Beam Cafe - Ultimate Omnoms

The North Shore cafe game sure is powering strong. These past few years has seen Milford open iconic cafes like Little King, Bread & Butter Cafe, and Mellow – changing the ageing face of the area. Backed by Milford Beach with ample parking at Milford Mall, it’s becoming a more convincing brunch destination than neighbouring Takapuna. Having to travel across Auckland to teach normally, I love a good excuse to stay local for weekends.

Beam Cafe caught my eye because of the Chinese fusion brunch menu. Think black sesame smoothie, eggs bene on spring onion pancakes and the egg waffle recognised from Hong Kong street food.

Devoted coffee drinkers can rest knowing Coffee Supreme is on the menu. By the number of people just coming in for takeaway coffee, it seems like you are in safe hands.

Throw “less is more” out the window, Beam Cafe is all about giving you a visual spectacle. On my french toast, there was every type of fruit imaginable on the plate. I could count about 7 different fruits, all prepared into fork sized chunks. Lashings of candy floss, an upside down ice cream and maple syrup to pour as you please, it is all about excess and choice.

The pannacotta muesli was equally impressive with additions of freeze dried fruit and coconut flakes to add different textures.

Taste wise, it tastes how it looks. Delicious, though nothing more surprising than the spectacle already on the plate. I would be interested to see how the savoury dishes compare, especially after spying fried chicken chicken on spring onion pancakes!

The bright interior and friendly staff all add to make the experience special. Even though I could see they were tired, they made extra effort to make sure people were comfortable. As expected, it gets busy around brunch time so allow plenty of time in case there is a wait for tables.

At this rate, Beam Cafe is looking to be one of North Shore’s most popular brunch spots in 2018.