Shopping and Eating at Petrossian
Whenever I want an exceptionally good croissant, I go to Petrossian New York Boutique, located at 911 Seventh Avenue in Manhattan, a haven for gourmet foods and gifts. Petrossian was founded in the 1920’s, when two Armenian brothers, Melkoum and Mouchegh Petrossian introduced Paris to the splendors of caviar. The love for their finest quality caviar really caught on and today, Petrossian is the premier buyer and importer of Russian caviar worldwide. After the caviar craze was established, the brothers introduced Paris to another Russian delicacy – smoked salmon, using their family’s secret recipe. That wonderful caviar, smoked salmon, and other smoked fish is available at the Petrossian boutique and café, where the repertoire also includes organic breads, flaky pastries, fabulous candies, and bottled and canned products. If you are so inclined, you may sit for a delicious breakfast or lunch in the café. Or, if you prefer an elegant lunch, dinner, or brunch, you may sit in the art deco style Petrossian restaurant and choose from a French-influenced contemporary menu.
1 Petrossian restaurant and café is housed in the historic and ornate Alwyn Court Building at the corner of West 58th Street and Seventh Avenue. This is the restaurant entrance.
2 And this is the entrance to the café.
3 Completed in 1909, this 12-story building is covered top to bottom with molded terra cotta Renaissance and Gothic shapes and figures. The building is a designated landmark.
4 The profusion of intricate detail that covers the entire building is in the style of Francis I, of the French Renaissance, and his personal symbol was a crowned salamander.
5 Inside the restaurant, designed by Ion Oroveanu - This is the art deco style bar, featuring fabulous etched mirrors by Erté, a Russian-born French artist and designer.
6 A closeup
7 Another
8 And another
9 This amazing chandelier is a Lanvin.
10 There are also Lalique crystal light fixtures.
11 Whimsical bronze sculptures from the 1930's are positioned in the windows.
12 Another
13 And another
14 This is the interior of the cafe and boutique.
15 I absolutely love Petrossian's flaky, light, and buttery croissants.
16 This is an apricot Danish - essentially a croissant filled with almond paste, whole apricots, and garnished with pistachio nuts.
17 And this is an almond croissant filled with almond paste and drizzled with toasted almonds.
18 A perfect little raspberry tart
19 A tart of mixed berries
20 Cinnamon rolls
21 Raisin miam
22 Pain fromage
23 Loaves of oatmeal cranberry bread and apricot hazelnut bread
24 A roasted vegetable foccacia with zucchini, squash, sweet onion, red peppers, and cheese
25 Canele - a caramelized vanilla custard and assorted cookies
26 Madeleines are one of my favorite cookies - very small sponge cakes with a distinctive shell-like shape.
27 Double chocolate pecan cookies
28 Petrossian sells a lovely assortment of chocolates and candies, all handmade in a small confectionary in Paris using only the best ingredients.
29 Checkerboard praline
30 Cappuccino praline
31 Calvados hearts
32 Raspberry heart praline
33 Pistachio praline
34 Riverstones are assorted dried candied fruits, almond paste, and chocolate covered almonds.
35 A tin of Petrossian cognac pearls
36 But, what first made the Petrossian name so famous was caviar. For nearly ninety years, Petrossian caviar has stood for excellence.
37 Today, Petrossian works with sturgeon farms, providing gourmet sustainable options to wild sturgeon. Their caviar has a full and robust flavor.
38 They also sell light, little blini, or pancakes to serve the caviar on.
39 Of course, dolloped with delicious crème frâiche
40 And for more than 60 years, Petrossian has been making smoked salmon using a secret family recipe.
41 In addition to assorted varieties of smoked salmon, there is also smoked sturgeon, scallops, trout, black cod, mussels, and whitefish.
42 And also several varieties of pure foie gras
43 They also have a nice selection of bottled, jarred, and canned products like raspberry vinegar and truffle-flavored olive oil.
44 And eggplant caviar
45 And lobster bisque
46 A Petrossian Salmon Sampling of their Premier Smoked, Classic Tsar Cut, Tsar Cut Vodka Dill Spiced, and Tsar Black Sea Spiced
47 A traditional Caesar salad with Parmesan cheese and garlic croutons
48 The Petrossian Signature Cobb Salad - smoked salmon, tomatoes, avocado, fresh goat cheese, eggs, and crumbled apple smoked bacon
49 The Petrossian Club - toasted blini layered with lemon-sage aioli, smoked salmon, sturgeon, tomato, lettuce, and honey mustard
What a grand and glorious building. I don't think you'd be able to see everything on it if you looked all day.
The food looks very tempting, although I couldn't afford to walk in the front door, or pronounce half of it if I could afford to go in.
But, that doesn't keep me from appreciating that it is there for others and thanks to you, I now know of it.
Gloria G!!!
Posted by: Gloria | July 19th, 2011 at 12:20 am
This is the best place one could ever wish to visit for shopping and eating. Makes me wonder why my nieces and family rented an apartment in Paris.
Posted by: ann | July 19th, 2011 at 1:22 am
That was fabulous. I love the Erté, Lalique, and Lanvin art d'objets! It is worth going in for those alone. And do they have a website? I must have missed it.
