Nice local coffee shop with paninis, baked goods, and ice cream. Â Multiple vegetarian options. Â Good coffee-better than spending your money at Starbucks down the street. Â
Pros:
Lending library of books..
Booths to sit in.
Spacious.
Friendly staff.
Tasty food and drink.
Vegan options.
Cons:
Slightly pricey, but it's what you'd expect to spend for anything comparable.
The sandwiches here are amazing and they make a mean cafe au lait with perfectly steamed milk, at a good price. Zanzibar is a good place to study or get work done.
My only complaints would be that the staff aren't always super friendly, and I think the wifi password changes every week (it's mildly annoying to have to ask for it every time I go).
Zanzibar does it all. Â This is my go to place around Bryn Mawr when I'm feeling indecisive. Â Want a sandwich? Â They got it. Â A cup of soup? Â No problem. Â Just a coffee? Â They do that too. Â Ice cream? Â Done.
The place has character, and it's fun to just hang out here. Â Honestly, this isn't my first choice for coffee, baked goods, or a casual lunch in the area, but when I want ALL THREE, this is my spot. Â I'd recommend stopping in... it's pretty good.
While in the Berwyn/Broadway vicinity, I had decided that I would stop by what looked like a little corner cafe. It turned out to be a well touted place to go for ice cream. But with rainy weather, I decided that I would sit and enjoy a pastry and coffee.
Croissant and cafe au lait.
Having recently spent some time in Vieux Montreal, I was still in a French state of mind. The croissant, albeit plain, was quite a tasty pastry. And the cafe au lait didn't require much sugar. That was the mark of a coffee machine that was not out of whack. Needless to say, I was quite a happy man, as my belly will endorse that statement.
I will have to go back to see what the rage is about the ice cream. I am one for devouring ice cream even during winter months, so I will have to check to see if Baskin & Robbins, Haagen Das, and Ben & Jerry's have competition.
So I've been sitting here for several hours now, enjoying the free wi-fi; my pretty good, very big iced coffee and blueberry scone; and comfortable seat. I'm starting to get hungry but can see from reviews that perhaps I should venture back home to make my own meal. I'll be back, mostly for the reasons stated above. My experience has been good, and I plan to keep it that way!
Review Source:Zanzibar is okay. There's a lot of seating, which is nice, including booths, although the feel of the place is just slightly on the corporate side.
The coffee was decent. I'd say that it's better than what you'd get at a chain place but not as good as Metropolis. In terms of food, the descriptions on the menu aren't entirely accurate. For example, I ordered a Caesar salad and while the name on the board read "Caesar Salad" and the description listed standard caesar salad fare, I was unpleasantly surprised to find that it was full of chicken. Although not a strict vegetarian in any sense, I do dislike chicken and so I wasn't crazy about this. I re-read the menu just to make sure it wasn't my mistake. It wasn't. Caesar salad is sort of a staple of mine, especially during my frequent travels, and this is the first time I've ever been given a chicken caesar salad when the menu listed and described a classic caesar. That's unfortunate--this place is very close by and had the salad been good, I would have seriously considered making it my go-to lunch place since I'm in need of a nearby place with coffee, lunch items and ample space to work.
The ice cream there is really good. They definitely give generous portions. I echo some of the complaints about it being too much. It can be daunting. I ordered the kid's size ice cream cone and it was almost too much for me. I can see where this could be a perk on items that you can take with you and pick on later, although for things like ice cream, it's something of a drawback as you need to eat more than you want or feel wasteful and throw part of it away.
Overall, it's not a bad place, and I'd go there again as long as I wasn't looking for lunch.
I got hooked on this place a few months ago because of their delicious (though pricey) sandwiches. Â I hadn't been in a few weeks and really wanted a dairy treat on my way home last night. Â We arrived at 8:54- yes, six minutes until close. Â The employees wouldn't let me in for just a small treat. Â
Now, anywhere I've worked or been a patron, the hours on the door mean the place is open until said hour. Â If it's Zanzibar's prerogative to close earlier, that's fine. Â But i won't be going out of my way to return ever again. Â If they're more concerned about closing up and getting home than they are about their customers, I'll go somewhere else.
