone Chicago

638 S. Michigan Ave. (Balbo Ave.) Send to Phone

312-765-0524 | Make Restaurant Reservations | Menu

Price

Mod setting overlooking the park sets the tone at this wildly flavorful Catalan restaurant from a Philly chef.

Mercat a la Planxa Restaurant is one of our 2012 | Top 10 Chicago Sexy Restaurants | Top 10 Chicago Small Plates Restaurants | Top 10 Chicago Thanksgiving Restaurants |

Cuisine

Open

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner daily

Features

View
Romantic setting
Private room(s)
Full bar
Reservations suggested
Valet parking
Casual dressy

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Dining room at Mercat a la Planxa, Chicago, IL

A riot of colors in the high-ceilinged, second-floor dining room overlooking Grant Park on some level prepares diners for the full-on flavor fest theyâ€™ll experience on the plate. Located in the renovated Blackstone hotel, this spot comes from chef Jose Garces (also of Philadelphiaâ€™s Amada and Tinto), who crafts Catalan tapas, plus grilled-to-order seafood and steaks. Wind your way through the large menu, starting with the generously sized charcuterie (jamÃ³n Serrano with pickled peppers and grainy mustard is hard to beat) and quesos (we like the Garroxta with sweet-savory roasted garlic-dulce de leche garnish). Small plates are highly seasoned---as in the super-garlicky shrimp, which would ward off vampires should they pass by your table. What really sticks with us, though, is the flatbread topped with short-rib meat, sweet horseradish cream and bacon. Of the grilled meats, skewers of chorizo are standouts. But the cheese selection---paired with truffled apple and lavender jam---is nothing to scoff at. Innovative cocktails make for good fun. With advance notice, parties of four or more can order a feast of roast suckling pig served with grilled green onions, herb-roasted fingerlings and rosemary white beans.