Jose Garces’ Chicago tapas restaurant, Mercat a la Planxa has opened and is creating quite the buzz. The Chicago Tribune has already weighed in and the Chowhounds are wowing.

Speaking of Jose Garces, we were recently invited to check out the expansion at Tinto and came away very pleased. The only complaints we had heard about Tinto were related to the tight quarters and high tables, not the food. The new room addresses those concerns adding seating for 40 at low tables. The common wall continues the wine storage lattice scheme while the southern facing wall is exposed brick, which does a nice job opening the room up and making it feel less cellar like.

There is also a new private dining room upstairs, perfect for a private party for you and 15 of your friends. You even get your own server and restroom.

Mercat a la Planxa [Official Site]
Tinto [Official Site]