Latest news with #Tandeski
Axios
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Axios
Rook Room opens Saturday with 700+ board games
The Rook Room, a board game café and lounge years in the making, officially opens its doors Saturday — and Axios got an early look during a media preview Wednesday. Why it matters: It's the only space of its kind in Des Moines, offering more than 700 unique board games to play alongside a full food and drinks menu. State of play: The new hangout is situated in the former downtown space of St. Kilda restaurant, which closed at that location late last year. What they're saying: Co-owner Tony Tandeski tells Axios he hopes the Rook Room becomes a neighborhood hub — a place where, like the 1980s TV show "Cheers," "everybody knows your name." There will be regular tournaments and game learning sessions, he said. The intrigue: Game donations are welcome, and many on the shelves are from local players. 🍽️ On the menu: A range of sandwiches and snacks, including an achiote lime chicken sandwich (mozzarella, pico de gallo and lime cream) and spicy pineapple skewers — a nod to Tandeski's favorite fruit. Specialty drinks include the Charisma Check (Jameson, pineapple juice, sour, caramel and vanilla) and the RG&T (Revelton mulberry gin, lavender syrup and tonic). If you go: Regular hours are 8am–midnight on Fridays and Saturdays and 8am–10pm on Sundays, Mondays and Thursdays.
Yahoo
18-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Board game cafe coming to downtown Des Moines this spring
DES MOINES, Iowa — Des Moines' first-ever board game cafe is set to open sometime this spring. Many Des Moines gamers know The Rook Room as a pop-up event at local businesses. Tony Tandeski and Annelise Tarnowski hosted a myriad of game nights over the last six years as they planned to open their own physical space. In December, they got one step closer to their vision of opening a game lounge and restaurant in downtown Des Moines when they leased the site of the former St. Kilda Cafe and Bakery. Iowa bill requiring parental consent for minors using tanning beds passed by House 'If you [told] me even a year ago that I would be standing here in a place like this, ready to open the doors to the general public, I would've told you you're crazy,' said Tandeski. 'We were enjoying the pop-up lifestyle, This was always the goal but it's kind of that thing that's way off in the distance and you don't know if it's going to come to fruition.' People can expect a restaurant, cafe, bar, events space, and community hub all in one. Tandeski and Tarnowski will have over 800 board games and puzzles, from the classics like Monopoly and Scrabble to newer games. Each game has stickers to indicate important information like how hard the game is to learn, how many players can play, etc. Tarnowski also said they will have flags for people to leave at their tables to indicate if they're open to socializing or if they want to be left alone. They are still working on the construction of the space, particularly in the space downstairs. It will also be fully accessible, with an elevator inside. In total, The Rook Room will have 6,000 square feet for gamers in Iowa to enjoy. However, people aren't obligated to play a game. Tandeski said people can stop by for coffee or food and stay for a few minutes, or they can stay for hours to play one or more games. 3 Iowa's Best Burger Contest finalists located in Central, South-Central Iowa Tarnowski said they're working with the owner and chef at Lachele's Fine Foods to finish their menu, and they will have an exciting twist on a classic. 'The most exciting thing is a dream that we had which is to make our own Hot Pockets. So, we'll have these pizza puffs with rotating flavors that are going to be so great, like the things you love about a hot pocket but with local ingredients,' she said. The construction of the downstairs section has delayed their original opening plan, however, The Rook Room is still projected to be open sometime this spring. Tandeski and Tarnowski say they plan to operate Thursdays through Tuesdays when they first open and there will be a cover at the entry for some nights. They also will be hiring soon. More information on The Rook Room can be found on their website. Mary Van Heukelom goes 'Above and Beyond' to help cancer survivors 2 injured in early morning Des Moines shooting Des Moines celebrates warm sunshine on St. Patrick's Day St. Patrick's Day celebrations take over Court Ave. in Des Moines Cotton-top tamarin infant at Blank Park Zoo has died Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
