A couple of weeks ago, I had the pleasure of visiting New York City for an extended weekend trip with friends. While there, we feasted on our Manhattan favourites: gnocchi from Little Italy and Ray’s pizza. We also enjoyed brunches at fine diners, something our hometown seriously lacks. One of those diners, Clinton Steet Baking Company, was discovered by my foodie friend who saw the owners, Neil Kleinberg and DeDe Lahman, beat TV chef Bobby Flay in a blueberry pancake showdown during an episode of Throwdown! With Bobby Flay. The quaint and homey yet industrialesque diner offers refined comfort foods, including breakfast foods at every hour. Brunch and lunch can be ordered from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily, while the dinner menu (which includes a breakfast for dinner section) is fair game from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. My party arrived around 2 p.m. and was told there would be a 60- to 80-minute wait for a table. We waited on the street for over an hour, earning death stares and rebuke for blocking the sidewalk in the process, but every minute was well worth the wait. Once inside, ordering proved to be a bit of a challenge. There was almost too many dishes to choose from. I wasn’t in the mood for anything sweet, so while I was tempted to try the Brioche French Toast (which is topped with caramelized bananas, roasted pecans and warm maple butter), I opted for the Crispy Potato Pancakes, served with applesauce and sour cream, and buttermilk biscuit on the side. They were pretty amazing—crisp but not oily—and, living with a Polish boyfriend, I know a good potato pancake. Other winners include the Pancakes With Warm Maple Butter, Eggs Benedict and the many daily specials, like the Strawberry Buttermilk Waffles, below. Clinton Street Baking Company & Restaurant is located at 4 Clinton St. (between East Houston and Stanton) in New York.