The most traditional way to eat the New Catch Holland Herring - hold the fillets by the tail and drop them right into your mouth.

Celebrate the New Catch at the Russ & Daughters Counter!

Join us for the first traditional taste of the famed New Catch Holland Herring - “Hollandse Nieuwe” -  at the Russ & Daughters counter at the start of the season: June 9, 2009.

Once a year, herring in the North Sea reach their optimal condition during a brief season that lasts approximately four weeks. To herald the official start of this season, the Dutch Queen gives her blessing to the first barrel at port and then these prized herring hit the market as the famed “Hollandse Nieuwe.” Russ & Daughters is a direct importer, and receives herring from the first delivery of this New Catch to New York.

Traditionally, the New Catch Holland Herring is eaten by holding the two fillets by the tail and dropping them into your mouth. Visitors to Russ & Daughters are likely to see aficionados partaking of this food ritual right at the counter.

The New Catch Holland Herring is a piece of gastronomic heaven, a fabulous buttery and mild matjes (young) herring unlike any other. The New York Times has called Russ & Daughters “the city’s herring-to-go headquarters,” (R.W. Apple Jr., “Herring: The Fish That Roared,” NYT, 10/30/02).

New Catch Holland Herring can be purchased at Russ & Daughters individually or in packs of ten. For those who want to savor New Catch Holland Herring at home or outside of New York City, the herring can be ordered in the shop, over the phone (212.475.4880), or on our website. Russ & Daughters delivers the New Catch Holland Herring by courier in New York City and ships them nationwide.

The New Catch Holland Herring will be available at Russ & Daughters for the duration of their prized, yet limited, season. We urge customers to place orders to guarantee that they can partake of this ephemeral gastronomic experience.  There is a minimum of one ten-pack for advance orders.  For orders, call 212.475.4800 or visit our website.

This year, to celebrate the New Catch and the wonders of herring in general, visit www.russanddaughters.com daily for details about events such as A FESTIVAL OF HERRING & AQUAVIT. On June 17, Russ & Daughters will join chef Ulrika Bengtsson to present a one-night celebration in the newly renovated penthouse of The Roger Smith Hotel. There, Russ & Daughters and Bengtsson will showcase a tasting of a variety of herring from around the world and accompanying infused aquavits in an evening perfect for aficionados and for newcomers alike.  Tickets are $30 and can be reserved by e-mailing info@russanddaughters.com.

Check Lox Populi daily during the New Catch Holland Herring season for updates and additional events.

- Jen Snow