I was invited to Wave 3 by the owner, Paul, to sample the menu and visited with my two (3-year-old) daughters last Friday. Our time there talking with Paul and Jasper, the barista, and tasting the drinks and chocolates blew away my expectations. (I'm already planning out when I can bring my sister and husband!)
THE STORY: Paul created Wave 3 with his daughter to showcase extraordinary craftsmanship and delicious, affordable luxury. Named for the third-wave coffee movement, the owners prioritize serving you the highest quality you can get. Verve Coffee Roasters supplies the coffee beans and the chocolates are from Dandelion Chocolate. These are both small companies in San Fransisco (where Paul's daughter lives) that were chosen for how they honor the beans they source, the workers who farm them, and the epitome of what coffee and cacao beans can be.
THE FOOD: The chocolate truffles are lovely little morsels. I got to try the banana cream, earl gray, lavender, some spicy option, and one other flavor (caramel or hazelnut, I think). I usually don't like banana, earl grey or lavender flavors, and it really says something that I genuinely enjoyed each bite. There was no artificial banana flavor, no overpowering bergamot - the flavors of the chocolates were so well balanced. With each one, the main flavor hit the palate a second after biting in, then melted into that sumptuous, creamy mouthfeel. Only after moving the morsel in my mouth for a moment, almost right before I swallowed, did the cacao come in.
In the chocolate truffles, you'll find single-origin cacao, zero preservatives, and no artificial additives. (The chocolate has a shelf life, people. This is the real deal.) Chocolate tasting boxes and bars are available if you want to spoil a friend with a special present!
THE DRINKS: Foregoing coffee for the day, I got to try a few tea options from Kusmi Tea. I had the rose green tea, jasmine green tea, and a matcha latte with rose syrup. The teas were wonderful and left a light, cozy floral aftertaste on my tongue for at least half an hour. (Not sure if this is usual, but I loved it! It was like a memory of our visit.) The rose matcha latte was also excellent.
I got to talk with Jasper for a good while. The drinks at Wave 3 are in good hands - this man really knows his craft. We shared coffee and tea book recommendations and talked about his ideas for future seasonal specialty drinks. You want to have a coffee nerd making your espresso - it's even better when they're unpretentious - and, let's just say, we talked about the physics of pourover coffee, both of us smiling, while my kids made a (small) mess at the table. That might just say it all.
HANDCRAFTED: All syrups are crafted in-house! With real rose petals, y'all. Everything here is organic, too. You're not going to find anything fake in this shop. (Next time, I want to try whatever they use their saffron syrup for!)
LOGISTICS: Parking is free, but not very plentiful, especially during the lunch rush. There is a single-stall bathroom in the back. Children are very welcome! Wifi is available, I believe - I saw a woman taking a zoom call during our visit. It's a smaller, intimate shop (purposefully NOT like Starbucks) with a beautiful and bright atmosphere. More seating is coming soon, and the grand opening is set for May 2023!
COST: A quick note about price - there are going to be a couple more dollars on the bill at Wave 3 than if you were to get a Starbucks version of the same items. At Wave 3, you're getting all organic, handcrafted, artisanal options, but it's still affordable for an afternoon pick-me-up, evening date, or special morning drink. Just keep in mind that the extra $ is because you're getting the highest quality.
SUMMARY: Wave 3 is run by people who love coffee, chocolate, and tea in their most sublime forms. They love sharing these small masterpieces with others and supporting the artisans who create them. I highly recommend you visit. You will not be disappointed. read more