5 Houston brunches you have to try now

>>Click to see other Houston brunch options. Soft-shell crab and an egg, from State of Grace's updated Sunday brunch menu. >>Click to see other Houston brunch options. Soft-shell crab and an egg, from State of Grace's updated Sunday brunch menu. Photo: Courtesy Photo: Courtesy Image 1 of / 50 Caption Close 5 Houston brunches you have to try now 1 / 50 Back to Gallery

Houston has a wealth of great brunch options. And the list keeps getting better. Newer menu items include a "Tex-Italian" roster of unique fusion dishes, another pairs Southern dishes with Parisian flavors.

State of Grace

Where: 3258 Westheimer

When: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. Sundays

Chef Bobby Matos has updated the Sunday brunch menu at this upscale River Oaks restaurant. The new options are in keeping with the lunch and dinner menus' mix of Southern classics with internationally infused flair.

>>See a full roundup of some of Houston's best brunches in the gallery above.

Among the new offerings are the soft-shell crab with fried egg; "Kimchi & Eggs" served with pork belly, and curried fried rice; Mexican-inspired "Steak'N'Eggs" accompanied by refried beans, cotija cheese and bacon-fat tortillas.

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"I update the menus constantly, and feature seasonal Gulf seafood whenever possible. For example, we are offering soft-shell crab from the Gulf with an egg on our brunch menu," Matos told Chron.com. "The new menu items often reflect ingredients that we as a staff are eager to incorporate, like kimchi in the 'Kimchi & Eggs' dish. We try to create something for everyone to enjoy, and always work off of our original menu theme of Gulf Coast meets Texas Hill Country." (Story continues below.)

Xochi

Where: 1777 Walker

When: 11 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. Sundays

It just earned a rare 4-star review from Houston Chronicle food critic Alison Cook, so making reservations at James Beard Award-winning chef Hugo Ortega's downtown restaurant may be a feat. Ortega and his wife, Tracy Vaught, own a local portfolio of restaurants that each feature expansive Sunday brunch buffets. Xochi is no exception, it features a long list of Oaxacan delicacies paired with drinks dreamed up by beverage director Sean Beck. To cap your brunch experience, choose from one of several small pastries near the coffee-side buffet.

Cane Rosso (Montrose)

Where: 4306 Yoakum Blvd.

When: 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. Sundays

Ever since Cane Rosso owner Jay Jerrier welcomed longtime Houston chef Jonathan Jones to create Texas-inspired pizza, the menu has evolved with a personal local touch. Now it's also expanded, with a list of brunch offerings served Sundays. These Tex-Italian dishes includes some Southern staples. The brunch menu at the Heights location will roll out later this summer.

Among the offerings is polenta topped by poached eggs and salsa verde. There's also a brunch bucatini pasta made with spicy Gulf shrimp and ghost-pepper guanciale — a cured meat prepared from pork jowl — in a tomato sauce. Jones also crafts a jalapeno-cheese Southern hoe cake with guanciale and sorghum butter.

Jones said they wanted to "bring big and bold flavors to the community that Houstonians will like." He adds, "These are the flavors I grew up with. It's about fun and family and our dog-friendly patio." And of course, there are also the $1 mimosas. (Story continues below.)

Photo: Jeff Amador/Cane Rosso From the brunch menu at Cane Rosso (Montrose): porchetta topped...

Frank's Americana Revival

Where: 3736 Westheimer

When: 11 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. Sundays

The Highland Village restaurant is bringing back its Sunday brunch with a pop-up menu that features seasonal dishes alongside Southern-comfort staples, like biscuits and gravy.

"The request from our neighborhood guests for weekend brunch service has been overwhelming over the last few years, and something we just couldn't ignore any longer," owner Mike Shine said. "With our soon-to-open private dining rooms expansion and additional kitchen, the timing was just right for us to launch brunch service."

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Brasserie du Parc

Where: 1440 Lamar

When: 11 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Master Chef of France Philippe Verpiand is offering Parisian brunch fare in downtown. Grab a seat overlooking Discovery Green and choose from a variety of classic dishes imbued with French flavor. Offerings include the "Ratatouille Crépe," a vegetable medley with sunny-side-up egg and mozzarella; "Dorado du Golf," a Gulf snapper topped with saffron cream and served with fingerling potatoes and baby heirloom tomatoes. For something sweet, sample the "Pain Perdu," vanilla French toast with fresh berries.

Beverage director Kimberly Paul has curated special cocktails, including the "Sunny Side of the Parc," a house-made limoncello with a splash of Green Chartreuse, fresh lemon and champagne.