I hem and haw about this place a bit.
The coffee is good and reasonably priced. The free wi-fi is a plus, but it's almost a necessity in today's coffee shops. The staff are like most other places: some are great and really friendly, and some are there to do their job (I haven't had a negative experience there). There's great options for seating and I have yet to have a problem finding a place to sit.
What causes me to waffle on how I feel about the place is the food.
I completely agree: the breakfast sandwiches here are not the best and are WAY over priced for the quality. The other sandwiches are okay, although their BLT is surprisingly good, especially considering the tase of the other sandwiches. Once again, the prices for these options are pretty high....
HOWEVER....
The ice cream here is great and appropriately priced. They have a variety of interesting flavors and you can get a hand packed pint if you want to take it back home and wolf it down while enjoying a movie. If you want to throw all your cares into the wind, you could also opt for a slice of cake. And by slice, I mean wedge. A wedge that can stop a truck from rolling downhill. A big, tasty, truck-stopping wedge. Share it with a friend or be greedy and finish it yourself. The desserts here are great and reasonably priced.
Worth a stop if you need a coffee or some dessert. Unfortunately, I have to bypass the place if I want breakfast or lunch, lest I'm in the mood for a BLT.
Zanzibar has a nice atmosphere, lots of seating and friendly staff. I live nearby and as a work-from-homer, it's a terrific place to order a drink and/or sandwich and get some work done.
Wi-fi is free and it's easy to stay for a few hours at a time since the waitstaff doesn't mind (*although I do make a point of making a purchase every two hours to justify my existence if I'm there for a stretch).
The only reason I wouldn't give them a full five-star rating is the pricing. Sandwiches here are big and expensive. It would be amazing if they went a little smaller on the portions and passed that savings on in their pricing.
Met a friend for after-work dinner/snacks at Zanzibar. Even though I had read reviews here, I was not prepared for the sticker shock. Everything here seemed so expensive, (even for this neighborhood); a sundae is over $8? My panini and small iced tea were over $12? Too expensive!
They also take part in a practice that I really get annoyed with, showing an utter lack of creativity in side dishes. "No, I am not interested in your week old potato salad scoop or bag of chips."
We ordered our goods. All of the booths had greasy, crumb ridden tabletops. My friends pastry was terribly dry, it crumbled as she made attempts to eat it. My sandwich came with an unappetizing avalanche of mayonnaise. It was palatable after I scraped some off.
I probably would not get a sandwich here again, but I do hear really great things about their ice cream, (though, I am not so sure I care to pay their lavish prices for it.)
Zanzibar is a coffee shop on Bryn Mawr that has really nice decor inside. They serve sandwiches, ice cream, desserts along with the coffee. Â Although Starbucks is only a block or so away from Zanzibar I don't spend any time there because Zanzibar has better coffee, better food and better desserts. (and FREE WIFI too)
Their sandwiches are really good and have fun names (if a little pricey) - they should have some specials and I'd eat there more. Their desserts are HUGE and so good that I try not to think about them. :)
It's a great place to hangout and doesn't have that corporate coffee feel.
The staff is 50/50 - some are very friendly and some just aren't. I literally had one guy just STARE AT ME instead of asking "may I help you". It unnerved me.
That's my only complaint - love hanging out there! A great addition to the neighborhood.
Meh not bad, atmosphere was nice, I think they should more easily label things on their menu (such as vegetarian options) so it's easier for the customer to see, and quicker to order (for vegetarians such as myself)
Sandwich was good, want to go back and try the ice-cream sometime, all-in-all just an average experience I guess.
