Dirk's Fish & Gourmet Shop
FOR PISCIVOROUS PEOPLE...
    
SEPTEMBER 2008Dungeness Crabs
 
 
 
 
      Fresh Live Dungeness Crab!

  We were thrilled to receive this recognition from the Chicago Reader! 

Reader Best Of Banner
Best of Chicago > Fishmonger

 "Shorter days and cooler nights with summer's bounty now in sight."
Be sure to hit the Green City Market and all the other local farmers' markets for the great selections of fruits and veggies that abound this time of year.
The warm weather is hanging on so be sure to soak up as much heat and sun as possible before... well, you know what's coming! Autumn begins on the 22nd and there is still plenty of time for grilling.
We still have softshell crabs and both wild King and Silver salmon although the season is almost over. Our friend Brad fishes Dungeness crab in Alaska in the summer and in Washington state in the fall, winter and spring. We should see live Washington state Dungeness crab by the end of the month.
 
Be sure to try some of the specials that we have this month. Here are a few of my favorites, Grilled Silver salmon, Lake Perch, crisply fried, cedar planked Arctic Char, or a big pot of steamed New Zealand Green-lipped Mussels and Cockles!
Shedd logo 
Only the Shedd has fresher fish than Dirk's! 
"Dirk and Terry Fucik have been among Chicago's favorite fishmongers since they opened Dirk's Fishmarket in 2003. Known for Dirk's summer grilling on the sidewalk outside the shop and Terry's creations in the kitchen, seafood connoisseurs flock to Dirk's for their fresh fish fix. Dirk's was recently selected as Chicago's Best Fish Market by Chicago magazine and Best Fishmonger by Chicago Reader, so Right Bite is thrilled to partner with this prominent Chicago retailer. Michelle, director of sustainable practices, hopes this means many business lunches featuring Terry's Alaska halibut "meatball" soup!" 
 
Dirk's Fish has entered into a partnership with the Shedd Aquarium to focus on sustainable fisheries and ocean conservation. We are committed to bringing you great fresh fish and seafood that you can feel good about eating! Between consumer education, awareness and focusing our attentions on sustainable practices in both wild and farmed fisheries, we will strive to provide you with the best choices that we can research with the help of the Shedd's Right Bite card, Monterey Bay Aquarium's Seafood Watch Program, and National Marines Fisheries Service's Fish Watch. Check out any of theses sources and if you have further questions, please feel free to call us.
We will no longer carry Bluefin tuna, Orange Roughy, or any species of Shark just to name a few of the fish we feel is overexploited. There are many changes occurring the the world of fishing, fishing practices, and farming and we promise to try to stay on top of all the fishes best options. If you can't have your first choice there is always another option!
 
FANTASTIC FRESH Pasta Puttana logo ORGANIC PASTA
We have the honor and pleasure of being the first retail outlet for the "soon to be famous" Pasta Puttana's fresh organic pasta hand made by Jessica Volpe herself! She produces a variety of fresh pasta that goes so well with our fresh fish and seafood. It's a match made in culinary heaven. Stop by our free Saturday demos (Jessica's usually here around 2:00) and sample some great fish, fresh pasta, and good cheer.
 
Apple Pies-Caramel
Caramel Apples Pies!
I found an apple pie that was so tasty that I immediately sourced where it was from and now it's in stock here at the shop. If you like apple pies like I like apple pies, then Elegant Farmer Pies from Makwonago Wisconsin will amaze your taste buds. The Caramel Apple pie is to die for and the Cherry Crisp is wonderful too. Be sure to add these to your fall menu and your family and guests will be eternally grateful. 
 
 
Happy Rosh Hashanah!
The New Year falls on September 30 and if you need some fresh gefiltefish please give us a call. We will be happy to cut and grind your fish and we will have our freshly made gefilte available. We make the best (besides Grandma)!
 
  
Coho or Silver Salmon
Oncorhynchus kisutch
Salmon, coho 
Silver or Coho salmon are usually a late summer, early fall species that replaces sockeye salmon on our grills this time of year. Silver salmon has a firm texture and delicate flesh. It tends to be milder and has a higher fat content than sockeye which  makes it a great choice for grilling and smoking. We are getting our fish from the Straits of Juan de Fuca between Vancouver Island and Washington state which are prime waters in a pristine environment. The fish are plump and one of the last of the wild salmon in season now that sockeyes are gone. These fish are  listed as a Good Alternative on the Shedd Aquarium's Right Bite card. We didn't get the Gold but we certainly have the Silver!
 Juan de Fuca
Regular Price $16.00 per pound
Special Price: $14.00 per pound
 
September 1st thru 7th  
 Yellow Lake Perch
Perca flavescens 
2 Yellow Lake Perch
Yellow Lake Perch are found in most freshwater lakes across the USA. It is one of my favorite fish to catch and the Chicago lakefront is one of the best places to take a kid fishing in the spring. We source ours from the Canadian side of Lake Erie. Perch populations were once  devastated by habitat lost, invasive species, and overfishing in the 1970s thru 1990s. Now due to careful fisheries management and the fact that perch are a prolific and resilient species, we can enjoy America's favorite pan fish once again. Yellow perch can grow as big as 21 inches and 4 plus  pounds though most net caught perch are substantially smaller and sold as fillets. White "perch" which are sometimes offered at a much cheaper price, are actually in the sunfish family, and lack the sweet mild flavor of yellow perch.
The best way to cook perch is to fry them. I know people have phobia against frying but consider how often you actually fry anything.  As with everything in life and moderation, once in a while isn't going to hurt you! If you fry in hot oil very quickly and drain on paper towels, you are not  going to consume much of the oil anyway.
 
