Eat Cetera: Herring Fest, Picnic Lunch Deal, Taste of LIC

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Netherlands Consol General with Catch of the Day at last year's Holland Herring Festival.Holland Herring Festival: Who doesn't love a fresh "nieuwe maatjes" herring straight from Holland? To celebrate the catch of these "maiden" fish, Grand Central Oyster Bar is launching its annual "Holland Herring Festival." Receiving the first shipment of the fish straight from Scheveningen, The Netherlands, the Oyster Bar will kick off the two week festival with an official herring tasting on June 9th, with herring filets for $7. The filets are meant to be eaten whole in one bite, and are served with a hard boiled egg, sweet onion and chives. Executive chef Sandy Inbger said, âThe quality of this year's catch is once again expected to be extraordinary and could be the best catch of the decade." The festival continues through June 25th.Grand Central Terminal [89 East 42nd Street], 212-490-665

And if you're still hungry for more herring, Scandinavian restaurant Aquavit is extending its annual Herring Festival this year to 2 weeks, starting on June 14th. Executive Chef Marcus Jernmark will be adding some innovative herring preparations to the prix fixe smorgasbord, including pickled ramp herring and pickled rhubarb herring. Lunch is $24.07 per person and dinner $35 per person.

Washington Square Park: For anyone who feels like lunching in the current eyesore Washington Square Park, <a href="http://www.northsquareny.com/">North Square</a> is starting up their summer lunch box program. For $15, boxes include either a chicken club sandwich, a lamb burger, a lentil and veggie burger or a crab and pear salad, plus cole slaw, fries or chips and a drink. Orders can be placed in person or over the phone from noon to 3 p.m. <a href="http://">Le Pain Quotidien is offering</a> a similar picnic lunch if you're willing to schlep uptown. 103 Waverly Place, 212-254-1200

Gothamist

The beautiful Gantry Plaza State Park on the East River is the setting for next Tuesday's 5th Annual <a href="http://www.chocolatefactorytheater.org/e_tasteoflic_2010.html">Taste of LIC</a>, a "celebration of Long Island Cityâs cultural and culinary communities." $50 gets you three hours of open bar and food samples from nearly 50 restaurants, including the always delicious-smelling Indian establishment 5 Star Banquet & restaurant, Lounge47 (killer wasabi deviled eggs), Sweetleaf (first-rate lattes and pastries), Tom Cat Bakery, the classic red sauce joint Manetta's Ristorante, Al's Jackson Avenue Steakhouse, Water Taxi Beach, the classy "Asian-inflected" seafood restaurant <a href="http://gothamist.com/2009/10/14/queens_restaurant_week_perfect_chan.php">Water's Edge</a> and so much more! Proceeds go to benefit indispensable <a href="http://www.chocolatefactorytheater.org">Chocolate Factory Theater</a>'s 2010-11 season of dance, theater, music and multimedia performances. <a href="https://www.ovationtix.com/trs/pe/8131195;jsessionid=5DC0D8475B76861FF78E97C45554F275">Tickets</a>

Gothamist

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