I love to support local businesses and love [no -- L-O-V-E] local coffee/espresso joints. Zanzibar is within walking distance from my place & provides an alternative to Starbucks. Even with all of that positive mojo ... they managed to get one star.
I was a barista for 2 years. It's not *that* hard but you do have to have an eye for detail. I've had 3 lattes from here & each time my milk has been scorched. That falls under "Drink Making 101." For the prices they charge, the syrup was cloyingly sweet. The espresso beans were either old or the shot was allowed to sit too long before being poured into the drink. Again, these are all very basic things, but when not done correctly you get a funky tasting beverage.
The thing that pushed this from "Avoid" to "MUST WRITE PISSY YELP REVIEW" was an indecent that occurred several weeks ago. Despite my pleadings a friend insisted on meeting me here. I arrived early & ordered a (safe looking) beverage. I accidentally left a brand new book on the counter while walking over to a table. During the 30 seconds it took me to go back, my book had been STOLEN. When I tried to ask the counter staff for help, they couldn't give less of a fuck.
Me: Uh...did you see anyone take my book?
Counter Person: .....
Me: Could I give you my info in case someone turns it in?
Counter Person: ....
Yep. If you need me, I'll be at The Coffee Studio -- where a barista called me after I left my wallet there. No joke.
Zanzibar isn't expensive, but it is a bit more pricey than the Starbucks down the block. I still come here though. The atmosphere is nice, and makes a great place to get work or study done. I've probably spent 3 hours at a time there and the staff doesn't mind.
Their dark roast is very good. Soups vary but the ones that I've had I've liked. I pretty much only go here for the coffee and wifi but a lot of people order sandwiches or ice cream. Their breakfast panini is the only thing I've been disappointed with.
There is plenty of space, with big booths for eating in the front, and tables for the laptop crowd around the corner. During nice weather there is outside seating. I don't think they ever have less than one person working either which makes service prompt. The staff is very friendly and accommodating.
Someday I'll have tried at least something from every section of their menu. They've got sandwiches, soups, salads, ice cream, candy, baked goods, coffee drinks and probably more I am forgetting. For now though, I'll stick with a dark roast and some web surfing and like the place just fine.
After a disappointing meal, we decided to get something sweet to make us happy.. Â Since, we have not been to this place in a while, we decided to give it another go.
The portions are amazing!!! Â Almost too large.. Â Don't get me wrong, you can almost never too much good sweets. Â LOL!!
I ordered the caramel apple pie. Â It was good especially warmed. Â My partner ordered the coconut cake. Â He liked it. Since I am not a fan of coconut, I didn't try it so I believed him when he said it was good. Â My friend ordered the Red Velvet. Â It was good as I tasted hers.
Definitely a good spot for treats!!!
I have been to Zanzibar twice now and I think they are OK when you have a sweet tooth. I love the ice cream, that I guess you can find all over the city. I think the desserts, tho very big slices, are a bit over priced. The ice cream was a bit more here than a Andersonville ice shop that sold the same item and size. I have also been here to study and work once. The wifi worked fine for me; I was out on the patio.
If you are a Edgewater resident don't want to walk all the way to Andersonville for some sweets, then Zanzibar is the place to go.
The menu is mouth watering. The food is okay.
It would have helped to know that the tuna melt was full of sweet relish, which I can't stand. But oh well, guess that's my fault?
Quality of ingredients was good. Service was nice. There are a lot of large tables, so I felt bad taking a whole booth.
A lot of tables are messy, and it seems they could use more people to be cleaning as soon as someone leaves.
I'll come back and make sure I ask about ingredients next time.
It's near my place. We can get 1/2 a sandwich and 1/2 a salad for a reasonable price - SEVERAL options to choose from. I love their bread and the ingredients are fresh. Delicious ice cream from Wisconsin! The coffee is good and the staff is friendly. Love the booths.
