Waving deliciousness

Chicken soft tacos

Food: Flavourful
Drinks: Good
Ambiance: Spacious
Service: Enthusiastic
Cost: Value for money
Verdict: 2/4

Ever since they launched their specialty coffee in 2016, we have enjoyed Bengaluru-based Third Wave Coffee's Vienna blend. In fact, dark chocolate, caramel and walnuts - this combination from their stable has become part of our morning coffee ritual. They opened cafés across India - last month, Mumbai got its first outlet in Lokhandwala and so, we decided to make a work-from-café day out of it.

Raspberry tea cake

Spread across two floors of a building complex, the minimal design of grey and brown brick walls with a neon sign that reads ‘Good Coffee Starts Here', is inviting. The space is lit with white lanterns, and walls have LED frames showcasing the coffee process and canvas paintings depicting coffee moods. The ground level has a compact seating and an ordering kiosk, while the level above has cozy nooks to find some quiet to read a book, have a conversation or to wrap up a deadline.

Smoked chipotle paneer sandwich

We begin with a chicken pepperoni and egg bagel (Rs 276) which is too dry for our liking, and the egg is overcooked. The chicken soft tacos (Rs 261) make for a filling meal option, with fresh salad and a drizzle of chipotle sauce. The best dish is the smoked chipotle paneer sandwich (Rs 271) that gets our attention, beginning with the bread. The sandwich is juicy and the cottage cheese is tender. For drinks, we order a cold fashioned (Rs 271), which is mixed with orange and jaggery. It is too sweet, and we need to abandon it mid-way. The iced sea salt mocha (Rs 242) is unique, and we savour it to the last sip. We pair a hot Americano with the lemon raspberry tea cake (Rs 161), a rendition of the good old slice cake with a generous ribbon of raspberry sauce.

Iced sea salt mocha

On our subsequent visits, we have tried the seasonal strawberry smoothie (Rs 290) that has a sweet hint of banana and the orange zest mocha (Rs 240). The menu is a refreshing approach when compared to other coffee shop menus that, over time, have an underwhelming quality at a high cost.

The interiors announce ‘Good Coffee Starts Here'

What we also love about the café is the cheerful staff that gives us a warm welcome when we enter, and are open to conduct an in-depth coffee tasting on request. We are privy to a pour-over coffee tasting, and so we try the Karadykan estate from Chikmagalur in Karnataka. A medium roast coffee, it is a mild pour with notes of berries. Ever since that first visit, it has now become our go-to café, thanks to its cold brews, interesting fare, and welcoming staff to round off the experience with a smile.

At: Ground floor, GreenVille CHS, opposite Samarth Vaibhav, Lokhandwala Complex.
Time: 8 am to 1 am

4/4 Exceptional, 3/4 Excellent, 2/4 very Good, 1/4 Good, 0.5/4 Average. Third Wave Coffee didn't know we were there. The Guide reviews anonymously and pays for meals