Last week, I went to Mercat a la Planxa for a birthday dinner.  Looking at the menu, it was like I was back in Spain: jamón ibérico de belota, boquerones en vinagre, pulpo con patatas and setas al horno.  It was heavenly, and nostalgic. Mercat’s warm and expansive interior full of yellows and reds cultivates the sexy and sensual side…just like Spain!  Walking in, you circle around a sunken center dining area, the bar is on your right and it absolutely gorgeous (as is the grade-A mixologist!).  The open-air kitchen stretches out on the left, letting all the smells mingle and drift into your nose.

Our meal started with drinks, I had the Shoko Cocktail– Peach vodka, fresh sour, orange juice, cucumber and basil leaves.  I detest sweet drinks and so I asked about this…our waiter assured me that I was safe. It was delicious. A true sock rocker.

The menu is focused on the Catalan region of the country– think Barcelona area. In Spain, they say they are a nation of nationalities, and it is true. From Madrid to Galicia and down into the south, regional foods are key and everyone has a favorite.  I’m a big fan of everything I ate at Mercat….

Here is a run down of my tastings:
Piminetos De Padrón– fried little green peppers with sea salt

Dátiles

Dátiles con Almendras– bacon wrapped dates with almonds

Cocas con Costillas de Ternera– flat bread with beef shortribs and horseradish

Espinacas a la Catalana– Spinach with pine nuts and raisins

Hongos Al Horno

Setas al Horno– Sauteed wild mushrooms
Escalivada– Roasted red peppers and eggplant with cipollini onions

Patatas Bravas

and of course….Patatas Bravas– potatoes with heat!

Mercat combines traditional food with haut cuisine styling. Everything gets a make over.  Honestly, the tastes were great, but there is something to be said for non-frou-frou presentation. The patatas were a little much (pictured above), who needs them to be so formatted!

I would go back, if for nothing else the great service and the Shoko Cocktail.

Things to eat right away: Pimientos De Padrón and the Hongos.
What I want to eat next :  A big plate of boquerones. I miss those little fish
Maybe take a pass: Cocas con constillas
Other Note Worthy Crumbs: stop in for a few drinks and a small plate or two for a VERY reasonable price. Its a great spot for a group, everyone can try a little taste and get to know the food. Mercat is a chef owner establishment, Jose Garces has cooked all over the world, focusing on Latin American cuisine.  Dig in to the archives of Iron Chef and you can see him defeat Bobby Flay!

This weekend, the farmers market in Evanston, was truly glorious.  The late summer produce still abounded, tomatoes, string beans and leafy basil found happy homes inside my bag (and almost as soon, inside my tummy). This was the last weekend for the beans, and I think I’ve got the final fronds of fresh herbs too. I want to cook with this stuff, but it is just so tempting to eat it raw!

Here are just a few things that I found interesting.  As usual, I like to try new apples in fall.  Last year on the blog I featured the Mutzu (still equally delicious) but this year I discovered the Liberty and the Roxbury Russet.

The Liberty apple was born in 1962 in New York to its proud parents, The Purdue and Macoun Apples.  This firm and tart apple with its beautiful rosy skin gets is named for its ability to “liberate” itself from apple diseases…Does that mean the Liberty is better for you than a normal apple? Well no, but it does give you a great burst of energy!  The Liberty has a great shelf life; it can last up to five month in a cool environment (your fridge) and in enough space to breathe (yes, apples breathe.)

These ugly looking dudes are Roxbury Russets.  Created in 1600, it is the oldest apple in the United States.  See that kind of brownish greenish coloring? That is called russeting.  I think it gives the apple character, improving with age maybe.  Crisp and a little tart, these are the quintessential fall apple; Thomas Jefferson thought so too, he had them in his orchard in Monticello.