BEAM @ Bandar Sri Damansara, Kepong

The name of a cafe is quite important if you want your patrons to recall it easily.

For me, this cafe aptly named “Beam” is synonymously linked with the catchphrase of “Beam me up, Scotty” from the Star Trek. It comes from the command Captain Kirk gives his chief engineer, Montgomery “Scotty” Scott, when he needs to be transported back to the Starship.

It also helps if you have a catchy name as BEAM is located at unconventional place for a cafe. Right smack at outskirt of KL and nestled among light industrial neighbourhood at Bandar Sri Damansara, Kepong.

BEAM (abbreviation for Bean Expedition at Manufactory) is run by a team with years of experience in coffee. BEAM not only a cafe that serves food and beverages but also imports and sells a good variety of both raw and roasted coffee beans. BEAM also hosts coffee cupping class, workshops and training sessions from time to time

 

BEAM’s huge space which includes a mezzanine floor boasts a mixture of industrial and urban chic interior. Polished concrete flooring and walls, exposed brick walls, wooden and metal furniture, artisanal metal fittings and pipes, hanging light bulbs plus the soft music at the background, this is indeed a pleasant site for visitors to hang out and have some coffee.

 

The elegant coffee-making equipment.

 

Shelves that stocked with an array of apparatus for home coffee brewing.

 

A box was given to us to place our bags and other belongings, a little gesture that earn a lot of brownie points. Service was friendly and attentive throughout our meal.

 

Kopi-O (RM5.50)

Hubby’s all time favourite here for its boldness in flavour.

With a strong coffee production background (from Caroma Cafe Food, a renowned coffee producer established in 1976), their coffee selections are extensive and interesting which included the common espresso-based beverages,  special hand-brewed coffee with choices of beans from different countries and regions as well as Malaysian-style Kopi and Kopi-O. 

BEAM Nasi Lemak

The new revamped menu with addition of breakfast choices such as Big Breakfast, Cheesy Bolognese Egg Toast and French Toast, it’s definitely a rather valid reason for a non-coffee drinker like me to pay BEAM a visit. They also offers salads, panini, sandwiches, salad, cakes and local kuih.

 

A decent plate of Nasi Lemak with a few elements that surprised me such as the slightly salty tomato wedges and the chili paste with raw onions, why I call it chili paste because it lack of the sambal’s distinctive “belacan” flavour. The usual condiments of crunchy anchovies, tender Ayam Rendang, hard boiled egg and cucumber slices complement the  rice well. 

 

Egg Mayo Cheese Melt Panini

The Panini with nicely toasted outer sandwiched a generous filling of egg mayo, sliced tomatoes and melted cheese. Served along with a small bowl of refreshing salad.

 

Chicken Bolognese

No prize for guessing whose food is this. A rather mediocre pasta, nothing really to shout about.

 

They also offer free coffee ground with a note on how to use it, thumbs up for the thoughtful gesture!

 

Verdict:  A place worth explore for coffee lovers with wide selection of coffees, coffee beans and coffee brewing apparatus. You may also be interested to have a good ‘coffee chat’ with the knowledgeable staffs. Food was just average though.