Grand Central Oyster Bar GM Jonathan Young (left) and executive chef Sandy Ingber launched the 32nd Annual Holland Herring Festival on Wednesday, June 6, at the historic seafood eatery with the official first tasting of the delicacy from the Netherlands. The festival runs through June 22, and will include a special Ketel One vodka from Holland Night on Thursday, June 14.
 
New York Governor Andrew Cuomo said in a letter: “On behalf of every New Yorker, I commend Oyster Bar General Manager Jonathan Young, Executive Chef Sandy Ingber, and all who have put together this celebration of Holland and the nieuwe year’s brief, but succulent catch. Everyone affiliated with this endeavor is clearly inspired and motivated by a great love and appreciation for the hospitality of the Dutch, by the cultural tradition of “First Tasting,” and the fun and excitement of this delightful experience.”

New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg said in a letter: “When it comes to culinary class, to gastronomic greatness, to haute herring, no city can compete with New York. It is fitting that a place with so strong a connection to our Dutch heritage is home to his terrific tradition, during which the delicious nieuwe maatjes herring of the North Sea – arrived fresh from Scheveningen, The Netherlands – delights Oyster Bar patrons. The season’s first tasting is always a speacial event, and together with Executive Chef Sandy Ingber, we look forward to New Yorkers and our visitors alike enjoying “the silver of the sea” – and the cream of the catch, as well – here at one of our city’s most storied restaurants.”

Photo by Jerry Milani

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 6th, and for approximately two weeks thereafter, the Oyster Bar looks forward to featuring 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. Liquid libations -- “Dutch Martinis” featuring spirits from the Netherlands Ketel One vodka and Bols Genever gin -- and Holland-imported favorite Heineken beer will co-star with “nieuwe maatjes” herring.

For updates, information and reservations call the Grand Central Oyster Bar at 212-490-6650, or visit www.oysterbarny.com.