Eating Out
by Megan Miers
Crusty Croissant dishes up family-friendly food
When searching for restaurants that bill themselves as family-friendly, moms and dads often end up taking their kids to places whose offerings don’t include much more than some cartoon characters and a handful of fried foods.
At the Crusty Croissant, 3629 S. Peoria Ave., you won’t find any signs of a cartoon clown or greasy French fries in paper bags, but instead a friendly neighborhood bakery and café that boasts a menu of freshly cooked, home-style dishes served in a warm, relaxed atmosphere.
“It’s open, spacious and clean, fun, and the kids really like to look at the bakery case,” said owner Sean Savage, whose foray into the restaurant world began at the tender age of 10, when he took a two-dollars-per-hour job washing dishes on his aunt’s boat. Savage’s family introduction to the restaurant business and a passion for cooking eventually led to a career in the industry, and it was family that also led him to open the Crusty Croissant.
In October 2007, Savage, his wife, Kristie, and their three children came to Tulsa to visit relatives. While attending the Brookside district’s annual BooHaHa Halloween festivities, the Savages spotted a “for sale” sign by the former Aioli tapas restaurant, located on the southeast side of the intersection at 36th Street and Peoria Avenue. By January 2008, they had taken possession of the space and were busy turning it into the Crusty Croissant.
Savage, who has 16 years of professional restaurant experience, says a pleasant atmosphere, delicious food and strong emphasis on customer service are key components of the Crusty Croissant, which opened March 3 and dishes up breakfast, lunch and dinner seven days a week from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. The restaurant also offers catering and delivery services, as well as a private dining area for special gatherings.
Upon entering the restaurant, customers are greeted by friendly staff members and classical music playing over the sound system. The restaurant’s décor, designed by Kristie Savage, includes lively prints, wrought-iron wall accents, tiny vases of fresh flowers on each table, and a sign over one doorway that reads, “Good food, good wine, good friends.” A cozy patio seating area includes fire pits to take the chill off the air during cooler weather.
A glass bakery case near the Crusty Croissant’s entrance displays a tantalizing assortment of desserts and baked goods, including fresh strawberry tarts, chocolate éclairs, blueberry muffins, spicy carrot cake and enough yummy chocolate chip cookies to make Cookie Monster growl with delight. The menu also includes quiches, omelets, soups, salads, sandwiches, crepes and several varieties of tea and coffee.
“There’s no fried food on our menu, so it’s healthier,” Savage said.
And if customers are craving something not usually found on the Crusty Croissant’s menu, Savage said all they have to do is ask.
“If I don’t have it and you want it, I’ll go get it,” he said.
In keeping with the Crusty Croissant’s friendly neighborhood feel, Savage says that in upcoming months, he plans on incorporating cooking classes and field-trip visits for schools, scout troops and other kids’ groups.
“We want it to be a family-friendly place and give back to the community,” he said. |
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