About
the Café
As
our name suggests, we opened our doors in July of 1995 as a unique
Eastern European Coffeehouse and Café. Ahh… yes, that’s where the
“Bean” in Ze Mean Bean comes from! And the “Ze”? That denotes our
“European” roots. The original concept was simple: owner Yvonne Dornic
is of Eastern European decent. Her father is from Czechoslovakia, and
her mother’s background is Polish and Ukrainian. Yvonne wanted to
create an environment much like the coffeehouses of Eastern Europe,
which served as social gathering places and outlets for local musicians
and artists. Ze Mean Bean Café definitely exudes old world charm!
Yvonne’s mother Ann adds to the Café’s intimate feel by filling the
café’s dessert case with her delectable homemade signature desserts.
Soon after our opening, the reviews started rolling in and they were
outstanding! Our little establishment, well prepared to serve up our
signature coffee drinks, was not at all prepared for the popularity of
our simple, but delicious home cooked meals. Baltimore Magazine
announced ZBMC to be one of “Baltimore’s Best New Restaurants” in
February of 1996 and we have had the honor of being selected as one of
“Baltimore’s Best” in their annual review ever since! (View our rave reviews to learn what else Baltimore’s
culinary experts have to say about Ze Bean.)
In 1998 we expanded our kitchen and created a cozy second floor dining
room that is the perfect setting for private parties and special
events. In August of 1999 we secured our liquor license and set out to
transform our coffeehouse setting into an elegant wine bar and dining
destination.
Over the years ZMBC has had the privilege of having some of the
region’s finest chefs man our kitchen. Each of them has brought a
unique flair to our menu and left an indelible mark on our
establishment. In the other side of the house, our experienced service
staff is locally renowned for the warm and friendly welcome given to
every guest as well as their first-class service.
Today, ZMBC stills serves up authentic Eastern European specialties….
however, our traditional menu is complimented with world class
international “Chef’s Specialties” and a carefully
selected wine menu. What will tomorrow bring? Who knows!… We let our
guests be our guides.
The reviews are in...
Voted
one of “Baltimore’s Best Restaurants” by Baltimore Magazine
1996, 1997 1998, 1999,
2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2009
Voted Baltimore’s “Best Comfort Food” by City Paper’s Dining
Guide
Voted Baltimore’s “Best Eclectic Menu” by Baltimore Magazine
2000
Voted Baltimore’s “Best Place for a First Date” by Baltimore
Magazine
Voted Baltimore’s “Best Brunch” by Baltimore Magazine
2001, 2006
Voted Baltimore’s “Best Brunch” by The Baltimore Sun
Voted
Baltimore’s “Best Brunch” by City Paper 2001
Voted
Baltimore’s “Best Brunch” by AOL City Guide 2004, 2005, 2006,
2008
Voted
Baltimore’s “Best Soup” for our Borsht by Baltimore
Magazine, 1997
Voted Baltimore’s “Best
Reuben” by Baltimore Magazine
Voted
Baltimore’s “Best Pierogi” by City Paper 2003
Voted Baltimore’s “Best Coffee” by City Paper’s Dining
Guide
Voted Baltimore’s “Best Coffee Bar” by City Paper 1997
Voted Baltimore’s “Top 10 Dessert & Coffee Destinations” by
10best.com
Presented with “Award of Distinction” by Zagat 2002,
2003, 2008
Voted
one of the Top Ten "Winter
Restaurants" by The
Baltimore Sun 2009
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