Staring at the dull brick facade and foggy windows, the Glenview Pointe Shopping Center didn’t seem like the best location for a cafe hangout. But as the wind grew more severe and numbed our faces, we quickly decided to pick an option.
Against the tan roofs of miscellaneous shops and restaurants, one sign caught our attention. A solid dark green that contrasted with the snowy winter scene around us, the geometric “Bamboo” storefront seemed lively and inviting. As we entered the cafe, a rush of warmth and the smell of sugar enveloped us.
Located on Lime Kiln Lane, Bamboo Coffee & Donuts offers many unique drinks and includes a wide range of pastries, many of which are gluten-free. The interior has a soft green and neutral color palette, minimalist furniture and light wood floors, all of which give the cafe a trendy yet comfy atmosphere.
The line wasn’t long, and soon it was our turn to order. We decided on four donuts – pistachio, red velvet, mapleberry and cruller ($2 each). My friend decided to get a peach mango smoothie ($6), but I opted for a warmer drink. Scanning the menu, the unusual mushroom latte ($6) intrigued me. A barista informed me that the mushroom latte was a blend of chai spices and milk, replacing coffee with mushroom powder, which has a lower caffeine content. I decided to give this unique drink a try.
Our donuts were ready immediately, and our drinks came out only a couple of minutes later. We sat down at a cozy pastel green table by the window.
The pistachio donut was crunchy on the outside and had a chewy texture on the inside, almost like a mochi donut. The chewy interior and pistachio topping complimented each other perfectly. However, my friend thought that the icing was slightly too sugary.
The red velvet donut was drier than the pistachio, but the glaze and dollop of frosting helped enhance the rich chocolatey flavor.
Our favorite donut that we tried was the mapleberry donut. It contained a generous amount of blueberries, which enhanced the sweetness. The crunchy glazed exterior provided a nice contrast to the moist interior.
The cruller donut was soft, with a classic, subtle vanilla flavor.
My friend described the peach mango smoothie as cool and refreshing. He noted that the strong peach flavor overpowered the mango.
The mushroom latte had a delicious aroma of cinnamon and nutmeg, which was warm and comforting. The flavor was slightly earthy and bitter with not much sweetness, which helped balance the sugary donuts.
We enjoyed our experience at Bamboo Coffee & Donuts and would highly recommend this cafe to anyone who likes a wide range of flavors and a casual and welcoming atmosphere.