Oh. for a plate of crisply fried perch fillets with a side of fries, homemade tartar sauce and a cold beer! 
 
Regular price:$20.00 per pound
Special price:$16.00 per pound 
 

September 8th thru 14th
Arctic Char 
Salvelinus alpinus
Arctic Char closeup 
Artic Char is in the salmon family and is very similar to salmon in many cooking methods. Char has a noticabily milder taste and richer flavor than most salmon. These fish are mostly farm raised in closed sytems very little influence on the outside world.
Farm raised char are listed as a "Best Choice" on all the sustainability lists.
In the wild they can reach up to 40 pounds though what we see from the Washington state farm are mostly 4 to 6 pound stunningly beautiful fish. We sell the fish as fillets and they are exceptionally good smoked on a cedar plank, very possibily the very best fish you can do on a plank! 
 
Regular price:$18.0000 per pound
Special price:$16.00 per pound
 
 September 15h thru 21st
Green-lipped Mussels and Cockles
Pema canaliculis and Austrovenus stuctchburyi 
 I decided to feature these two great products from New Zealand because neither one of them is a commonplace seafood item and they both taste great. One of the  reasons to feature a product is so you will try something that you haven't eaten before. Here are two great examples for you to taste test!
Both of these mollusks are farmed in the pristine waters of New Zealand and the farming methods for both are environmentally sound and  actually benefit the surrounding marine habitat. Simply rinse before cooking and you are ready to go.
Use your favorite clam or mussel recipe and you will love the different flavor these bivalves will impart to your dish. 
Green Lipped Mussels 
Green Lipped Mussels
Regular Price:$10.00 per pound 
Special Price:$8.00 per pound
Cockles-New Zealand
Cockles
Regular price:$10.00 per pound
Special Price:$8.00 per pound 
 

September 22nd thru 28th 

The Ocean in a Half Shell...

 Oyster on the Halfshell
In addition to our regulars...
Delaware, Kumamoto, Malpaque and Virginica, we are working our way through the myriad selections of oysters that are available. Come tasting with  us.  If you discover an oyster that you like in your travels, near or far, we can probably source it  for you.
 
   
UPCOMING CLASSES...  
 
 
SEPTEMBER CLASS
 Basic Sushi Class
"Our most popular class!"
In this hands on class, Dirk will talk about sushi, answer questions and guide you thru the techniques of making five maki rolls and two nigiri.
Start with a bowl of our miso soup and fresh ginger tuna salad.
Bring a bottle of wine, a friend and your appetite.
You will have to eat what you roll and roll what you eat!
 
Tuesday, September 23rd 7:30 to 9:30
$75.00 per person 
Class is limited to the first 20 people
Phone ahead for reservations
773.404.3475
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OCTOBER CLASSES
Fall Tailgating Class
Join us for an evening of gourmet tailgating. Next time you show up for a Bears game you will be sure to WOW the hot dog and hamburger crowd with these great healthy recipes!
 
 BBQ Corvina Poorboys,  Chicago Shrimp Roll,  Grilled Tuna Chili, Cambozola cheese Stuffed Marlin Burgers
 
Bring your friends and favorite beverage. 
Tuesday, October 7th 7:30 to 9:00
$65.00 per person
Class is limited to 16 people
Phone ahead for reservations
773.404.3475
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 Chicago Botanic Garden Class
We are doing a great soup class at Chicago Botanic Garden
on October 15th. Sign up for this class by contacting the Chicago Botanic Garden at 847.835.8261 or www.chicagobotanic.org/school/cooking.
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Basic Sushi Class
 
See September description above for details
 
Tuesday, October 28th 7:30 to 9;30
$75.00 per person 
Phone ahead for reservations
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*We have a 48 hour cancellation policy for all classes
Dirk's Fish & Gourmet Shop
2070 N. Clybourn Ave., Chicago Il. 60614
773.404.3475     www.dirksfish.com
"WHEN ONLY THE VERY BEST WILL DO"
 
If you want to try something new or impress that special person, we can get you almost anything you wish from the water; fish or seafood. If you need some special attention or a great recipe, our friendly and knowledgable staff can provide that too.
 
If you are looking for something in particular, give us a call and we will do our best to get what you need.
 
Fish makes a great gift for the "foodies" in you life.
We have gift cards available. 
 
"LIFE'S NOT PERFECT...
 BUT YOUR FISH SHOULD BE!"
 
Dirk'$ Dollar$
SEPTEMBER COUPON #1

Bring in this coupon for $5.00 off on your purchase of $25.00 or more during the first half of the month.

Limit one coupon per customer.

Coupon good September 1st thru 15th.
 
 

(copy and paste these coupons to a blank word page and print from there)

Dirk'$ Dollar$
  SEPTEMBER COUPON #2
 
Bring in this coupon for $5.00 off on your purchase of $25.00 or more during the second half of the month.
 
Limit one coupon per customer.
 
Coupon good September 16th thru 31st only.

(Copy and paste these coupons to a blank word page and copy from there)