Posted by: Karen | July 19th, 2011 at 3:28 am
I want to visit now.
Posted by: Teresa Touey | July 19th, 2011 at 9:06 am
MMMMMMM! Made me hungry just looking at all those wonderful delights!
Posted by: Jan B | July 19th, 2011 at 9:23 am
Hi Martha, OMG! WOW! What a spectacular tour this was! Not only is the outside of this beautiful building stunning, but the inside is out of this world!! Everything they have looks so delicious and I would love to visit there if I ever get to NYC! The restaurant is superb and the cafe and boutique are outstanding! It's so easy to see why you love those croissants and I know you love the caviar!! Their website sure does show beautiful items that would be fun to try! My mouth is watering right now! Loved seeing your wonderful special on Hallmark Channel last night-it was superior! Was also fun to listen to 'Ask Martha' on Sirius Radio 110 yesterday! I tried to call to ask how sweet little Sharkey is recovering from her bug bite, but the line was busy the whole hour. Sure hope she is improving! Off to view 'The Daily Wag' now! Have another terrific day! Jan
Posted by: Jan Erickson | July 19th, 2011 at 10:01 am
After all of those years living in NYC, I have never been to Petrossian. Thank You for the reminder that such a glorious place awaits my visit. Looks like the perfect place to meet clients for lunch although it will be tough to leave my classics. Grenoiulle, Gramercy Tavern, and of course The Modern. Thanks Martha!
Posted by: Larry Ruhl | July 19th, 2011 at 10:02 am
Martha, the food at Petrossian looks soooooooo goooooooood!!!!!!! Salmon is my absolute favorite food!!!! Thanks for sharing this blog.
Posted by: KLBrown | July 19th, 2011 at 10:19 am
Hi Martha,
I wish I could hop a plane right now just to go to New York to see that building! I will also think the same thing in September when the new season of your show begins! This building looks like a Cathedral it’s so beautiful, and it seems to be the right housing for the wonderful Petrossian café and restaurant - so classy with unique and delicious looking food. The Petrossian brothers are another prime example of how one can turn a love for something, (cavier) into something successful if you really believe in your product and yourself - like you Martha and the three women you interviewed on your Women with Vision Hallmark Special last night. Their accomplishments were astounding and I hope all women who dream of turning their passion into a successful business were able to watch. I was impressed with all three women and especially the architect, Elizabeth Diller, and I believe all three of them gave the same good advice which was to first find something that you really love to do. You in particular have been a beacon for millions of people including me and I enjoy doing things the Martha way, with a few tweaks of my own of course and it all boils down to one thing for me. There are doers and there are followers and if you can’t find something that you really like to do, then follow someone you really like and do some of their stuff. Works for me! Trish
Posted by: Trish | July 19th, 2011 at 10:33 am
Totally enchanting tour of this wonderful treasure. Mmm...croissants...and on and on. Another spot to add to the 'bucket' list!
Posted by: sherey | July 19th, 2011 at 10:51 am
Hi, Martha,
Thank you for yet another wonderful field trip to yet another phenominal destination. If I hadn't read your paragraph and the captions for each photo, I would have been convinced I was in Paris. After reading your blog for quite a while now, I can understand why people love New York so much. Thank you!
Posted by: Bobbie | July 19th, 2011 at 11:01 am
Wow! What a building this is. I love it! The amazing assortment of goodies is wonderful. Thanks for sharing this beautiful place with us all! Makes me want to fly to New York just to have a almond or apricot pastry.
Posted by: Frances | July 19th, 2011 at 11:55 am
Love the statues and the croissant looks delicious. Amazing place
Posted by: Rowaida Flayhan | July 19th, 2011 at 4:16 pm
I haven't been to the Petrossian since 2003. It's changed! I don't remember the bakery and chocolate cases. I love the design of the building and interiors. I took a good look at the photos of chocolate in the posting. I recognize many of the brands. Overall, they'll all beautiful but I don't think the quality and flavor are up to the standards of the Petrossian brand.
Posted by: Mary Leonard | July 19th, 2011 at 8:43 pm
You take us to the nicest places Martha! Oh my, don't know what I would select - except perhaps some of the berry tarts - and next a croissant - and then of course the smoked salmon and - oh, I guess I do know what I'd select! Everything looks amazing - I envy you having this lovely place to visit!
Posted by: Donna | July 20th, 2011 at 12:31 am
Martha, we'd love for you to experience Petrossian here in Los Angeles as well. The space is much different, a light, airy corner in West Hollywood, and the food is exquisite. You can still have your caviar and smoked salmon and may also wish to try one of Executive Chef Giselle Wellman's beautiful salads or Squid Ink Pasta with Uni. She also makes THE best burger in LA! Lastly, at the West Hollywood Outpost they offer Caviar 101 classes the first Thursday and Friday night of the month, a $35 caviar tasting with Champagne or Vodka. Such fun and a great way to experience Petrossian.
Posted by: Trisha | July 20th, 2011 at 1:01 pm
Thank you for posting this. I cant belive I have never heard or seen this before. I'm going to check this out the next time i am in NYC. !!
Posted by: April Aldighieri | July 20th, 2011 at 4:00 pm