Clark Street Bakery

"We’re just going to come out and say it - one of the best things about Clark Street’s burger is that it’s available at 7:30am. Have we actually ordered it that early? We’ll never tell (yes, and many times). Plus, since this is a fantastic bakery, the hamburger bun it comes on is equally impeccable - soft, thick, and shaped like a sesame-seeded cloud, unlike most hamburger buns, it doesn’t feel like an afterthought, but rather a complement to the burger. The third-pound of meat is well-cooked. There’s a little bit of special sauce, but not too much. They even throw in a slice of heirloom tomato, which is cool. And again, you can order it at 7:30am. When one of our favorite stalls at the Grand Central Market announced that they were opening a stand-alone bakery, we wondered if they were ready for an expansion. But a bigger space just means that Clark Street Bakery has more room to do what they do best - namely, incredible pastries like the sticky, sugar-spun kouign-amann that tastes like a caramelized croissant. But if you’re looking for something a little heartier, our favorite menu item is the “Nordic Breakfast,” a massive platter that comes with a sourdough roll, Comté cheese, ham, butter, jam, and a hardboiled egg. This is the kind of simple, filling meal that makes you feel like you’re picnicking in the fields from The Sound of Music, or living the life of a humble farmhand. Which is kind of the best way to start the day. "