Originated from New York’s Lower East Side, Clinton Street Bakery Company opened its doors in Singapore last year – joining other well-known food establishments like Saveur, Yet Con and Jai Thai located along Purvis Street. The fact that it is the latest venture across the Atlantic has created a lot of buzz from the media and throng of pancake fanatics who have tried the real deal in NYC.
Although I have visited NYC last year, it did not make it to my well-researched itinerary as I was preoccupied on visiting other more famous foodie places that made it to the top 30 of Trip Advisor, such as Magnolia Bakery, Katz Deli, and Chelsea Market. I did not know what Clinton St. was about until I saw articles on it and reviews on Instagram.
It is currently ranked #88 on Trip Advisor’s Restaurants in NYC. While their pancakes looked plain without much garnishes, but they seem really thick and fluffy, which is their main selling point. The main outlet was voted as “New York’s # 1 breakfast spot” by Lonely Planet and “Best Pancakes” by New York Magazine twice!
Moreover, an Australian foodie-friend whom I met up with during her vacation in Singapore during the Christmas period last year raved about their French Toast – instead of their famous pancakes – so I made a point of trying it out. I told her the best I’ve had is Artistry’s PB&J which I brought her to try, but she guaranteed that it’s the best French Toast that she has had and I’d love it.
I am usually quite picky with my French toasts so I came to see what Clinton Street Baking Company’s version is all about. I came here another time for their Pancakes after that so read on to find out more!
Saw this sign outside and I was so happy! I knew that they usually open till 6pm.
BREAKFAST FOOD FOR DINNER?
HELL YEAH!
We arrived here at 2pm on a Sunday, hoping that there would be no queue. The longest queue I’ve waited for was Lola’s Cafe so I heaved a sigh of relief. The host took my number down and told me it would take around 20 minutes for our table to be available.
I then suggested to walked around Purvis Street to kill time and browse the shops within the vicinity. Almost wanted to have a plate of Chicken rice at Yet Con, since it seemed quite popular amongst the locals, but we resisted our hunger pangs and continued waiting for our seat. Thankfully, the host kept his word and we were ready to go in!
The cafe had a good mix of two and four-seaters. We were directed to the table nearby the barista counter against the wall on the right.
While we were distracted at their all-day breakfast and lunch offerings, I was adamant on getting my Brioche French Toast [$18]. Their Chicken & Waffles [$21] looked really good while I was peeking at our neighbouring tables, but its reviews indicated that they were mediocre.
Focus, Andrea, focus…
And then it came to the dessert menu.
We gotta rewind to the desserts bit now; they looked REALLY APPETISING and would steal your attention as soon as you walk into the restaurant.
Reading them off the menu does not do them any justice!
Almost ordered their Apple Pie, but I found out that my company does not like them… Awh.
Our food took about 20 minutes to arrive, which was reasonable, since it was full house.
Brioche French Toast with caramelised bananas, roasted pecans, warm maple butter [$18].
Taste: 3.75/5
This is not the fanciful type of Brioche French Toast that you may find in your typical local hipster cafes today.
It is a different rendition that goes back to the basics; humble and simple, yet tasty due to the fresh thick-cut brioche, paired with the sweet caramelised banana compote. Warm maple butter can be drizzled on top for some depth of flavour, but I would caution not to add to much; it may become repulsive towards the end of the meal.
I still see myself reaching out for my all-time favourite PB&J French Toast at Artistry in the future – instead of this. Sure, it is tasty, but I like more unique takes on the traditional French Toast. Nevertheless, I like how it is filling and just nice for two to share!
Oh sure, LOTS of butter at that too.
We came back and gave their pancakes a try for dinner this time
Having pancakes for dinner is a dream come true! Just look at how tall they are…
I chose to have their classic Wild Blueberry Pancakes with Warm Maple Butter Maple Syrup [$18], which most diners ordered; their Chocolate Chunk one looked quite pathetic on photos with merely bits of chocolate, and I’ve already tried their banana toppings on the Brioche French Toast.
