BAY / CAPE SCALLOPS - WHAT, WHEN, WHERE

[WineTravel]

What is the difference btw bay and cape scallops. I love those sweet little things. Are they in season now? I know Legal Seafoods gets them from time to time. Any other recommendations?

[Spike]

saw these at Whole Foods in Brighton when I went to get Maine shrimp there. I think it was around $30/lb as well...more expensive than the $17/lb sea scallops they had, so I passed... :-P

[Wineack]

Cape scallops are so totally different from sea scallops and a special seasonal treat. The season only runs for a month or two. The Cape scallops are much sweeter and more delicate than sea scallops. To me the premium is well worth it.

[Rubee]

Went to a wonderful wine dinner at Mare last week (Ruffino) and they had them as a first course - a velvety Chantenay carrot soup with cubes of pancetta, 'garnished' with Nantucket Bay scallops.

[Splendid Spatula]

New Deal had Martha's Vineyard scallops a week or so ago; $28.99/lb. Sweet little morsels.

[Wineack]

I bought some at Legal Seafoods Market in Chestnut Hill at $30.49 per pound. They were delicious!

[phoebek]

They had them at Whole Foods Fresh Pond last week. Don't remember exact price, but $28 or so/lb. sounds right.

[chowfamily]

I tried to get them recently from my local fishmonger, and at $28.00 a pound, wholesale, he has been unable to stock them. According to his source, the supply goes first to local markets and then to restaurants.

[hotoynoodle]

i had them at neptune last week and they were awesome. clio usually does them as well. the season is very short. call ahead.

don't even waste your money on bay scallops from elsewhere unless you're making chowder or something.

[okra]

how were they prepared, if you don't mind?

[tatamagouche]

They were on the menu at Aujourd'hui about 3 wks. ago.

[9lives]

J Hook had them recently..Call first to check..$28/lb

Locke Ober usually has them in season.

[somervilleGM]

The best of these little gems are the Nantucket Bay scallops. I have only seen them on the island recently. Some Boston chefs will try and procure them, but they are only harvested by old school local fisherman who have held their permits for ages. If you see nantucket bay scallops try them you will not be disappointed, they are delicious. The commercial season started on nantucket November 1st and will be around usually until the end of January. This year is not a banner crop so prices are high (at least $20/lb.) and the supply may end sooner. Good Luck.
I have never had good luck with bay scallops from any other place. They are usually frozen and shipped from japan or china or some other non-specific place of origin.

After looking around I didn't see any restaurants boasting Nantucket Bay Scallops, I would look at Radius, Locke Ober, No 9, Grotto or Blue ginger. The chefs have some Nantucket ties and usually do some specials with these scallops when they are available.