DR Jose, the Petrossian building is at the top of my list of favorite NY buildings, perhaps because I've seen it so often due to its close proximity to The Wellington. I always look at the menu when I walk past, and think to myself that one day I will have dinner there, but there never seemed to be an occasion special enough (i.e. we don't have the wardrobe for it!). Who knew you could go in and get a croissant?
How dressed up do you have to get to do that?
You don't have to be dressed up at all to get a croissant at Petrossian. There's a small cafe on the 7th Avenue side of the building. It has a display case filled with baked goods on one side, and the other side is their selection of caviars and other savories for "to go" service. Most people just pop in, buy their baked goodies and leave - like I usually do. And it's very casual. There are some tables set up there if you'd like to enjoy your croissants and/or chocolate-ginger cookies and/or madeleines and/or tartes in-house. *And the coffee they serve you if you request table service is a lot(!!!) better than the stuff in the self-serve pump-carafes. A lot (as I was reminded of this morning). Best of all, the croissants are only $2.00, with the Almond and Chocolate ones running $2.50, $2.75. Practically a steal. *They're also Martha Stewart's favorite croissants in the City. (Although, sometimes she says the same things about the ones down at Balthazar and Pastis.)
The restaurant proper has an entrance on the corner of the building. Lunch there is a real good deal too. And, again, it's very casual. Don't be put off by the luxe surroundings or the brand name. They also have a good prix fixe dinner special - no jacket required, but "casual appropriate" (as some restaurants are calling it lately) is just fine.