Why I am giving them 4 stars only today: they have posters that announce you get a biscotti when you buy coffee and a cookie if you buy a sandwich (it's their anniversary). I asked a friend who buys coffee there every day if she had gotten her treat - she had not. I went there today and did not get anything either. I decided not to be so shy and ask about it. The server said he had would ask (the manager?) if they were really doing that (!!). I eventually got my treats, but wondered how come I had to ask for them and why the serves had not been informed about it! Not cool.
One more thing: how come those beautiful cakes and pies are hiding at the back of the store??? Â I am sure they would sell a whole bunch if they just showed them off by the cashier!!!
I used to love her and now I hate her! Â My motto for Zanzibar for the month of October, 2011. Â
I love that the place looks busy except for the fact that every table is hogged at--every hour the place is open--with students looking for a nice warm booth to hang out in and "study".  This is great if you want a place to pursue your education especially with the free Internet and all.  Hell  you may actually eat something while you are there.
I have nothing against students as I was one myself (and may be again--who knows in this economy!) but seriously, I can't honestly buy a sandwich and sit down--unless you count the floor.
So if you have a fetish for poor service, even poorer access to seating then go for it. Â Zanzibar is a pass for me.
I discovered Zanzibar this summer, and it is perfect for my needs and purposes. Â As a teacher and part-time grad student, I always have a ton of work to do, and get too distracted at home much of the time. Â
Zanzibar has friendly staff that do not make me feel like I need to hurry up, ample table space with booths or tables, outlets for computer, free wi-fi, good lighting, good coffee and good food. Â My favorites so far are their fresh and toasty paninis, the tomato soup, and Zanzibar chocolate ice cream shakes. Â Big fresh salads and nice selection of baked goods as well. Â I know some people feel like the sandwich prices are high, but for me, the perfect environment is worth an extra buck.
Do you ever sit in your apartment alone, and after you've eaten all the chocolate chips in your cupboard - think to yourself "I need more things with sugar in them?"
Or, you are walking home from Gay Beach, and think to yourself "oh my God. Not one person felt me up on the beach, OR offered to inappropriately apply sunblock to me."
Or, you are petting your cat and she throws up on you, and you think "I have no life, and I am single. I am sitting alone in my apartment with a senior citizen pet who just vomited on my cardigan."
Well, this actually happens to me. A lot.
And its rather dangerous that this place is just a short walk from my place. So, more often than not, I decide to visit them to get my sweets fix.
While its not open terribly late, they do have a fantastic selection of home made ice cream. You can choose from a dish, and several types of cones. I almost always get it to go, so people can't watch me devour the yumminess.
Though, on occasion, I have parked myself inside. They don't just serve ice cream, though its my favorite thing there. They also have sandwiches and coffees. They also offer FREE WiFi, which is great. Sometimes getting out of the house is just what the doctor ordered.
The inside is sort of styled like an old school ice cream parlor. The staff is friendly, and it has a great location.
If you find yourself in Edgewater, I think you should do yourself a favor and stop in, and order something yummy. Or better yet, call me, and buy us BOTH something yummy.
I lived across the street for 2 years. There was supposed to be a new Sweet Occasions in this spot so I was VERY disappointed when I saw Zanzibar open its doors.
Luckily, It turned out to be a pretty cool place and a great addition to the neighborhood. The counter staff is generally extremely nice and helpful. They have their surly days, but don't we all? The hours are good, from what I remember, 9am - 9pm most days.
All the sandwiches are named after local streets or neighborhoods which I always appreciate in an establishment. Get the Chicken Salad (Berwyn). It is so freakin' good. I also had the best mixed salad here - I can't remember the name but it was one of those deals with fruits and nuts and some awesome cherry dressing...YUM.
There is free WIFI here so there are always people lounging in the back on their macs. If you order up front, they'll bring your order back to your table which is great when you're deep into a novel...or yelping.
I think overall they could drop the prices a bit...I mean over $9 for a sandwich and chips seems excessive to me...especially given the other options in the neighborhood. I did order from the kids menu once to cut cost. tee hee.
