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 5th 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%)