Seafood Restaurant Set to Open in Berwyn

The building that is set to open its doors in the next several weeks as Fishnet, a casual, counter-service seafood restaurant.

Though paper covers the windows and there's no sign, owner Ferhat Yalcin hopes to open his new restaurant at 5010 Berwyn Road in the next several weeks, pending approval from the county’s health department.

According to Yalcin, Fishnet will only serve fresh food — nothing frozen. Three or four types of fish will be made to order, and soups, sandwiches, and ice cream are also on the menu.

Outdoor seating, homemade lemonade and delivery are all in the works, as well.

Yalcin, who came from Istanbul, Turkey 11 years ago, has decades of restaurant experience in his home country and America.

Most recently, he worked as the general manager of Corduroy, a fine-dining restaurant in Washington specializing mainly in seafood.

“I’m happy to be in College Park. For me, it’s a new scene,” Yalcin said. 

He also said that the building’s location in the neighborhood of Berwyn was an important factor when Fishnet was still in its planning stages.

“It’s a nice area, it’s close to the college, and not on the busy street,” Yalcin said.

But is it close enough to the university? Many of Fishnet’s target audience, college students, seem largely unaware of the restaurant’s existence, despite its approaching opening date.

“Maybe because Berwyn is somewhat distant from campus, news of this isn’t on my radar,” said Ian McDermott, a studio art major at the University of Maryland.

But so far, residents of Berwyn are aware and optimistic about what FishNet will do for the neighborhood.

“For years, we had , and it was a disappointment when we lost it," said Kevin Young, President of the Berwyn District Civic Association. "I’m pleased someone else is opening up a restaurant."