You turned out to be A-OK, Zanzibar. Sorry I doubted you.
I came to zanzibar to study/get work done, and I'll definitely be back! Â They have so much table space, WIFI, and LOTS of food to keep you burning that midnight oil (um, even though I was there from noon to 4). Â
Unlike most study spots (coffee shops, borders, barnes, etc), the tables are big and spacious, and there are LOTS of outlets to plug in your laptop. Â Also, I was there on a saturday afternoon and it wasn't too crowded. Â I didn't have to wait for a table or stake out a bigger table while I settled for a small one. Yeah, it was pretty great.
Aside from the studying possiblities, this place has ENDLESS eating possibilities. Â I had a tea (lemon ginger, yum), chicken enchilada soup (also delicious) and 2 chocolate chip cookies during my time there. Â Those cookies were MAGNIFICENT! Â They rocked my socks, they tasted sooooo good. Â I don't know exactly what it was, the chocolate chips they used? Maybe, because they tasted richer and finer than other chocolate chips.... but it also could have been the cookie itself, perfectly soft and delicious. Â I only got one at first, but went back for another one once I realized how amazing these were. Â I think I can safely say that in my 29(ish) years of life, this was the best cookie I've ever had. Â WHAT?! yes. you heard it here. Â Zanzibar in edgewater has the best chocolate chip cookies. Â The world is crazy.
"What?! Francesca's on Bryn Mawr opens at 11:30am for lunch?! Don't most places open at 11am? BOO!"
"Let's get a warm drink at Zanzibar. Ooo! Look, it is right across the street. How convenient!"
Cute space. Nice selection of Stash teas. A display of baked goods that will make your eyes pop out on your head. Mmm, cake.
It does smell a lot like cooking in here though. I understand this happens at San Soo Gab San or The Melting Pot, but at a place that I want to have a cup of tea? I don't want to go home and change after my beverage.
As a big grad school student now, and without Internet at home, I am constantly searching for places to ride the free wifi wave. I came here last night to study and do some homework, and I was very pleased with most everything about Zanzibar. It's located about a block or so off the Bryn Mawr stop, it has FREE reliable wifi, it has plenty of space with booths, small 1-2 person tables, and a tiny loungy area with a couple comfy-looking chairs. I sat at one of the 1-2 person tables, and it was perfect for me to spread out and work, plus, plug-ins are located near every such table it seems (I'm not sure about in the booths though).
I ordered a soy chai latte and the barista put soooo much love into the making of it, it seemed he didn't want to part with it once he was finished :) I was served a steamy, large (16 oz, I think) yummy soy chai latte all for $3.25. Yes!! $3.25, and it was filled to the brim! That made me so happy. All the big chains seem to charge nearly $5 for a soy chai latte, and they always charge extra for using soy milk, which miffs the hell out of me.
I give Zanzibar 4 stars instead of 5 because I did not try any of the food. The prices did seem a bit expensive, but all of the creations sounded terrific and worth the money! I will be back and will try the food at some point, I'm sure. They also have ice cream, which I cannot have, but it's a great perk for those who want a sundae with their coffee.
Also, I work during the day, so it's nice to find a local coffeehouse that also stays open a little later (til 10pm on weekdays and 11 pm on Friday and Saturday). I practically live across the street from Metropolis, but they sadly shut down at 8, which is not jiving with my schedule. So, thank you Zanzibar for a real all-around treat of a coffee shop!
My favorite Ice cream is the namesake Zanzibar Chocolate, I do love chocolate Ice cream! Â
I have been in this place more times then I can count, Â I feel like all in all its a little over priced, especially in the baked goods department... Â But it is all very good moist flavorful! Â
I love the Panini here! Â The Bryn mawr mess may be the best Panini I have ever had! Â I have had it several times and it is always grand!
I have not done it but I have thought about chillin there on my computer they do have WiFi and what looks like a cool crowd always chillin...
