Mercat A La Planxa To Celebrate Five Years

Adjacent to the historic Blackstone Hotel sits the modern Catalan tapas restaurant and bar, Mercat a la Planxa (638 S Michigan). It was introduced in 2008 with the help of highly acclaimed Executive Chef Jose Garces. The restaurant will celebrate its 5-year anniversary with a huge blowout bash on Tuesday, March 5^th from 7 to 10 p.m. The party will feature a lot of pig and a lot of rabbit, with five different pig stations, a pig tasting menu created by Garces and Chef de Cuisine Cory Morris, and it will be paired with local brewery 5 Rabbit.

If you love pork and quality cuisine, this party will be a paradise for your taste buds. The main event starts at 7, with a cake celebration at 9 p.m. The event will be $55 per person and it includes tax, gratuity and a commemorative glass. Reservations are required and can be made by calling 312-542-3600. The anniversary menu and pairings include:

Passed Hors d’oeuvres

Bacon Wrapped Dates

Chorizo a la Planxa

Mushroom Coca

One Year Aged Manchego with Quince

Truita de Patata y Espinacas

Pig Stations and 5 Rabbit Beer Pairings

Belly

Chamomile-smoked pork belly on bahama bread with pickled Fresno chilies guindilla cabbage slaw

Huitzi: Mid-winter ale (8.5%)

Chicharones

Crispy chicharones with mustard vinaigrette, mache, compressed melon and Serrano ham

5 Lizard: Latin-style with bier (4.3%)

Ribs

Grilled Short Ribs with ancho chili marinade and Iberico migas

5 Vulture: Oaxacan ale with ancho chilies  (6.4%)

Shoulder

5 Rabbit braised pork shoulder with patatas a la riojana and Manchego espuma

5 Rabbit: Golden Ale with Saaz Hops (5.3%)

Ground

Pork meat balls with piquillo pepper sofrito, grated garroxta cheese and micro arugula

5 Grass: Hoppy Ale with spices (6.4%)