Abalonetti Bar & Grill
57 Fisherman’s Wharf, Monterey (831) 373-1851, abalonettimonterey.com
While many restaurants and seafood suppliers are looking overseas to supply their demand, Abalonetti still sources their squid locally via Monterey Fish Company. Not only that, but they still break down and process the squid in their own kitchen, a labor-intensive endeavor to the tune of 1,000 pounds a week. The other secret to their success is that they serve it more than 20 ways, from classic fried to barbecue to marinated to their proprietary Marty’s Special—a plank of fried eggplant, tenderized calamari filets, marinara sauce, Parmesan and mozzarella cheese. Yum.