New Coffee Shop and Restaurant—Bean & Burgundy Bread—Opens on Route 40

You may have passed the sign for Bean & Burgundy Bread on Route 40 sometime in the past year. It replaced the old Blockbuster sign. For awhile, it simply announced 'Coming Soon!'

Now, the new coffee shop and American fusion restaurant is open. It officially opened at 9469 Baltimore National Pike two weeks ago. The spacious restaurant offers sandwiches, a breakfast menu, coffee and espresso, pastries, cakes and baked goods.

There's also Korean items like bibimbap ($7.50) and bulgogi sandwiches ($8.50 - $10).

Wine, beer and a full dinner menu are still in the works, according to general manager Young Coffman. Coffman said the restaurant is looking for an Italian chef to handle the dinner menu, which will be composed of American comfort food with "an Italian touch."

The restaurant is in the process of obtaining a full liquor license, and has a hearing scheduled for Tuesday night. After that, it could take four to six weeks to obtain the license, if it's approved, according to Martin Johnson, a consultant helping the restaurant obtain the license.

The 4,600-square-foot restaurant can seat up to 120 people. The modern interior features large front glass windows, wood floors, an exposed ceiling, shelves filled with baked goods, a showcase with cakes, a variety of tables, and a knight statue.

In the kitchen is a wood-burning oven, which Coffman says the restaurant uses to make its flatbreads and toast sandwiches.

The restaurant has free wi-fi and encourages customers to come in and work, have meetings, or gather with groups.

"Come on in and relax," said Coffman, "just swing by and sit by the window. So far we've had students coming in to study for exams, real estate people, and business meetings, even church groups."

Coffman said the focus of the restaurant is customer service.

"We want to make everyone feel comfortable when they come in," said Coffman.

The owner of the restaurant, Annie Minji Lee, is an Ellicott City resident. This is her first restaurant, according to Coffman.

Menu items include the Texas sandwich—roast beef, swiss cheese, BBQ sauce on a kaiser roll ($8.99); BBB signature wrap—bulgogi, sauteed spinach and zucchini, green pepper, provolone and horseradish dressing on a spinach wrap ($9.99) and a grilled chicken caesar salad ($10.99).

The restaurant is open from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m.