I am glad this place opened in my Hood! Â Now if that Nookies would just open up down the street I will feel like I hit the lottery!
Lets here it for the ever improving Bryn mawr Business-scape!
You know the saying: if it looks like a duck and walks like a duck, then it is a duck? Well, apparently that does not apply to Zanzibar (trust me I asked). It looks like Sweet Occasions, smells like Sweet Occasions, has the VERY SAME treats as Sweet Occasions, but apparently it is NOT a Sweet Occasions.
In all honesty, I felt very much like I had wandered into one of my old favorite haunts--it is pretty much exactly the same. Add to that the fact that the employee I saw on my visit used to work for the Sweet Occasions on Clark--totaly deja-vu. It was nice to see him & chat him up for a bit--plus, I had to know if this place was on the up & up. To be fair this was supposed to be a Sweet Occasions until some shadiness happened on the part of the owners. Well, a new owners came into possession but they decided not to change what had already been done & just went with it.
Okay, now that is out of my system--phew! Overall, this place is just okay. Nothing I would go out of my way for, but if i were in the hood I would stop by. The prices are way too high for what they serve. I went with sweet options as I have one massive sweet tooth and I was not disappointed. Their cakes are very tasty, sweet, and ever so HUGE. However, the price tag is a bit steep $6 for a slice of cake. Also tried their cinnamon rolls--they are okay, nothing too special.
The space on the other hand is humongous & very user friendly. It is a great place to come for a nice chat with friends, or to work/study as they offer free WiFi. It would be a good place to stop on your way back from the Lake to get some ice cream. Â If you live in the hood, it is a nice place to stop by on your to or from work for some treats.
I was very skeptical of this local deli in the Edgewater neighborhood but in an area lacking of lunch time choices I decided to give it a go.
I had the Ardmore sandwich on multi grain and a cup of corn chowder. The sandwich was ridiculously tasty! Hummus, artichoke hearts, fresh veggie...the soup was so-so. My friend had the asiago tomato soup that truly tasted like Ragu. A bit argh. The prices are a bit steep too-- especially for that neighborhood. About $19.00 for two sandwiches.
I am only giving this spot three stars because it is one of the few places on Bryn Mawr that doesn't serve Gyros or fried chicken and the ice cream/dessert selection is great. Otherwise, it is really overpriced with just meh food.
Also, no diet coke...only diet coke LIME! Ick! What bargain sale did they get on that stuff! Gag!
This is a meta-review of sorts, as I am writing this review while enjoying the free WiFi and coffee IN Zanzibar. Ah, delish.
We got the menu board glitch figured out, boards are now neatly printed with food menus. $7.95 sandwiches are a bit pricey, but you get a side salad and bag of chips, so it's comparable to a downtown lunch. Only comment I'd have is the salad dressing on the salad was - sweet. Unexpected. You can ask for the other dressing, which I will from now on.
I had The Glenlake" which is a Reuben sandwich. It was good. Sort of a Reuben pannini - quite tasty. It didn't take me the heights of ecstasy like some OTHER River North Reubens, but this one is a block away from my house - and local nookie always wins. So, I'd come back if I was craving Reuben goodness.
Overpriced quiche has been taken down $1 per slice, and is apparently on it's way off the menu, 'cos . . . no one ordered it.
The coffee is creamy and delicious . . . it's easily the best coffee in the neighborhood. I love it, and go out of my way to partake. AND it's not a franchise (*wink*, MS!).
So, the place is shaping up to be a great addition to the 'hood. And, sadly or not, it may give the other delis in the 'hood a run for their money.
So I'm at Zanzibar now, jacking their free wi-fi (which is becoming harder to come by in the city...poo on my favourite Iguana Cafe for making you pay now!!) so I decided why not give them a favourable review for their elixir in a paper cup called ICE CREAM. Â Ice cream is the cure for whatever ails you and their butter pecan is chocked full of pecans.
