Dirk's Fish & Gourmet Shop
 National Fisheries Institute logo  Shedd logo   Bag Hunger Logo      Ocean Trust logo
FOR PISCIVOROUS PEOPLE...
   
DECEMBER 2008 
      
 
   Happy Holidays, One and All! 
"May your days be merry and bright!"
 Lobster with Santa hat
  All of us here at Dirk's Fish hope you and your families have a wonderful Holiday season and to be the first to wish you a Happy & Healthy New Year!
We couldn't be where we are today, here as your favorite fishmongers, if it were not for your friendship and support! Thank you very much!
  
Seven fishes for Christmas or a lucky fish for New Years Eve...
With the holidays upon us, now would be a great time to let us help you plan a great fish meal for your family, maybe make some party appetizers for your friends or design an impressive seafood tray to delight and amaze everyone! Tell us what you need and we will go above and beyond to take care of all your fish and seafood needs. We are here to help!
 
With all of us budgeting our holiday dollar$, please but sure to take advantage of our holiday coupons, gift card deals and  special product pricing this month...
 
Gift Card-Dirks Fish
Dirk's Fish Gift Card 
For every $100.00 gift card you buy get an extra $20.00 added to the card. This would make a great gift for the fish and seafood lover or "foodie" in your life! 
 Offer expires 12/31/08.
 
Longbranch logo
Longbranch Bloody Mary Zinger
Our favorite bloody mary mix works as a marinade for shrimp or swordfish, or a drizzle for kicking up a raw oyster or just for the best breakfast  bloody mary around. Makes a great stocking stuffer too.
Special Price: $5.00 a bottle!
 Offer expires 12/31/08
 
  Don't Forget to take advantage of our Lobster Sale  
 
There are Stone Crab Claws for the crackin'! 
 
Please take the time to respond to my survey!
 This will help me make a better newsletter for you in  2009.
 
Eat well, be happy, healthy and enjoy the Holidays! 
 holly
 
Sustainability is Key to our Future.
Fish is good for you and we want you to feel good about the fish you  eat!
 
Save a few clams...
Clams-Little necks
We are trying to do our part to help you take a bite out of the price of food these days. Don't forget to take advantage of the Dirk'$ Dollar$ coupons and save a few clams on us this month!
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Dirk'$ Dollar$
DECEMBER 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 December 1st thru 15th.

 
 

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

Dirk'$ Dollar$
  DECEMBER 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 December 16th thru 31th only.

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

DIRK'$ DOLLAR$

PARTY TRAY SAVINGS!
 
Celebrate your special occasion with one of our kicked up party trays!
 
Bring in this coupon in for $15.00 off on any party tray over $100.00 ordered in the 2008 Holiday Season.
 
American Lobster
Homarus americanus
 Lobsters in the case-cooked
Call ahead and we will cook you a pile of lobsters!
 
 The media has been spreading the word that Maine lobsters are at their cheapest prices in the past few years, $4.00 to $6.00 per pound. While that sounds like an awesome price, what they are not telling you is two minor details. One is that Maine lobsters have been in their yearly shedding stage and that those prices are dockside, Maine. Lobsters start the shed around the first of September and finally harden up with a full meat fill by late November or early December. This means soft watery flesh and low meat yield. Is it really a "bargain" to pay less for an inferior product? We have been buying Canadian hardshell lobsters (at a premium price) until their Maine cousins have recovered from the yearly growth trauma. This insures that the lobsters you buy from our pond are meaty, sweet and succulent, always. These north of the border lobsters have been excellent with rave reviews!
O.K. now with all that said, it's early December, Maine lobsters have filled out nicely and there is a window of opportunity for us to enjoy a few good lobster dinners before the prices go up with the inevitable holiday demand. There is nothing easier than boiling a lobster for 12 minutes and serving it up with some melted butter, a great salad, a good crusty bread and your favorite bottle of vino!
 
TWO WEEK SPECIAL! 
Regular Price $18.00 per pound
Special Price: $14.00 per pound
 
December 1st thru 14th  
 Stone Crab Claws
Menippe mercinaria
Stone Crab Claws- jumbo 
  Stone crab is one of the delicacies of the winter season here at Dirk's. We see our first claws around October 18th and carry them all the way through April. Stone crab are a "Best Sustainable" choice since they are trap caught with no by-catch and are a well regulated fishery. Stone crab are trap caught in Florida in baited traps called pots. When the pots are pulled, the fisherman takes only one claw from the crab, usually the larger one, leaving the live crab with one claw. This doesn't hurt the crab since they can can drop a claw as a defense mechanism but leaves the crab with one claw to feed and defend itself. The crab is then released to grow for another year. Females with eggs are released without taking a claw.The claws will grow back the next time the crab sheds its hard shell, usually in about 18 months. The crab is cooked immediately and shipped to us the next day.
This year has been a good year for Stone crab with us seeing cheaper prices than past years. We are passing these savings on to you. If you want a particular size that we don't have in stock, please call and we will procure some for you. 
Claws come in various sizes from medium (6-7 per pound) to colossal (1-2 per pound). With a 50% loss due to shell weight figure 3/4 to 1 pound for a main course serving. Crack the heavy shells just before eating to retain the juices and we use the back of a heavy spoon or butter knife to give the shell a quick rap. Serve cold with our famous mustard sauce or melted butter.
 Medium Stone Claws
Regular Price: $18.00 per pound
Special Price: $15.00 per pound
Large Stone Claws
Regular price: $22.00 per pound
Special Price: 18.00 per pound 

December 15th thru 21st

The Ocean in a Half Shell

 Think Oysters for the Holidays!
 Oyster on the Halfshell
SPECIAL-Longbranch Bloody Mary Mix-SPECIAL
Try a dash of our favorite bloody mary mix on top of a freshly opened halfshell or try it with our oyster shooter recipe for a great holiday appetizer! 
Regular Price: $8.00 each
Special Price:$5.00 each
Makes a great stocking stuffer and a killer bloody mary!
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Shucked oysters are now in stock for the winter months. Perfect for bisque, frying, and stews. 
Delaware, Kumamoto, Malpaque and Virginicas: We are working our way through the myriad selections of oysters that are available. You will see a bigger selection in the colder months of the year. Now is the time for a taste of the sea. If you discover an oyster that you like in your travels, near or far, we can probably source it  for you.
 
 UPCOMING CLASSES...
 
Think gift certificates for classes and those hard to buy for "foodies".
 
Join us for the First class of the New Year!
 
COMFORT FOODS:Fish and Seafood
 
After all those holiday treats and parties we are ready for some really good down home seafood cooking and Terry is just the person to take us there! You will love these easy to prepare original dishes such as...
  •  Mahi Mahi Stroganoff
  • Lobster/Crab Mac & Cheese
  • Stuffed Peppers with Scallops and Shrimp Gravy
  • Seafood Lasagna

We have been lucky enough to be the one's experimented upon at home and now you get to eat the perfected results and take home the recipes. For these classes/underground dinners, it is best to bring a friend or two, a bottle of your favorite beverage and of course your appetite. No one's left hungery yet! 

 Tuesday, January 11th  7:30 til 9:00
Call the shop for reservations
773.404.3475
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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 knowledgeable 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 your life.
We have gift cards available. 
 
"LIFE'S NOT PERFECT...
 BUT YOUR FISH SHOULD BE!"