Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day.

Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime.

Teach a man to fry a fish, and he'll serve up an old-fashioned fish fry with all the fixin's at his restaurant in the East Village.

Or so says the old Chinese proverb.

Long known as a casual, cozy and innovative seafood restaurant, The Mermaid Inn is bringing a little Chesapeake Bay to the East Village for their new Autumn Fish Fry. Starting tonight and running every Wednesday for the rest of the month, the Inn will offer up a simple, old-fashioned fish fry inspired by chef Mike Price's childhood on Maryland's eastern shore. The fish fry meal comes complete with fried Atlantic Cod, cayenne-spiced hushpuppies with honey butter, grilled corn on the cob and coleslaw. Just like mom used to do.

To wash it all down, the Inn will offer $2 PBR, Old Milwaukee and Schlitz. Just like mom used to do.

Autumn Fish Fry at The Mermaid Inn, $19, every Wednesday in Oct, 5:30-11pm; 96 2nd Ave (between 5th and 6th), 212-674-5870, www.themermaidnyc.com