The historic Blackstone Hotel, which recently reopened after a Marriott buyout, has a flashy new tenant. Mercat a la Planxa, a Catalan tapas bar, opened on March 8 to much fanfare. In addition to a stylish multitiered interior, the menu is garnering attention—food blogger Mike Nagrant of HungryMag.com called the restaurant's rabbit agnolotti "my favorite new dish of the year."
Celebrated chef Jose Garces, a Chicago native who made a name for himself with Amada and Tinto in Philadelphia, partnered with Sage Restaurant Group for the project. His menu of cured meats, cheeses, flatbreads, and grilled entrées, plus sangria, cocktails, and Spanish wines, is bringing Mediterranean tastes to a neighborhood filled with fast-food joints.
The sprawling main dining room seats 190, while the downstairs lounge can accommodate 20 guests. La Veranda, a secluded private dining space within the restaurant, overlooks the main dining room. Seating 16, La Veranda features audiovisual equipment and flat-screen TVs. Mercat also offers catering services for parties of any size.
Celebrated chef Jose Garces, a Chicago native who made a name for himself with Amada and Tinto in Philadelphia, partnered with Sage Restaurant Group for the project. His menu of cured meats, cheeses, flatbreads, and grilled entrées, plus sangria, cocktails, and Spanish wines, is bringing Mediterranean tastes to a neighborhood filled with fast-food joints.
The sprawling main dining room seats 190, while the downstairs lounge can accommodate 20 guests. La Veranda, a secluded private dining space within the restaurant, overlooks the main dining room. Seating 16, La Veranda features audiovisual equipment and flat-screen TVs. Mercat also offers catering services for parties of any size.
Photo: Courtesy of Sage Restaurant Group
Photo: Courtesy of Sage Restaurant Group
Photo: Courtesy of Sage Restaurant Group
Photo: Courtesy of Sage Restaurant Group
Photo: Courtesy of Sage Restaurant Group
Photo: Courtesy of Sage Restaurant Group
Photo: Courtesy of Sage Restaurant Group