Abalonetti's 'Marty Special'

One would think that the restaurant row of seafood joints on Monterey's (CA) Old Fisherman's Wharf would be a tourist trap, but believe it or not it is anything but. Having to do business in the area over the last couple years, I tried four or five of them, some more than once, and all are solid and very, very tasty.

One in particular is Abalonetti, a 60-year old fish house that features 'Monterey Bay's freshest calamari'. Well, I think every one of these establishments could probably make that claim, but Abalonetti is unique in the serving of their 'Marty Special', which is--according to an EMail response from their head chef--a traditional baked eggplant parmigiana, topped with flash-fried calamari rings & tentacles (little or no breading), a little sauce and mozzarella cheese, and stuck back in the oven for another ten minutes or so. Sublime, really good, and I was amazed I had never seen this marriage in Chicago.

I am fixated on making this for Christmas Eve. I can do the eggplant, no problem there, but need a north suburban source for fresh, cleaned calamari. Shall I be headed to Burhop's, or is there some hidden gem I don't know about?

Abalonetti
57 FISHERMANS WHARF
MONTEREY, CA 93940-2432
(831) 373-1851

http://www.abalonettimonterey.com

Most of my fellow Italians swear by Rubino's around Christmas for the Feast of the Seven Fishes.

I just checked their web site and they list;
SQUID — CLEAN SOLD PER 2.5 LBS $10.00

I'd call first though.