Now that The Fishmonger’s Daughter is serving folks for lunch and dinner in Catonsville, it was time to sit down with Damye Hahn and talk about her incredibly vision and passion to get the Faidley’s family from Lexington Market to a full-service restaurant in their hometown on Frederick Road. Bill Cole joins Nestor to talk fresh seafood, local dining and the family touch that only four generations in Baltimore can bring.
The discussion highlighted Fishmongers Daughter as a distinct extension of Faidley’s, focusing on local seafood, current menu recommendations, and upcoming event programming.
Restaurant Focus
- Damye said the restaurant is positioned as a separate dining experience from Lexington Market, with a broader menu, in-house pastry work, and items that would not translate to the original market location.
- The restaurant is open for lunch, dinner, and brunch, and Damye said more fall programming is planned, including wine dinners and a gin-and-jazz event promoted through the website’s events page and in-house materials.
Seafood Discussion
- Damye, Nestor, and Bill discussed blue crab as an invasive species in parts of Italy and the Mediterranean, where handling, processing, and labor challenges are limiting a food-based response.
- They also discussed invasive catfish in the Chesapeake, with Damye noting that catfish were introduced for sport fishing and are harming local crab populations.
- Damye recommended signature dishes beyond crab cakes, especially the tempura soft crab, whole black sea bass, rockfish, and swordfish.
Open Questions
- How will Mediterranean markets scale blue crab handling and processing enough to reduce the invasive population?
- How quickly will the planned fall event schedule be finalized and posted for customers?
- Invite Catonsville Emergency Assistance to appear on a future Baltimore Positive radio segment and prepare questions/segment content focused on their community services. (@Nestor Aparicio)
- Update the Fishmonger’s Daughter website events page with detailed dates and descriptions for the planned wine dinners, gin and jazz night, tequila-related events, and other fall events before they occur.
- Prepare and place printed tabletop cards listing the upcoming gin and jazz night, wine dinners, tequila events, and related details for guests at the restaurant.
- Host a Baltimore Positive segment at Koco’s next Wednesday featuring Ron Cassie and Max Weiss, using Raven scratch-off giveaways and surprise props tied into the long losing streak theme. (@Nestor Aparicio)
- Plan and record a Baltimore Positive breakfast segment in Catonsville within the next couple of weeks, focusing on local businesses and community uplift similar to the recent State Fair coverage. (@Nestor Aparicio)
Restaurant Identity
- Damye described Fishmongers Daughter as a brand extension of Faidley’s rather than a duplicate location.
- She explained that the Catonsville concept supports a different menu, service style, and dessert program than Lexington Market.
Seafood and Invasive Species
- The group discussed blue crab overpopulation in Italy and the Mediterranean and the difficulty of building processing capacity there.
- They also discussed invasive catfish in the Chesapeake and their impact on crabs and other species.
Menu Highlights
- Damye recommended the gluten-free tempura soft crab with basil aioli.
- She also highlighted the whole black sea bass, pan-seared rockfish, and dayboat swordfish.
Operations and Events
- Damye reviewed current operating hours for weekdays and weekends.
- She said upcoming programming includes additional wine dinners, a gin-and-jazz night, and other beverage-pairing events.
- Event details will be shared on the website’s events page and in the restaurant.
Community Segment Setup
- Nestor proposed bringing in Catonsville Emergency Assistance for a future community-focused segment.
- Bill and Damye supported highlighting local needs alongside the restaurant conversation.
Nestor Aparicio 0:01…