I haven't had anything other than their ice cream, but I find it wonderful that they carry an assortment of tooth-rotting sweets including a good-ass selection of chocolate bars (although they could stand to add Vosges Fire Bar or a near equivalent) I like the people, I like the decor, I like the cutesy font that their logo is printed in (whose name I can't remember at the mo) and I like that they are walking distance from the Petersen bus that I take to get to my voice lesson. Â
Three cheers for dairy, sugar, and proximity!
This place looks like Sweet Occasions, tastes like Sweet Occasions, has the same booths as Sweet Occasions, opened in a spot that was supposed to hold a Sweet Occasions...
Don't get me wrong -- I loved Sweet Occasions. And my first trip to Zanzibar was like a trip back to the now-closed Sweet Occasions on Clark Street. Same incredibly rich cake (come for the cake, stay for the frosting), same ice cream purveyor. But I know that Sweet Occasions closed under some awfully dicey circumstances. So until I know that Zanzibar isn't going to skip town with the tillbox in the dead of night, I'm withholding judgment.
Zanzibar's poor choice of name and aggressive pricing are underwhelming. Â Call me a gluttonous ingrate with chutzpah, but here is a two-star review for a place where I wasn't even a paying customer; I was a guest:
The three huge blackboards with the putative menu items were blank. The putative menu in paper version lay on the counter, screaming to me that this is not a place I will patronize because it's just too damn expensive and as I explain below, the choice of name "Zanzibar" is, to me, no different than naming one's restaurant "Cafe Rawanda," "Bistro Bosnia," or "Chez Cambodia."
Since they've just opened, and their branding has peach fuzz on it, I suggest a more historically neutral name like "Cafe $7.49," because nearly everything in the salad and sandwich categories costs $6.99 -$7.99, except the Kid's Menu items, which have the low, low everyday price of $4.99. (also, the branding makes little sense. Why name the joint after an infamous and exotic African island but name the sandwiches after local Chicago streets? I don't get it.)
Other items include ice cream, cakes, pastries, and so many gourmet chocolate bars that I can't imagine they can sell very many or them. They looked more like decoration and gave the place the air of an establishment pretending to be something it's not.
I thought it a bad omen that the Sunday Trib also lay on the counter right next to the putative menu with this front page headline: "STOCK MARKET SWOON SPURS MANY TO SNAP THEIR WALLETS SHUT." Were I the owner I think I'd have separated the menus from the Trib.
It takes balls in this economy to open a place that depends entirely upon discretionary income, where two THIN slices of quiche with TINY side salads and one cup of coffee cost my generous hostess $18.00. The quiche and salad tasted very good enough, but the portions were mizerly given the price. I'd have been more content with two home-cooked hard-boiled eggs that would have cost about 35 cents.
When I was finished eating my ration, I felt as if I'd not eaten at all. Then I focused on the ironic tag line painted on the window beneath the word Zanzibar: "a little taste of paradise."
Oh, and let's not forget the historical darkness surrounding the dubious choice of the name "Zanzibar:"
It's a little thoughtless to open an upscale playground not only named after one of the worlds' most evil former cultures, but also what is today a terribly poor and backward society.
The island of Zanzibar is the infamous 19th Century capital of the slave trade on the East African Coast. The mercenary ruling Arabs  subjugated tribal leaders, destroyed villages, heavily depopulated the interior by taking slaves, and created thriving ivory markets driven by greed and flourishing fundamental inhumanity.
For over a century, the primarily Islamic Zanzibari slave traders exported more than 10,000 African slaves annually.
Today, Zanzibar is 90% Muslim and known to be highly intolerant of Christians and other infidels. Islamic fundamentalism has been festering there since long before the age of September 11th. Economically and culturally, it's abyssmal. For example, two of five rural women cannot write their own name. Maybe one in ten non-urban households have electric lights. Half of rural Zanzibari households have neither a flush toilet nor an outhouse.
But I hear there are gorgeous beaches in Zanzibar.
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