Beam @ Bandar Sri Damansara

After a delightful brunch at Fork D World, we proceeded to our next destination for our caffeine fix...Beam @ Bandar Sri Damansara. 

 

BEAM (abbreviation for Bean Expedition at Manufactory), opened a little over a year ago, is located in an industrial area that's a bit off the beaten track. 

 

The surroundings isn't a pretty sight (with many unflattering car repair shops) but push through the doors and you'll be greeted with the feel of spaciousness (with high ceilings and seatings not cramped together) and the warmth of the place illuminated by the many hanging light bulbs.

 

The menu is rather limited to basically paninis, salads, cakes and nyonya kuih....and coffee, of course.  Although we already had our fill at our last venue, I just had to order one of the paninis to try since they're recommended by many blogs.  We had the Beef Bacon Panini @ RM18 served with a side of potato salad and some leafy greens.  The panini was nice and toasty but the gooey cheese was a bit much (even for my friends who love lots of cheese).  I think I enjoyed the side salad more than the panini.

Besides cakes, Beam also offers a small selection of nyonya kuih which you can clearly see and pick from the counter.  All goes well with a good cup (or glass) of coffee!

This was the Pulut Tekan (aka Pulut Tai-Tai) @ RM2.20 served with kaya.  This is a traditional nyonya kuih of steamed blue glutinous rice which get its colour from the blue pea flower aka bunga telang.  We enjoyed this as the glutinous rice was sufficiently soft and the homemade kaya was not overly sweet (but I wouldn't mind a bit more kaya on the plate though).

Another nyonya kuih you can find here is the kuih angku.  This is the Purple Sweet Potato and Orange Sweet Potato Angku (with mashed mung or green bean filling) @ RM1.50 each.  I did like that the skin (made from a combination of glutinous rice flour and sweet potato) was silky thin and sticky but the filling turned out crumbly and a bit dry (not the smooth paste I'm used to).  This one certainly looked better than it tasted.

 

When at Beam, a 'must order' is their signature cake, When Tea Meets Coffee @ RM8.50, which is actually a jasmine tea infused cake served with a shot of coffee caramel.  This miniature cake was incredibly light and spongy and I think it went well with the coffee caramel (poured over it) that tasted more bitter than sweet but some in our group preferred the cake on its own...they didn't want the tea to meet the coffee, in other words! ;D  Either way, it's a good cake, not sweet.....and mighty pretty too.

Looking at how this cake was described, it tempted me to order a slice of the It's Real Banana Cake @ RM3.90.  There was an intense banana flavour in the cake and I was more than happy with the texture and flavour...and it stayed true to its name....there was a layer of real (and ripe) chunks of bananas!  Definitely could eat a few more pieces of this :)

 

But the main reason why everyone flock to this place is for their speciality....and that's their coffee.  I guess their food will 'always be the bridesmaid but never the bride'! :D  These were the coffees we had:
 

Beam Signature Ice Coffee @ RM10.50

(their all time best seller)

 

The Bee Ice Coffee @ RM13

(just as popular...a mixture of espresso, honey and milk)

 

Hazelnut Mocha (Cold) @ RM15

 

Hazelnut Latte (Cold) @ RM15

(my favourite)

 

Caramel Macchiato (Cold) @ RM15

Though I like to drink coffee and have drank endless cups, I'm no coffee connoisseur...so, for me, there's just two types of coffee....coffee that I like and coffee that I don't! ;D  Most of the coffees here I did like...except maybe the Caramel Macchiato.

My Personal Opinion

The cafe's atmosphere will be liked by many, I'm sure.  It's a nice place to chill and hang out with friends over a cup of coffee. 

 

The coffees may be the star attraction here but making a stand is their 'When Tea Meets Coffee' and 'It's Real Banana' cakes, which are a wonderful accompaniment to the coffees, to round up a gratifying caffeine experience.

Beam (Roastery Café)
No 25 Jalan Gangsa SD5/3B
Bandar Sri Damansara
52200 Kuala Lumpur
Tel: 03-6261 8255