The Herring Are Coming! Grand Central Oyster Bar Launches Annual "Holland Herring Festival" June 7

May 26, 2011 - PRLog -- Here come the herring! For lovers of “nieuwe maatjes” herring from Holland, the year-long wait is almost over. The arrival of the tasty delicacy from the waters of the Netherlands is eagerly anticipated. And that time arrives on Tuesday afternoon, June 7, at 12 noon when the historic Grand Central Oyster Bar launches its annual “Holland Herring Festival” with opening ceremonies including the “Official First Tasting” of Dutch Herring, hosted by executive chef Sandy Ingber, general manager Jonathan Young, joined by  dignitaries and guests. The Herring Festival will continue through Friday, June 24.

The Oyster Bar has for three decades been the traditional destination in America for the first Holland Herring of the season.  The most-looked-forward-to time of the year for herring lovers, the delicacy arrives air-expressed to the Oyster Bar from Scheveningen, The Netherlands, on the North Sea where the herring fleet makes its home. The Oyster Bar always receives the very first herring shipped to the USA, and the cream of the catch, as well. Beginning on June 7th, and for 17 days thereafter, the Oyster Bar will feature the succulent, toothsome delicacy known as nieuwe maatjes herring. Herring lovers will enjoy the season for less than a month.

The herring filets are served with hard-boiled egg, sweet onion and chives. Herring filets are priced at $7.00, and the herring salad at $7.95 per order. For updates, information and reservations call the Grand Central Oyster Bar at 212-490-6650, or log onto http://www.oysterbarny.com.

“Dutch Martinis” featuring spirits from the Netherlands – Ketel One vodka and Bols Genever gin – will co-star with “nieuwe  maatjes” herring. The Ketel One martini will be priced at $11.75, while the Bols Genever gin martini is priced at $10.50.

“Another top-quality herring catch which could be one of the best in the history of the festival is expected," said executive chef Sandy Inbger. “An extraordinary season of the delicacy for the two and a half weeks of the festival will have Dutch Herring fans salivating, and flocking to the Oyster Bar for their share of the catch.”

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The Grand Central Oyster Bar first opened its doors in 1913, in what was then a brand new, state-of-the-art, Grand Central Station. With its cavernous architecture and sweeping white tiled ceilings, it evokes this old N.Y. in all its grandness.