Nestled amidst a number of concrete towers and overlooking Sat Masjid Road, Bread & Beyond is a café selling an expansive collection of pastries and sweets.
Since it opened last year, Bread & Beyond knows just a modest crowd, and given its great food and atmosphere, deserves plenty more. It also offers caffeinated beverages from North End, which need no introduction. There are two branches: one in Banani (UAE Market, Kemal Ataturk Road) and another in Dhanmondi (House 56, Road 3/A), the latter being my number one destination since Dhaka has seen a drop in temperature.
Bread & Beyond is not your average café, though this will not seem obvious at first sight. The sign itself is not conspicuous, making it an easy miss as it sits shyly peeking on to the main road. I had my doubts about this place at first, but took a chance and was very pleased with what I discovered.
The interior is softly illuminated with the glow of yellowish orange lighting, the decor matched in the like. The usual veil of anonymity found so often at other coffee shops is substituted with a cosier, more inviting ambience, making it an ideal spot for a small group of friends. Also, since Bread & Beyond opens in the early hours (around 8am), it is a great place to unwind after a jog or a bike ride.
For Bread & Beyond, what is behind the glass display is what is being offered, eliminating the need to cruise through a menu. Out of all the items they have on offer, my favourite is the choco nut brittle. Rich, luscious, and with just enough nut in every bite, these little pieces of heaven will leave you wanting more. One cup contains four generous pieces of brittle, and given that it costs only Tk 69. Move over chocolate bars, and make way for this cocoa goodness! For dark chocolate lovers out there, wash this treat down with a bitter espresso dupio (at Tk 155) from North End, and you're set for your day ahead.
Another treasure is their delectable chocolate mousse. Light and airy, this mousse puts ones sold at higher end coffee shops to shame. I remember being hooked after my first spoonful, and my willpower was put to the test – surely I shouldn't finish their entire batch! For those of you preferring less chocolate and more fruit, they also offer a delicious strawberry mousse counterpart – both these items are priced at Tk 92.
If sickeningly sweet is not your cup of tea (or coffee), try the cheesecake cup. A variation of your traditional cheesecake, the cream cheese sits upon a soft biscuit base. A small dollop of blueberry jam perches on top.
But there are items that aren't so great, such as the vegetable quiche. Their chicken and cheese sandwich is satisfactory, at a reasonable price. They also sell picnic sandwiches, tarts, cupcakes and a large variety of scrumptious cakes available on display.
Finally, we come to the staff. As a testament of their friendliness, their owner had once overheard my friend giving positive reviews about their Banani outlet. Moments later, my friend was gifted a gorgeous vanilla cake on the house! While I'm not saying all of you should expect free goodies, I am saying that their amiable staff definitely adds to Bread & Beyond's many virtues.
The only problem I can recall is that it's not suitable for lone coffee shop frequenters or large crowds, since their interior is far too small to accommodate many people or allow one to soak in solitude.
Pleasant atmosphere: check. Good coffee: check. Delicious sweets: check. What are you waiting for? Give Bread & Beyond a go.