The Good Luck Charm of Clinton St. Baking Co. and Restaurant

Clinton St. Baking Co. and Restaurant opened its doors in April 2001, the same month and year Taste of the Lower East Side was launched to raise funds for JUMP, Grand St. Settlement’s premier volunteer mentorship program. A meaningful coincidence at the beginning of a long-standing connection.

Power couple founders Neil Kleinberg and Dede Lahman began with a 32-seat, mom-and-pop bakery and a big dream: to create a neighborhood spot so good that even New Yorkers would happily wait in line. It didn’t take long. Their warmth, consistency, and standout comfort food quickly built a loyal following, turning Clinton St. into a local favorite. As their reputation grew, so did their commitment to the community, leading them to join Taste of the Lower East Side in 2004.

Neil and Dede at their first Taste of the Lower East Side in 2004!

Some say their pancakes were always the best in the city. Others say supporting Grand St. Settlement brought a little extra luck. Either way, in 2005, New York Magazine made it official, crowning their pancakes the best in New York City. 

Whatever the case may be, Clinton St. Baking Co. became both a neighborhood institution and a destination for visitors from around the world. And, in the spirit of not tempting fate, they’ve kept coming back to Taste of the Lower East Side year after year. In 2026, they will celebrate 20 consecutive years of participation with Taste and 25 years of making an impact on the City's food scene! Today they continue their support by serving on Taste's event committee.

Call it magic, call it superstition, or just call it well-earned success by a pair of giving neighbors, Neil and Dede’s venture has been a smashing success. Their philanthropic nature has continued by supporting organizations doing important work in New York City. Dede served 5 years on the board of directors for New York Sun Works, a nonprofit building hydroponic greenhouse labs in local schools, and as the 2026 advisor for the James Beard Foundation Legacy Network to train emerging leaders across the culinary industry, while Neil serves on the advisory board of New York City College of Technology, his alma mater.

We’re always grateful for the opportunity to serve our neighbors in need, and attending Taste of the Lower East Side is such a fun and easy way to help Grand Street Settlement make an impact on our fellow New Yorkers. At this point, it’s a staff tradition and we encourage everyone to come out for a taste!

Support from restaurants, neighbors, and supporters like Neil and Dede is what has baked Taste of the Lower East Side into the tastiest fundraiser in New York City. And supporting Taste means supporting early childhood education, youth services, older adult programs, and community initiatives in the Lower East Side, Brooklyn, and the Bronx.

Get your tickets to Taste of the Lower East Side and stop by the Clinton St. Baking Co. and Restaurant booth to sample one of the city’s sweetest and most well-earned success stories.