Who's Your Fishmonger?

Getting fresh with Twinsburg’s new Baylobsters Fish Market.

By: Mimi Vanderhaven
Date: 01/14/2009
If you’re a fan of cable food shows, you’ve likely heard the following advice from one or more professional chefs, including Alton Brown of the Food Network: “Don’t buy fresh seafood from your local mega-mart. Instead, establish a relationship with a local fishmonger you can trust.”

One local fishmonger (indeed, one of the few remaining in Northeast Ohio) is the legendary John Dziorney, founder of John’s Baylobsters Seafood, Inc. Since 1990, John has delivered seafood fresh from Boston, Florida and Hawaii to some of Northeast Ohio’s finest restaurants and country clubs. During his deliveries, customers and passersby would ask how they could get the same quality seafood for themselves. That’s why, in 2003, John began offering home delivery throughout Northeast Ohio. His home account business quickly grew to over 400 clients.

Then, in 2007, John and his wife Cindy opened the retail-oriented Baylobsters Fish Market on Ravenna Road in Twinsburg, which just relocated to a larger, more convenient location at 9224 Darrow Road, still in Twinsburg.
Now we can all enjoy delicious seafood—fresher, bigger and faster than anything you’ll find at a mega-mart.

Really Fresh
“John has a passion for freshness,” Cindy reveals. “Many of his purveyor referrals have come from his contacts in Boston. If they don’t consistently meet his requirements for quality and freshness, they lose his business. They know that. That’s why they offer us top of the catch.”

Because fishing boats are often out at sea for long periods, the freshest fish are those found “on top of the catch.”

According to John, there are five key indicators of fresh fish:

1. The flesh should be firm, not mushy.
2. Even coloring.
3. Free of yellow or brown spots.
4. A moist shiny appearance.
5. A fresh, mild smell—never “fishy.”

The Best Legs in Town
Although Baylobsters Fish Market offers a wide selection of fresh fish, including Chilean sea bass, halibut, mahi-mahi, red snapper, salmon, and sushi-grade tuna, John and Cindy also specialize in shellfish, like live lobsters up to six pounds and monster king crab legs. “Our king crab legs are so big, they have been nicknamed ‘deer legs,’” Cindy smiles.

You’ll also find lobster tails, clams, jumbo scampies, Blue Point oysters, mussels, shrimp, conch meat, abalone and even calamari.

Stone Crabs
If you’ve spent any time in Miami, you’ve likely tasted what many argue is the epitome of shellfish, far surpassing even lobster in delectable flavor and perfect texture—stone crabs. But you don’t have to wait in line at Miami’s renowned Joe’s Stone Crab to savor these beauties.
John has them.

“Florida stone crab claws are flown in several times each week,” he explains. “And not just the small ones. We carry the popular jumbo claws—meaning two to three pieces per pound.”
“They’re big, fresh and delicious,” Cindy assures. “We’ll even hook you up with Joe’s famous mustard sauce recipe. You just can’t serve stone crab without mustard sauce.”

Lobster Mac & Cheese
“Many customers have discovered our delicious prepared items,” Cindy boasts. “Including our own soups and chowders, crab cakes, lobster ravioli, lobster bisque and even lobster macaroni and cheese. If you’ve never had lobster mac & cheese, get here as fast as you can.”

Other prepared items include Salmon-wrapped Scallops, Shrimp Eggrolls, and Garlic and Herb Crusted Salmon. You’ll also find essential accompaniments like seafood sauces and utensils, spices and seasonings, cookbooks, cheeses, smoked fish and more.

Who’s Your Fishmonger?
All of the seafood at Baylobsters Fish Market can be purchased at the market or delivered to your door in a safe, convenient styrofoam cooler.

But choosing delivery means you miss out on the fishmonger experience. Talking in person with John and Cindy—along with their daughter and son-in-law, Vanessa and Jeff Cavalli, and junior fishmonger Barry Blakeslee—about fresh catches, new seafood experiences, and delicious recipes is a major part of the experience. “These guys know their stuff,” announces one patron as she selects two of the biggest live lobsters in the Baylobsters tank. “They don’t just sell you what you ask for; they make suggestions and recommendations about other seafood products and preparation methods.”

Try getting that kind of service from your local mega-mart.

Baylobsters Fish Market is now located at 9224 Darrow Road in Twinsburg. The phone number is 330-486-0713. Market hours are Monday to Saturday 10:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. and on Sundays from noon to 4:30 p.m. You may also visit them online at www.Baylobsters.com or e-mail your questions to cindy@baylobsters.com.

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