The Clerkenwell

The Clerkenwell is named for a central London neighborhood where the gastropub was born. It also happens to be where owner Stefan Ching is from, and he chose to open his own raffish gastropub on the Lower East Side because it reminds him of home. The Clerkenwell is housed in a 19th-century building on happening Clinton Street and aptly enough has Guinness and Bass on tap. The menu's upscale pub fare includes walnut-crusted chicken over a classic Waldorf salad, freshly breaded fish fingers on toasted, crusty bread, and a pea and leek tart with a soft-poached egg. Brunch is a sunny, easygoing affair, where you'll find bubble and squeak and a full English breakfast.