Do you find yourself missing Saturday brunch at your favorite New York City café? Searching for the perfect bakery where you can nab a fresh scone or croissant before class? Looking for a cool lunch spot to take your parents when they pick you up before Rosh Hashanah break? You’ll be excited to hear that Chroma Café and Bakery on 97 Court St. has all that and more. To sweeten the deal, Chroma is participating in Binghamton Restaurant Week for the very first time, giving you the opportunity to score a delicious three-course lunch for the incredible price of $10.
Chroma Café’s legacy started in May of 2012, when founders Heath and Nancy Hauptfleisch took a chance and opened up a tiny bakery in a modest 375-square-foot space. Their fresh baked croissants, crispy moist scones, focaccia, brownies and cookies flew off the shelves so fast that they outgrew their small space and moved to a newly-renovated location at 97 Court St. Since then, the business has only grown in leaps and bounds.
“We’re focused on providing fresh-baked, artisan goods and supporting local businesses and the community,” said manager Renee Potter. “And the reception has been fantastic. We’re very blessed to be doing so incredibly well.”
Chroma offers a huge variety of fresh-baked goods, soups, sandwiches and salads. Their specials change daily so there’s always something new to try. Chroma also supplies desserts and baked goods to other local restaurants and businesses, including The Loft at 99 and Galaxy Brewing Company.
Chroma serves breakfast until 11 a.m., offering classics like french toast, frittata and breakfast burritos. Fresh baked pastries, breads and cookies are available all day. Chroma’s lunch menu is loaded with delicious sandwiches made with fresh-baked bread and other bakery-favorites, such as Latin-inspired empanadas.
Make sure to take advantage of Chroma Café’s special Restaurant Week menu, which includes a full lunch with one side and your choice of dessert. Choose from three different entrees: three little pigs panini, which is served on homemade ciabatta bread and loaded with savory house-made bacon; the cranberry chicken salad made from scratch with fresh chopped celery, onions and peppers; or the sweet potato and black bean burger, house made on a ciabatta roll with black bean corn salsa, cucumbers, lettuce, tomatoes and avocado garlic aioli. Gluten-free options are available. Sides options are jicama coleslaw, macaroni salad, or roasted red skin potato salad made with fresh tomatoes grown from community gardens maintained by the local non-profit organization VINES (Volunteers Improving Neighborhood Environments). For dessert, choose one any of Chroma’s cookie sandwiches, cupcakes or brownies. The key lime cookie sandwich and the mocha brownie are to die for, trust us.
Chroma Café and Bakery is open Monday to Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. They provide both eat-in and takeout service.