NYC: Breakfast at Clinton St. Baking Company

I’ve wanted to try Clinton Street Baking Company on the Lower East Side for years, but every time I’ve been meaning to go, I’ve been put off by the long line of people waiting outside. Though after my early morning walk last week, I happened to be right outside Clinton St. Baking, just when they were about to open and before the crowds had arrived.

The door was open, so I walked inside exactly at 8am, but the staff were busy chatting to each other and preparing the tables. When someone finally noticed my appearance, I was told in an irritated voice to “go outside and wait, we aren’t open yet”. Ok, it was 8am and the door was open, so how was I supposed to know?

After another 5 minutes wait a staff member came outside and greeted me in an overly friendly voice, and I walked inside with a “you can’t fool me, I’ve seen what you’re really like”-feeling. It certainly wasn’t the best start of the meal and even though the staff were very friendly during the rest of the time, I couldn’t really shake it off.

I ordered the blueberry pancakes with maple butter ($15), the buttermilk biscuit sandwich ($11 + an additional $2.5 to add bacon) and a glass of freshly squeezed orange juice.

The blueberry pancakes were nice, and I really like the warm maple butter it came with, but the buttermilk biscuit sandwich was a bit too heavy and pasty for me to really fall in love. The total bill ended on $40 with tips, which is what you would expect for brunch in New York City, and the portions were large. The blueberry pancakes and the buttermilk biscuits are two of Clinton St. Baking Company’s signature dishes, but if I were to visit again another time, I think I would order the Eggs Benedict, which I’ve had at the Clinton St. Baking Company in Dubai, and which was very delicious, instead.

Read about my second visit to Clinton St. Baking Company (yes, it was better the second time around) >>

Clinton St. Baking Company, 4 Clinton St, Lower East Side, New York