On the Plate: Upcoming Food and Wine Events

June 1: Grand Gourmet
It's the seventh annual Grand Gourmet, a tasting event to benefit and recognize the work of the Grand Central Neighborhood Social Services Corporation, the largest not-for-profit homeless social services provider in New York City. Over 30 midtown restaurants, bars and merchants, including Pampano, The Campbell Apartment, and Métrazur will be sampling their wares in Vanderbilt Hall in Grand Central Terminal. 7:00 pm - 9:30 pm, East 42nd Street at Park Avenue, $75. Tickets can be purchased by phone at (866) 468-7619 or online.

June 4: What We Eat
Food writer and editor Amanda Hesser and chefs/TV personalities Daisy Martinez, Rachael Ray, and Hottie-McHotstein- although-he's-arguably-too- young-for-some-of-us Dave Lieberman will be participating in this panel discussion, part of the Sunday with the Magazine lecture series. 10:00 a.m., at the CUNY Graduate Center, Proshansky Auditorium, Fifth Avenue and 34th Street. $25 tickets available online.

June 5 (and weekly through the summer): Clam Bakes at HQ Restaurant
HQ is ringing in summer with a weekly clam bake on Monday nights. For $37.50 you can get a taste of the beach with a 3-course menu which includes steamed lobster, Ipswich clams, mussels, chorizo, corn on the cob, new potatoes, and plenty of drawn butter. Call 212.966.2755 for reservations.
90 Thompson Street, between Spring and Prince Streets.

June 6: Mattanza Dinner at Agata & Valentina Food Bar & Restaurant
Get a taste of Sicily without leaving the Upper East Side as Agata & Valentina celebrates the mattanza, a traditional bluefin tuna fishing festival. Learn about the festival and enjoy a four-course tasting menu featuring -- what else -- tuna. 1513 1st Avenue at 79th Street, 212.452.0691, $40. Reservations are required.