Taste of Chicago - Mercat a la Planxa

Mercat a la Planxa
638 Michagan Ave.
Chicago, IL 60605
(312) 765-0524

A couple weeks ago, I was in Chicago with some of my best girlfriends from college. We were doing our annual girlfriend trip and around to help one of the girls bid Chicago "adieu". She is a  warm-blooded southerner and one year in the windy city (and a historic blizzard) had her ready to back her bags and head back to milder temps.

As we have gotten older, getting together and planning these trips appear to get harder and harder. Little things like running businesses, writing novels, kids and conquering the world (lol) make it very difficult to sync schedules. So when we are able to successfully confirm a trip, we try to savor every minute of the 48-72 hours we may have with each other. Our two points for a successful girlfriends' weekend: lots of conversation and great food. Voila!!! Chicago, in the summer was the perfect place to accomplish both. The next few posts for A-List Lifestyle will be dedicated to my taste of Chicago. First stop, Merkat a la Planxa.

(from the Mercat website)
Take a culinary tour of Barcelona right on Michigan Avenue at Mercat a la Planxa, where Catalan-inspired cocktails and cuisine come to life.


Start with a round of sparkling Cava or a pitcher of fruity sangria before digging into Mercat's menu of traditional tapas, grilled steaks, market-fresh seafood, artisanal cheeses and cured meats.

Whatever your pleasure, Chef Jose Garces' mod-Mediterranean kitchen delivers a dose of Catalan soul straight to your table.

Mercat a la Planxa - Chicago's new Catalan destination

Who does not love tapas?? Raise your hand and then pop yourself in the head. Tapas are the perfect way to experience international flavor and share a meal with a table of friends. I was fresh off of a flight from Atlanta, elated to see my friends and ready to eat!!! Bring on the mini plates.

Dante was our server and did an excellent job explaining the menu and recommending dishes. He was almost too good; between four people our table was spilling over with dishes. Mercat teases you with a free order of their house flat bread. That was not enough...we ordered two more orders.

Here are some of the dishes brought to our table:

• Patatas Bravas (Spicy Potatoes with Spicy Paprika Aioli) 2 orders
• Mar I Muntanya I (Smoked Veal Sausage, Charred Baby Octopus, Arbequina Olive Potato Salad & Piquillo Vinaigrette)
• Gambas al Ajlilo (Garlic Shrimp)
• Mixto (Chef's Selection of Cheeses)
• Calamari
• Setas al Horno (Wild Mushrooms, Confit Potato, Shallot & Parsley)

The setas al horno/wild mushrooms were probably the best mushrooms I have ever had in life. Seriously, they were that good.

No surprise, my dinner mates and I were overwhelmed and overstuffed. What an experience?!?!?! The food was great, the service was perfect and I started off my taste of Chicago with a little Spanish flare!!!!


**A-List Tip - Go to Mercats with an open mind. You will be in good hands. Taste the menu and consider recommendations from the server.

Happy Dining!!!!