Why we love Clinton Street Baking Company
Clinton Street Baking Company & Restaurant: a name uttered so many time this past month, we grew tired of hearing it. In fact, we were all but ready to dismiss it as an overhyped food fad that would eventually fade into obscurity (downside to being jaded food writers). But one visit was all it took to put our misconceptions to rest and alas, we emerged, post-meal, as converts of Clinton Street.
We realise that it’s hardly necessary to convince diners of Clinton Street’s culinary prowess (after all, its pancakes were deemed ‘Best in the City’ by New York Magazine). But just for the sceptics (we know you’re out there), here are our top reasons why you’ll want need to book your brunch spot at Clinton Street stat.
The history
It’s a tale as old as time…well, 2001 to be exact. Since opening its doors 14 years ago in Manhattan’s Lower East Side, Clinton Street has since won over New York’s notoriously tough crowd and become an institution famed for its comforting, no-frills take on American diner classics.
The vibe
Talk about an upgrade. While Clinton Street’s original establishment bears an authentic, rough-and-ready diner vibe (somewhere we could totally see Seinfeld and gang hanging out), its local outpost on Purvis Street is decidedly more polished – think white washed walls and terrazzo slab floors complemented with caramel-coloured seating and sleek light fixtures. Overall? Certainly not a bad place to be in while scarfing down your pancakes.
Wild Blueberry Pancakes with Warm Maple Butter
The pancakes
Speaking of pancakes, if you only need one reason why Clinton Street is worth your time and stomach space, this is it. Forget all other pancakes you’ve ever eaten before because Clinton Street’s rendition of this breakfast staple knocks all competition out of the park.
Let’s break it down: light, fantastically fluffy, and topped with a choice of wild blueberries, banana walnut or chocolate chunks, we suspect that these pancakes were clouds in their past lives – or it maybe could just be the generous use of egg whites and buttermilk. Either way, when you factor in the accompanying butterscotch-like maple butter sauce, well…that’s just heaven on a plate.
Southern Breakfast & Eggs Benedict
Ok, the rest of the menu too
While Clinton Street’s main draw is its pancakes, the rest of its menu – particularly the all-day breakfast – is on point too. Standout dishes include the Southern Breakfast: the perfect way to trade your weekend hangover for a food coma with its comforting combo of eggs, sugar-cured bacon, cheese grits, and fried green tomatoes. Eggs Benedict may be a done-to-death brunch staple, but Clinton Street dishes it up with a South-western twang: perfectly poached eggs and maple-cured ham/smoked salmon served over – wait for it – crumbly buttermilk biscuits.
De rigueur of any self-respecting American diner are the desserts – wickedly delicious, decadent, oh-my-god-this-is-giving-me-major-sugar-rush desserts – and it’s something Clinton Street isn’t short of. From creamy milkshakes (our money’s on the Boozy Salted Caramel with a shot of bourbon) to larger-than-life pies, cakes, and ice cream sundaes, you’ll need the willpower of a warrior to resist these tempting sweets.
In fact, when it comes to Clinton Street, just forget about whatever diet you may be on and just dive in. Resistance is futile.
Clinton Street Baking Company & Restaurant, 31 Purvis Street, Singapore 188608, p. 6684 4845. Open daily 8am-6pm (last order at 5pm).