Mercat a La Planxa
Anyone who watches “The Iron Chef” knows that celebrity chef Jose Garces is behind this dimly lit Tapas style restaurant located in the highly esteemed Renaissance Blackstone Hotel. In its three year lifetime, Mercat a La Planxa has earned a James Beard Award and has easily become one Chicago’s most sought after Spanish restaurants.
Upon entry, Mercat a La Planxa resembles a circular sub-level auditorium where the guests appear to be the center of attention. The elevated aisle that wraps around the entire restaurant grants staff members optimum visibility of the center entertainment. Since Mercat a La Planxa has an open floor plan, every seat in the house offers a great view of Grant Park. Hard to miss is the 30 foot high, glass enclosed private dining room referred to as the “Lava Rhoda” and the massive multi-colored hexagonal designer pieces guiding the way to the downstairs lounge.
In the lounge area, I enjoyed a delicious glass of the signature red sangria. Joey, the bartender made a very personable impression sharing with me some of his career goals and aspirations. If Joey was any indication of what the other staff members would be like, I knew it would be a pleasant night.
Upon being seated, it took over 10 minutes before we were even acknowledged by our “senior server”. When he finally came to the table, he didn’t point out any featured items or new additions. He neglected to share with us any of his favorite dishes and without so much as a proper introduction he asked us if we had been given enough time to order (I didn't complain, I just took note).
Disappointed in the lack of menu presentation, we entrusted the Chef with his personal tasting menu, which included three wine pairings suitable for each course (i.e. $65 dollars per person without the wine pairings). If you take this route, keep in mind that the chef has supreme jurisdiction over what is delivered to the table, and the chef knows all..
Plus it's just an exciting way to challenge your palate and explore a new menu. As long as you don't have too many crazy allergies, it can be rewarding to say you've tried something new and exotic.
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| Pan con Tomat |
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| Chorizo Cantimpalo and Cana De Cabra |
Paired with the first course was a citrus, crisp white Rias Baixas, 2006 vintage; it enhanced the lime and garlic in the “pan con tomat” which is served as a complimentary starter relatively similar to traditional bruschetta. Included in the first course was the “Chorizo Cantimpalo”; thinly sliced slivers of spicy cured meat served atop bread, “marinated olives”, and “Cana De Cabra” (a spreadable goat cheese, paired with thinly sliced apples and an accompanying balsamic strawberry preserve). The “Truita De Patata” had an interesting texture and consistency. This Spanish omelette, is more or less a spinach and potato frittata with a saffron aioli drizzle.
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| Truita De Patata |
Gine & Gine 2006 vintage, was the second course wine, a blend of Grenacha, Carinena, and Cabernet. Not to intimidate, but this is by no means a light wine, expect a spicy kick and a lingering aftertaste. So much to say about the “Datiles con Almendras”s; the combination of flavors in this sweet and savory treat was mind boggling to be sure. Drizzled with a thick sweet sauce similar to condensed milk, but wrapped in juicy bacon, you can't decide if it's a dessert or something else… Regardless, these stuffed dates are well worth the confusion; it's living proof that bacon really does make everything taste better!
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| Datiles Con Almendras |
Also noteworthy were the Creamy “Mixto Croquetas” stuffed with ham, chorizo, and romesco. Perfect in size, texture and consistency; savor them as long as you possibly can because they literally melt away before you you know it. Shrimp on pizza? Oh Mercat's got it! “Gambas Con Garbanzos” is a sweet, flaky flatbread pizza that’s topped with chorizo, shrimp, and a special garbanzo bean puree.
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| Gambas Con Garbanzos |
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| Mixto Croquetas |
Lamb lovers should consider the “Pelotas De Calabaza y Cordero”; A unique preparation of ground lamb, butternut squash dumplings, and tangy beech mushrooms.
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| Pelotas De Calabaza y Cordero |
Though our server did sporadically come by, Josh the runner who essentially delivered all of our food had already won us over.
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| Lentil salad with endive lettuce |
The third course wine was a 2004 Yonna Tempranillo, a well balanced medium to full bodied red wine with a milder blend of spices. The acidity of the wine paired well with the roasted tomatoes, and feta cheese in the warm lentil salad. The char grilled prawns were smoky but still tender and sweet in flavor. Last but not least was our juicy Black Angus rib-eye steak prepared borderline rare to med rare. Absolutely no complaints here; moist, flavorful, perfectly season and served hot off the grill!
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| Black Angus Rib-Eye |
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The Arroz con Leche was the perfect finale to a well rounded evening; a light creamy vanilla custard, swirling bits of rice, garnished with a refreshing dollop of the finest peach sorbet.
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| Arroz Con Leche and Peach Sorbet |
We sampled at least a fourth of the menu if not more in opting for the chef's tasting menu, but it wasn't a bargain. Between the two of us, we racked up a $240 dollar tab, adding to it two more glasses of wine and a dessert. If you're not very hungry, you're better off ordering a few dishes and perhaps a bottle of wine. Mercat a La Planxa is an enchanted little place, with decadent tapas plates that combine unique flavors to create an exceptional dining experience.
As delicious as the menu was, the service was less than satisfactory; I will be the first to say that I doubt I'll ever go back! If our server was considered a "senior server" I'm not so sure I dare take a chance on the newer ones.
One star for Mercat a La Planxa
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