Clark Street Bakery Echo Park

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 bready 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 and baked goods. Their new outpost on Glendale Blvd. is still compact, but doesn’t feel small, thanks to high ceilings and a wide patio. The pastries are exceptional, specifically the kouign-amann, which is basically a caramelized croissant. But if you’re looking for something a little heartier, our favorite menu addition 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 on a picnic in the Scandinavian countryside, or living the life of a humble farmhand - which, no offense, is kind of the best way to start the day.