Bean & Baguette proud of its Mediterranean twist
The owners of the recently opened Bean & Baguette wanted to fill a void they saw on the Greensburg restaurant scene.
“We thought the Greensburg area needed some Mediterranean food, but we didn't know if it would do well alone,” says co-owner Eric Bevan.
“If we called it Aladdin, as an example, we were worried that people would just drive by; so we paired it with some American sandwiches.”
As a result, the menus and outside signage tout “Cafe Cuisine with a Mediterranean Twist.”
On the Mediterranean side, diners will find familiar favorites such as grape leaves, hummus, kefta, kibee, mjudra, sleek and tabouli ($5 each for an appetizer-sized serving), along with spinach or cheese pies ($3 for two).
A sampler Syrian Platter ($12) comes with three falafel, three grape leaves, hummus, tabouli, pita bread, carrots and celery. Chicken or lamb and beef shawarma ($9) is served on pita with vegetables, tahini and Arabic pickle.
Co-owners Jomana Sallit and her daughter, Jouli Sallit, are in charge of daily preparation of these dishes. Their family moved to Greensburg from Syria in 2003, joining Jomana's brother, a local doctor.
In Syria, Jomana routinely hosted parties for 70 or more guests, doing all the food preparation.
At Bean & Baguette, she says, “Everything is fresh. I make everything from scratch every day. I don't like the chemicals in the cans.”
Jouli learned from her mother and grandmother: “They're the best chefs, aren't they — mothers and grandmothers?”
On the American side, Bevan says the Italian sub and Cheesy Roast Beef are the top-selling sandwiches so far. Others include Buffalo chicken, grilled cheese, ham and cheese, turkey-bacon-avocado and a veggie lettuce wrap. All are served with homemade chips for $7.50.
A house salad is $5; with chicken, steak, salmon or shawarma, it's $7.50. Salads come with a baguette. A different soup is offered weekly at $6 for a large bowl.
Various breakfast sandwiches ($6) come on a choice of bagel, croissant or muffin. Pastries are fresh daily, including baklava ($3 for two generous triangles).
“A lot of our food is gluten-free or vegan-friendly,” Bevan says. “By default, a lot of Mediterranean foods are vegan.”
For those needing a basic “Bean” fix, a 12-ounce coffee is $1.75 and a 16-ounce is $2.50; the same prices apply for hot tea. The standard array of specialty coffees are $3 and $3.75, respectively.
Bevan says he is looking for a local coffee distributor to create a signature Bean & Baguette brew. He learned the food business working in various South Side restaurant kitchens and managing convenience stores. His wife, Alexis, is also a partner, although not currently working in the eatery.
Walls of windows, wood floors and a light decorating touch give a spacious feel to the interior of the 1850s-era building, once a residence and most recently a florist shop, a block from the Seton Hill University Visual Arts Center and two blocks from the Westmoreland County Courthouse.
An upstairs study lounge is planned to appeal to the college crowd.
Whether eaten in or taken out, meals are served in to-go containers. Kids can eat from a brief children's menu while doodling on a small, chalkboard-topped table.
Local delivery is available from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. for orders of $30 and more. Catering also is offered.
Bean & Baguette, 250 W. Otterman St., Greensburg, is open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m . Mondays through Fridays and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays. Details: 724-219-3531 or beanandbaguette.com
Shirley McMarlin is a Tribune-Review staff writer. Reach her at 724-836-5750 or smcmarlin@tribweb.com.
