Shelsky's On Smith Street Celebrating Special Hollandse Nieuwe Haring

(photo by Shelsky's)

Peter Shelsky, the owner of Shelsky's, at 251 Smith Street, purveyor of the best smoked and pickled fish on this side of the Brooklyn Bridge, is really excited about a special delivery to his store.
You see, he has been trying to get his hands on some Hollandse Nieuwe Haring for a while now, and he finally scored some.  He is expecting a delivery this Friday.
Hollandse Nieuwe is the season’s first herring, which starts appearing at the beginning of June. Only Herring caught between May and July can be called 'nieuwe'.
To celebrate and to share this New Catch Holland Herring, Shelsky's is inviting everyone to a special event on Friday night to kick-off the season.

Shelsky's New Catch Holland Herring Festival

Friday June 14th

7:30 pm to 9:30 pm

$20 a person

Reservation Required

Please call 718 855 8817

If you miss it, don't fret.  Peter will also make this special herring available on the dates below:
Saturday June, 15th. 1PM to 4PM
Friday, June 21st, 1PM-4PM
Saturday, June 22nd, 1PM-7PM
Sunday, June 23rd, 11AM-4PM (During the Smith Street Fair)



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Colgate 13 A Cappella Group Visits Shelsky's On Smith Street

Peter Sheslky with his daughter Clementine

The 13 members of the Colgate 13

There is something about Peter Shelsky, owner of Shelsky's on Smith Street, that you may not know.  Not only is he the best purveyor of smoked fish on this side of the Brooklyn Bridge, he is also a self proclaimed 'a cappella nerd'.
"As a student at Colgate University, I was in the Colgate 13 , the school’s all-male a cappella group. "It is something that I love and a tradition of which I am very proud to be a member," he wrote to me in a recent email.
As part of one of their frequent tours,  the current members of the Colgate 13, the third oldest collegiate a cappella group in the country, are in New York this week-end.   On Saturday afternoon, they stopped by Peter's shop at 251 Smith Street to sing a few songs for Shelsky's customers and passers-by.
Of course, Peter joined in.  It was great fun listening to them.  They are pretty amazing.
After lunch, the group was going to head to Carroll Park for a few more tunes.

And Peter, I am impressed!

***UPDATE***
The group never made it to Carroll Park after Peter plied them with platters of smoked fish at his house.
I can't say I blame them.



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Order Your Passover Dinner At Shelsky's On Smith Getting Ready

Besides its usual selection of delectable cured fish like salmon, whitefish, sable and sturgeon as well as pickled herring, Shelsky's at 251 Smith Street, has added some Passover stables like Matzos and Gefillte Fish for the Holidays. To make things even easier, owner Peter Shelsky is offering an entire Seder dinner complete with Matzo Ball soup, braised lamb shanks, potato kugel, and apricot and prune Tzimmes.
Just stop by the shop before April 1, and place your order. Pick up on Thursday, April 5 to Saturday, April 7th.   Free delivery for orders over $200.


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Last Night At Shelsky's First Monthly Tasting

Peter Shelsky, the owner of Shelsky's, 251 Smith Street, was standing behind the counter smiling, handing out samples of smoked whitefish on Monday evening, on the first of his new monthly taste testings.  

For $25 ($20 if reserved in advance) the tasting menu allowed guests to sample many of Shelsky's delicious smoked, pickled and cured fish, as well as some of the salads.  And those who attended last night clearly enjoyed every bite. 

"Try this." he encouraged.  "I just got it in.  It comes from Michigan."  He handed me a small piece of white fish.  "Isn't it great?" Peter asked.  Oh, yes! It was simply amazing. So light and delicate.  And that was just the beginning.  

"Now try the white fish caviar from the same supplier." Peter disappeared into the back of the store and came back with a small jar of golden roe, opened it and handed me a spoon. What can I say?  It was simply divine.

And to top it all off, there were samples of home-made chocolate Babka and fruit-filled rugelach. Not a bad way to spend a Monday night, I say. 

The next tasting will be held on Monday, December 5th.  To reserve in advance, call Sheslky's at 718 855 8817 or stop by the store.

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Great Food News! Shelsky's To Host Monthly Tastings

If you haven't discovered Shelsky's on Smith Street yet, you have been missing out.  But don't worry, because owner Peter Shelsky  just came up with a compelling reason for everyone to stop by his amazing store to sample his wonderful smoked, cured and pickled fish, salads and bread.
Peter writes:
"Starting next Monday, November 21st, we are doing monthly tastings in the evening from 6-9PM in the store at 251 Smith Street.  We will open our doors in the evening for people to taste many of our smoked fish and pickled offerings in the form of hors d’oeuvres and canapés.  The cost is $20/person if they reserve in advance, or $25 at the door.   I just want to create these really lovely evenings so people can get acquainted with Shelsky’s and what we have to offer, and maybe give our present customers the opportunity to taste some items they haven’t yet tasted.  We are going to make it an evening of teachable moments with me discussing the different fish, how they are prepared, and even a salmon slicing lesson.  Further down the road, I hope to bring in people from our suppliers to discuss the process of smoking."
Count me in, Peter!
In the future, Peter is hoping to get a temporary liquor license to be able to offer bubbly with the tastings.  It doesn't get any better than that, I say.  Count me in!
To reserve in advance, call Sheslky's at 718 855 8817 or stop by the store.  

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Shelsky's Smoked Fish Now Open On Smith Street

On the left, owner Peter Shelsky

Foodies, rejoice! No need to head to the Lower East Side anymore for great lox or white fish. From now on, all you have to do is to stop by Shelsky's Smoked Fish at 251 Smith Street. The store just opened its doors a few days ago and already, it's clear that it will soon be a neighborhood favorite. Whether cold or hot smoked, cured, pickled or kippered fish, the store seems to have it all, including wonderful spreads and salad.

And did I mention they also carry delicious rye bread, bialys, bagels and knishes?

Take it home, or order a sandwich to go. It all looks delicious. Oh, and did I mention that they will cater as well?

Shelsky's Smoked Fish

251 Smith Street

Tel: 718 855 8817

info@shelbys.com

www.Shelskys.com

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