After visiting Toronto's board game hot spot Snakes and Lattes four years ago, Brady and Shiva Risner decided to roll the dice by opening a similar spot in Ohio City in June with their friend Michael Holmes. With a game library of more than 1,000 titles, including favorites such as Scrabble and Settler's of Catan, and a menu of house-made sandwiches, appetizers, smoothies and craft beer, it's a geek's paradise. The $5 cover lets you dip into the community chest for as many games as you'd like. "We want people to get their money's worth," Brady says. "So we'll teach them and walk them through them." The couple suggests a few game and grub options for us.
For the Yoga Nut
Play this: Your Tsuro token follows the twisting lines created by the cards you place on the board. As the board fills up, players' lines connect. If two tokens collide, both players are out. "It's about finding your path and balancing strategy versus chance," Brady says.
Eat this: The vegan Marvin Gardens sandwich ($9) with avocado, cucumber, tomato, greens and roasted garlic or sun-dried tomato creamy cashew spread.
For the Kid at Heart
Play this: Hammer faux ice cubes tightly wedged together without bringing down the whole thing — and dropping the little figure (a little red man or a polar bear depending on the version) into Don't Break the Ice's frozen depths. "It's silly and whimsical," Brady says. "You're just smashing ice with a hammer."
Eat this: The classy jam ($6) with Muenster cheese and raspberry jam on rustic Italian bread.
For the Theater Crowd
Play this; In Sheriff of Nottingham, players inhabit the roles of merchants bringing accepted or illicit goods into the city under the sheriff's watchful eye. "You all take turns being the sheriff," Brady says. Root out your opponents' contraband while striving to make the most money at the end of the game.
Eat this: The buff chick dip ($8), made with chicken and cheddar and served with a French baguette for dipping.
For the '80s Child
Play this: Shop until everyone else totally drops in Mall Madness by making it out of the mall with six purchases — using credit cards or cash — from stores such as an electronics store that sells tape decks. "It's so fun to laugh at the things you were so into when you were younger," Shiva says.
Eat this: The Club Awesome sandwich ($7) with sliced turkey, bacon, tomato, greens and mayonnaise on two slices of bread.
