Budget Bites: Chrôma
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Green egg frittata with zucchini, spinach, tomatoes, jalapeño and green onions. Photo: Shafaq Patel/Axios
👋 Shafaq here! A coworker was visiting Houston, which gave me the perfect excuse to check out chrôma by the Menil.
Dig in: Chrôma opened this summer in the former Bistro Menil space. It's the latest restaurant from Houston chef Claire Smith, known for now-closed favorites Shade, Canopy and Alice Blue.
- The all-day menu brings back some popular dishes from her previous restaurants, including Alice Blue's chicken flautas.
My experience: I was immediately charmed by the cozy space, with its colorful pillows and inviting decor — fitting for the artistic neighborhood. It's the kind of place where you can ease into your morning with a newspaper — as one customer was doing — or catch up with a coworker, like I did.
- For my meal, I went with the server-recommended green egg frittata ($12), and it didn't disappoint. It was packed with vegetables, the egg whites were fluffy, and the feta added just the right amount of tang. It all felt very light and fresh.
- The seasonal pastries are also worth trying.
If you go: 1512 Sul Ross St.
