Clinton Street Baking Company & Lower Eastside

Clinton Street has been on my list for a good amount of time.  I always wanted to check them out since I go to NYC at least twice a year to eat.  I caught a red-eye on one day for my food tour and it gave me the perfect opportunity to arrive before Clinton St opened.

When I travel, I’m extremely OCD about my agenda and make sure it’s followed no matter what.  In other words, it means do or die.   No piss breaks.  No naps.  No bitching or crying.  I’ve been called a “Travel Nazi” by some of my friends, but I think they don’t have the determination to succeed in life.

Anyway, I made sure we arrived 20 minutes early to avoid the line.  Clinton Street is cash only, which isn’t an issue with me at all.  It’s pretty well documented on all popular eatery sites, but some reason it slipped my mind cause of the red-eye flight.   Luckily, I had just enough on me to cover the meal.  The wait staff were all very nice and friendly.  They had their recommendations that I didn’t follow.  Why would someone give you recommendations especially when they didn’t ask you?  My question of “What’s good here?” doesn’t necessary mean give me recommendations.

Now, the food.

1. Burberry Waffles – The fluffy slices of heaven that felt like Cloud 9 on your palate.  It dissolved easily as you chew them.  The sour yet sweet blueberries mesh well with the sweet maple syrup.  The taste of the dish was overall sweet with a slight sour after-taste on your palate.  This could easily be in the top 10 best waffles I’ve eaten.  I think Dave Chappelle would agree he would rather have these waffles than Prince’s pancakes.

   

2. Southern Breakfast – It’s two organic ostrich eggs any style, sugar-cured bacon, cheese grits, and fried green tomatoes.   We went with the scrambled eggs and the soft fluffy glob of cholesterol were perfect.  The sugar-cured bacon had a sweetness to them and crispy even though it was thicker than normal bacon.  The cheese grits had a coarse texture to them.  I definitely enjoyed the crunchy batter on the fried green tomatoes.  I don’t think the chef had any idea he was in New York and New York is extremely far from the South.  I don’t get the naming convention but I’m not one to judge.

   

Overall, Clinton Street definitely lived up to their hype.  It’s a great breakfast and brunch spot if you can get a seat.  I wouldn’t wait 2-3 hours for a meal but suggest people get their before it opens.  In addition, eat there only on a weekday.

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