BEAM @ Bandar Sri Damansara : Specialty Bean and Roastery

BEAM (abbreviation of Bean Expedition At Manufactory) at Bandar Sri Damansara gives us a reason to drive all the way to this area. If not because of BEAM, we may not venture into Bandar Sri Damasara, at least, “SO FAR” can be the excuse.

Situated along Jalan Gangsa, the existence of BEAM seems out of place, as the whole area is stretched out with automobile repair shops, furniture supply shops, etc., while BEAM stands alone as a cafe specializes in coffee. Pretty similar to the industrial area in Bandar Sunway that houses famous Garage 51, Underground Societe and After Black Cafe. But this doesn’t matter, as good coffee drives the crowd here.

It is too hard to recognize BEAM just as a cafe, because they also supplies and roasts green beans in bulk and small quantity, provides coffee cupping class. Service is friendly here, the enthusiastic team well-versed in coffee knowledge is always there to share with you everything about coffee.

To have a better merge with many of the garage stores nearby, BEAM hence highlights industrial-style design with modern mix – polished concrete floorings, raw exposed bricks, black wire mesh railing staircase, high ceilings, hanging light bulbs, wooden chairs with steel legs, wire wall racks. Thoughtfully constructed but not overly decorated, more to clever use of space to create an impressive environment.

BEAM has a corner selling apparatus for home coffee brewing, nothing special. The noteworthy side goes to the section beside the brew bar and coffee counter, where there is a row of green beans from different countries and regions on sold. One can purchase by weight according to their liking, and have your beans roasted on spot.

The cafe opens from 11AM through 8PM, easily filled up by noon and stays packed especially on weekends. Trace down East meets West selections on BEAM menu, which focuses on specialty coffee, salad, panini, cakes, desserts, sandwiches and Nyonya kueh. Looking for spaghetti, big breakfast, egg benedict or burgers? No, not here.

Cappuccino RM11.50

Having partner armed with traditional coffee manufacturer background , who also observes the transition of this major drink over the decades, kopitiam coffee is definitely not forgotten at BEAM, even though thirdwave coffee scene is getting stronger in Malaysia. Hence, apart from your usual cup of latte, cappuccino, long black, BEAM also has Kopi O and Kopi on their Proud of Malaysia menu.

Iced Drip Coffee RM9

Handcrafted Specialty Coffee brewed using aeropress, chemex, V60, syphon is available too. Ice Drip Coffee/ Dutch Coffee packed with flavours of Congo Special, Red Cherry Yirgacheffe or Ethopia Konga beans is also their signature drinks. Non-coffee drinkers can also check out green tea latte, fresh juices, tea, smoothies, and soft drink.

Ang Ku RM1.50

Interestingly, nostalgia drifts in at BEAM with Nyonya kuih such as Ang Ku, Pulut Tekan with Kaya, Kuih Lapis Ubi Manis, Ma Lai Gou, Karipap lined up at the counter. Ang Mo Coffee x local sweet delights once in a while is not too bad huh? No worries if you prefered Ang Mo kuih, as their dessert counter is brimming with beautiful cake selections – Real Banana Cake, Santiago Cake, Blueberry Cheese Tart, Matcha Cheese Cake, Chocolate Cheese Cake, Peanut Butter Chocolate Cake, etc.

Blueberry Cheese Tart RM10

No chance to try out their all-time-favourite When Tea Meets Coffee during our visit, as we were told they couldn’t get quality tea they wish to have in the mean time. So we had Bluberry Cheese Tart, an eys-pleasing dessert with crumbly base, filled with cream cheese and towered up with few layers of fresh blueberries.

Comments: BEAM is a good place to have coffee hang out with friends, but will be too noisy for those who wish to have a quiet spot to do their work, which happened to us. Specialty coffee is recommended.

Photography: Summerkid
Write Up: Summergirl

Address:
BEAM Specialty Bean and Roastery
No. 25, Jalan Gangsa SD5/3B,
Bandar Sri Damansara,
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Contact: 03 – 6261 8255
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/beam
Business Hours: 11AM – 8PM (Closed on Tuesdays)