Since their maple butter was a bit too heavy for our liking after our first try, I asked for maple syrup instead and I was so glad that they were able to do this substitution!
Taste: 3/5
What distinguishes Clinton St.’s pancakes over others is not only the thickness of each pancakes, but also the techniques on making the pancakes. I could taste the crispy caramelised edges of the pancakes – which was interesting! I have never came across such a texture before. Moreover, the pancakes seemed to be able to absorb all the maple syrup goodness quite well.
Found out that the bottom of each pancake had blueberries underneath too.
My company, however, wasn’t impressed since he usually has the ones from McDonald’s. He actually prefers the latter! I am not too fussy about pancakes – but they gotta be fluffy and I usually require an abundance of sauces to dress over them, or else they would be dry.
No one likes dry, flavourless pancakes. The ones I had at Populus Coffee & Co. is a perfect exemplification.
Spamming them with maple syrup, which is a great alternative for those who do not want their food to be drowned in their sinful signature maple butter!
Although the amount of Blueberry Sauce is just nice, one thing that turned me off was the thick solid ball buried within, which I chewed on. I think it’s corn starch that was not stirred through properly. Eek. What an oversight by the chef!
Other downsides include lacking maple sauce to coat all of our three extremely thick pancakes comfortably, they were not not as soft and fluffy as I expected them to be.
I usually consider my pancakes”fluffy” when I am able to break it loose with a lone cut from my fork with one hand and I could taste many air pockets in the batter that is akin to a chiffon cake.
This did not happen, unfortunately.
Posing with the pancakes to prove that they are as big as my face!
The crowd on a weekday was drastically different from the weekend – only one table was occupied when I entered. I would encourage anyone to visit then; I arrive at about 6.30pm.
BUNNY’S VERDICT:
MAYBE?
BUNNY RECOMMENDS: Brioche French Toast, if you die die must try!
RATING
Ambience: 3.5/5 The interior of the cafe is pretty traditional and conservative – simple with walnut wood finishings, old-school lights and waxy floors. The lighting has largely yellow hues though, which may affect your photography. The washroom deserves a special mention, as it is quite well-sanitised during both visits, which not many cafes would bother about!
I believe that an important aspect for a cafe to commands respect from customers is to maintain a decent quality for the hygiene of their washrooms! Does anyone agree with me on this? Or am I just plain weird?
Service: 3.5/5 I was generally pleased by the accuracy of the estimation of our waiting time during our first visit on a busy Sunday. We were seated within 20 minutes of waiting on the dot and service was friendly and attentive even though it was packed to the brim.
The quality of service backslid on our repeated visit though. One of the waiters seemed quite aloof, as she pretended not to see us when we raised our hand for more tap water. This happened when the restaurant was less than half-filled. We also felt being judged when requested to takeaway some leftover pancakes (we had chicken rice before this). Well, their inconsistency in service may be an additional reason for us not to visit again.
Clinton St. Baking Company
Address: 31 Purvis St, 188608
Phone: 6684 4845
Opening Hours:
8am – 10pm Daily
clintonstreetbaking.sg
Directions:
- Alight at Esplanade (Circle Line) or Bugis (DT Line, EW Line) station. It will be a 10- minute walk from both stations.
Hopping out…
ANDREA THE #FOREVERHUNGRY BUNNY
BUNNY MUNCHIES 
I’m never going back. The service was so poor. I thought the girls were great but all the guys were aloof and impatient and barely smiled. I was there when they were quite empty and yet the staff were all busy chatting at the bar instead of serving customers. The food was meh as well. The pancakes are nothing special. The breakfasts were all standard fare. I actually liked their condiment green sauce the most. The ambience was poor for a hangout spot with uncomfortable chairs. Just had the feeling they got arrogant because they started so well.
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Hi, thank you for your comment!
Yes that’s very true. They can do so much better than that in terms of food and service. Their business would probably be sustained by expats or those who really miss American food. Many other nice pancakes elsewhere!
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