MSC Icelandic Cod

Wild, Iceland

Icelandic cod is the same species as the more familiar Atlantic cod but a separate stock. It comes from the chilly waters around Iceland and is much larger and more migratory (thus leaner) than its overfished cousin.

Cod is firm with large, succulent flakes, and it has a mild flavor. You can do almost anything with it—unlike most fish, it stands up to hearty sauces. It is great for fish and chips, and It is good sautéed, steamed, baked, and fried. Seafood Watch rates Icelandic Cod a "Good Alternative," and it is MSC certified. Low to moderate mercury level. Kosher.
1 lb. for $14.00

-- Cod Stew with Chorizo, Leeks & Potatoes (Fine Cooking)
-- One-Skillet Cod and Kale With Ginger and Garlic (Serious Eats)

Monkfish

Gill-net or trawl caught, Rhode Island

Monkfish is one of the ugliest fish in the ocean, but we love its flavor and texture! Think poor man's lobster. 

Monkfish looks positively prehistoric. Its huge, gaping mouth and hideous teeth are complemented by an odd-looking, dangling apparatus on its head that some say looks like a fishing pole and bait. Its tail though is "seafood gold," with a texture and density similar to that of lobster, as mentioned above. We've seen it used in a number of ways—in "lobster" rolls, risotto, and soup, and also braised and bacon-wrapped. Seafood Watch rates it a "Good Alternative." Low mercury level.
1 lb. for $16.00

-- Spanish Braised Monkfish (Food and Wine)
-- Crispy Monkfish with Capers (Daniel Boulud / Food and Wine)

Calvisius Caviar

Sustainably farmed sturgeon

Who needs an excuse? Celebrate your puppy's training, or the mere fact you made it through another day. Calvisius caviar comes from the roe of sustainably farmed white sturgeon. It has a lightly fruity taste with a distinctive nutty hint. Try it with a dry Brut or other sparkling wine.
1 - .36 ounce tin (approximately 2 teaspoons) for $25.00

Frozen Fair Trade Shrimp

Supera net caught, Mexico

Finally a shrimp you can feel good about eating! We just might have been the first in Chicago to feature certified Fair Trade shrimp, and we are pleased to report that they are delicious! We are going against our standard here by offering a frozen product. Here's why: Instead of dealing with giant gas-powered trawlers to catch their shrimp Del Pacifico works with artisanal fishermen in Mexico who use small sail-powered boats called pangas, which are slightly larger than a rowboat and have a spectacular sail. (Score one.)

The wind and tide guide the net. Because they operate on such a small scale the fishermen can remove bycatch and return it to the water alive resulting in the lowest bycatch in the shrimping industry! (Score two.) 

Because the boats are small and have little storage area they can't be out at sea for long periods meaning that the shrimp are blast-frozen within hours of capture. What is more, Fair Trade certification guarantees that there are no human rights abuses and that a percentage of the profit is returned to the community that caught the shrimp. (Score three and four.) 

US Fair Trade certified.
1 lb. (about 26 to 30 frozen peeled & deveined shrimp per pound) for $16.00

-- Provençal Wheat Berry Salad with Shrimp and Mustard-Caper Vinaigrette (Susie Middleton / Fine Cooking)

-- Cuttlefish Spaccatelli with Shrimp, Fresh Tomatoes, Green Onions and Chili (Food 52)