For newcomers to New York seeking a perfect brunch, my mind always goes directly to the Clinton St. Baking Company. Located in the Lower East Side, it’s popularity has grown so much that waits can be as long as 3 hours (and yes, I have waited 3 hours before to get a table). My go-to order is always the Banana Walnut Pancakes. They are apparently more well-known for their Blueberry Pancake (as evidence from the throwdown they had versus Bobby Flay). My absolute favorite time to go is during pancake month – February. They have a rotating menu of different types of pancakes.

The other items there are also very good. The biscuit w/ homemade raspberry jam is particularly well known. I highly suggest going during a weekday after 1pm. The lines aren’t that bad (20 minute wait), and you can sit much longer without feeling the pressure to leave.

Clinton St. Baking Company Cookbook is now available at Amazon.com.

Check out my Yelp Review here.