Mercat a la Planxa

The food was delicious. It's our go to when in the mood for tapas! The drinks are inventive without being off-putting. The bartender was happy to share his knowledge with us so we could learn more about the drink offerings. We had the La Puerto Rojas (gin) and the Grandpa's Flask (rye). They were just right. The tapas are so good. We especially loved the shrimp, the potatoes, the lamb chops and the best bacon wrapped dates. A great way to celebrate Christmas Eve. But we'll return very soon.

If I could give a restaurant 10 stars, it would be Mercat a la Planxa. We have never had so much fun eating dinner. The service was incredible. The food was amazing!!! Everything we ordered was delicious! We ordered the Traditional Experience Menu. It came with a little bit of everything. You paid the same price person. It was worth every penny. We left full and happy. (Note: Be sure to look at all my pics to see what we ate.)

We tried both the chef experience menu and the paella and found stuffed to the brim with delicious tapas dinner! The place was beautifully decorated, not too crowded, and service was good. We tried a plethora of dishes:
- paella de mariscos (small): big and filing, strong tomato flavor filled with seafood and charred artichoke, seafood were plump and delicious
- pan con tomate: bold tomato flavor, a bit salty
- jamon serrano: delicious, deep taste
- ensalada de tomaquet: the sweetest cherry tomatoes
- croqueta de pollo: okay
- pulpi a la planxa: soft and flavorful octopus
- mejillones: the mussels were absolutely delicious and the sauce is perfect to soak up the bread and enjoyed to the last bite
- secreto: the jam is brilliant and sweet yet the perfect pairing to the soft smoke pork, definitely highlight of the meal
- esparagos: addictive, i would eat more veggies if all veggies dish r like this
- cordero: tender juicy lamb, also absolutely delicious
- cheese cake for dessert: okay

The jam, mussel, pork and lamb were on point and the highlight of the dinner. If there’s a weak point, it’s likely dessert. This is an absolutely enjoyable place! I hope they’ll bring their happy hour back!

Wonderful tapas! Enjoyed everything from olivas, to pan con tomate, and the brocolini were amazing! Service was superb and the dining area was magical! Go by yourself, with a special person, or a small group - all would feel welcome! Enjoy!

This was one of the better meals we have had in a long time.

Every course was phenomenal, but the sliced pork, Octopus, Serrano Ham, and the cheesecake were highlights.

The service itself was top level. My wife and I drink a ton of water and usually sit with empty glasses at most places. However, we never were even able to get under a quarter full without someone at our table with water. They grabbed the dishes in perfect timing and always wiped up the table and provided new silverware.

Overall, we HIGHLY recommend this restaurant and will definitely be back.

Lovely! Birthday dinner, greeted with glasses of sparkling Cava. We chose to dine in the Catalan style restaurant by choosing the Authentic menu of pre-selected tapas. Bacon wrapped figs, patatas bravas, sweet potato croquettes and many other small plates. There were 3 of us dining so we ordered 2 sets of tapas. Our waiter Samuel was helpful and attentive.

Mercat a La Planxa is a Catalonian-inspired restaurant hidden off the lobby in the Blackstone Hotel. It is a very dramatic room. They offer a quite adequate Spanish wine list. We enjoyed the Pulpo a La Planxa tapas, and the Paella de Mariscos was absolutely delicious.
Antonio insured all our needs were professionally met.
We highly recommend this restaurant.

So far I have only eaten here just once for a dinner, first visit, table for two. Was impressed that the Chef seemed to be watching the table just as intently as our servers did, which made the chefs tasting menu a nice choice for the evening, every plate came out with perfect timing, and we left here quite full. Starting with some well made cocktails, then sangria which we loved. Servers were attentive and the host was quite helpful. The entire staff hit the mark, also a manager went around to all the tables and checked in with us on how the evening was going, which is always nice. Finding your way into the restaurant, and navigating your way to the restroom are a little bit confusing, so the restaurant host as well as the hotel reception staff are a kind and necessary help on your first visit. We were staying at the nearby Congress plaza hotel, where the food options do not compare, so perhaps we will stay here and have some brunch and more next time. I just added to this review a year after visiting because the menu is still on my mind! Now after perusing through the recent menu and other reviews I’m feeling more and more certain that we will return.

Had brunch before a musical matinee. Was pleasantly surprised with the food, service & atmosphere. Will definitely go back for the burger with an amazing bacon jam topping.

I would come back here without thinking twice! We were here for my husband's birthday and everything was wonderful! excellent attention, the place is very nice and the tasting menu is recommended and they gave us some churros for his birthday

Celebrated Thanksgiving dinner. First experience with the small dishes. The wait staff was superior and extend great compliment to the Chef(Chefs).

Stopped in for dinner with my coworkers a few nights ago. We did the Traditional Tasting Menu at the recommendation of our waiter. He was amazing. Very knowledgeable and knew his stuff. Best customer service I’ve ever had at a restaurant.
We also had the Aeros De Moriscos Paella’s.

The best paella’s I’ve had. The tasting menu was great. The food comes out staggered at the perfect time. It was a fun experience. The bacon wrapped dates were awesome. The Bavette was fantastic. The salsa brava and garlic aioli with chili oil on the Patatas Beavas was delicious. The meal was very filling and everything was delicious.

The servers replaced our plates multiple times to make the experience better. Foodies would love this place. I would do this again if I get back to Chicago.

Last visited in May...significant improvement since then. Chris, our server, Caesar, doubling as server and bus-person, and Chef Nick were at the top if their game on Christmas Eve. We shall return!

$75 chefs tasting menu is perfection - such large portions and high quality dishes. Amazing and balanced flavors. Highly recommend!

Great evening! Food was exquisite, ambiance was perfect; lively and fun! Definitely worth our walk in the cold Chicago wind! Birthday dessert was on the house!

The Traditional Tasting Menu was dynamite! Friendly, attentive, professional staff. Reasonably priced, delicious wine. Rich, smooth coffee. Beautiful space. I will be back! #churros

Amazing food and gracious service in a lovely space -- what more could you ask for? We had tapas one night, which is always a treat, but I also highly recommend the weekend brunch if you're tired of the same old same old. Delicious!

Every dish we ordered was nicely presented and rich with flavor. The cocktails and coffee were very enjoyable and the friendly service rounded out a great dinner.

Thursday night visiting Chicago. The tasting menu was a great solution to our tapas dilemmas. A fantastic selection of Spanish wines which provided a good pull from Rioja. Everything came out great. The paella was a lot to take in after the delicious courses before. The bacon wrapped dates were a highlight and a pleasant surprise in flan with poached pears and cinnamon ice cream as the chef’s dessert. Highly recommend.

Excellent tapas. Interesting and tasty drinks. An attractive space. If you get a window table, it's a nice view of the park. And check out the Blackstone's lobby. It's very moderne.