The Rainier Bistro offers a diverse menu of specialty foods and coffees and a relaxing place for residents and guests to socialize.
One of the recent additions to the Des Moines Terrace renovations completed last year is the the Rainier Bistro, which offers high-quality, specialty foods, drinks and snacks at an affordable price in the newly remodeled lobby.
In addition to an everyday menu, the bistro keeps things fresh with a rotating menu that features various hot and cold entrées and a soup of the day and week. Some of the most popular items are the flavoured coffees, such as French vanilla and mocha as well as the weekly entrées and salads. Also on the menu are pastries, sandwiches, chips, soups, fruit, parfaits and a variety of cold beverages.
The Rainier Bistro was created to offer more choices for residents and add value to the quality of life on campus.
Des Moines Executive Director Alex Candalla said, “We really wanted to provide something different for our residents on the Des Moines campus, and while it does not replace our existing meal programs, the bistro provides our residents another set of options in a new space. Without it, the dining room was the only venue we had where residents and family members or guests could dine.”
It’s not uncommon in retirement communities to see a lobby with nothing but a few pieces of furniture. At Wesley Homes Des Moines, you can still find many comfortable places to sit and read the paper; now they have a brighter, more inviting common space where they can get gourmet coffee and socialize with guests, friends, family and staff.
“It’s been a big success among residents and staff. Now people can take the time to grab a cup of coffee together, sit in the lounge and chat without having to go off campus. Our residents are really enjoying it,” said Assistant Director of Culinary Services Kevin Sagastume.
A continuing goal for the Des Moines campus has been to create additional programs for residents to choose from, and the Rainier Bistro provides that additional choice and freedom.
Plans for the future may include new menu items, extended hours and payment options. The bistro is open to residents, staff and visitors Monday through Saturday from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Come try it out!
This little cafe is a great addition to Wesley Homes! In the past, a person could get coffee or yogurt in the Gardens basement or a meal in the dining room if a reservation were made ahead of time, but my sister and I often wished there were a coffee shop or small cafe where we could get a simple lunch. Now we have it! It also gives residents a place to take friends out for a snack or coffee without having to prepare it in their own kitchens.
Extending the hours is a good idea, when the time is right. Can’t wait to try it out next time I’m in the area. Good job, Wesley Homes!
Thank you for your comment Mary! Please come by and try it out, we would look forward to your visit!
As a Gardens resident, I only get into the Terrace building now and then. I doubt I will be using this service anytime soon. I don’t think it was open any of the times of my more recent visits, anyway. I’m concerned about future plans for meal services; we have heard that there won’t be the assigned seating currently used. This seems unfortunate. This feature is one major source of new residents getting acquainted with their fellow residents. It seems likely that anyone not overtly friendly will be much less likely to become a participating member of the community.
Thank you Charlene for your comments and questions. The new Bistro hours are currently 8:00 AM to 2:00 PM Monday through Saturday. Expanded hours continue to be considered as this additional dining option is developed.
Dining in both the Gardens and Terrace dining rooms will be offering residents more choice. Both open seated dining AND assigned seating options will soon be available for the dinner meal. Open seating has been the standard in both the Gardens and Terrace for the past year for breakfast and lunch. We invite you to join Wesley Residents and Staff at the monthly Towne Meeting (4th Tuesday of each month) to hear more information or to present your ideas.
Thank you again for taking the time to share your thoughts.