Atlantans dreaming of a white winter may be delighted to find that some beloved aspects of New York City’s holiday offerings have been duplicated in the South this year. A focal point of these offerings is a brand-new ice skating rink at Piedmont Park.
Called the Rink at Park Tavern, this 3,200-foot ice rink is located in the restaurant’s Garden Tent at 500 10th St. N.E. in Midtown. Open Nov. 22 through Valentine’s Day, the rink will be open seven days a week with special 21-and-up sessions each night at 9. To add to the festive feel, Park Tavern will serve specialty drinks and desserts both rinkside and in the lodgelike restaurant.
“I took my kids ice skating at the St. Regis last year, and we had a great time. It made me think that a bigger, parkside rink in Midtown would really work,” said Paul Smith, owner of Park Tavern and the rink.
The Park Tavern rink is the third seasonal ice skating rink intown, joining the Astor Holiday Rink at the St. Regis Atlanta and the Centennial Olympic Park Ice Skating Rink, both of which have been open in previous years. However, the Park Tavern rink is one of the biggest, serving 150 people comfortably, while the Astor can handle 30 and Centennial Olympic holds 200. There is also an outdoor rink in Conyers, called Have an Ice Day, which can accommodate 100 people at a time.
“I was really excited to hear about the Piedmont Park rink,” said Tracy Woodward, 27, a pharmacy student at Mercer University. “Going ice skating always gets me in the holiday spirit, but since I live in Buckhead, it’s always a pain to drive down to Centennial and find parking down there. [The Park Tavern rink] will be much more convenient.”
Adding to the novelty, Park Tavern hired James Mullaney as a pastry chef to create a frozen hot chocolate recipe similar to that of Serendipity in New York City. The result is a sweet, rich concoction made with real chocolate, rather than cocoa powder. Made with an ice cream base and topped with fresh whipped cream and white chocolate shavings, Park Tavern’s Frozen Valhrona Hot Chocolate is said to have the flavor profile of hot chocolate with the consistency of a milkshake. For added flavor, those over 21 can request Tuaca or Kahlua drizzled on top.
“Our approach to this dish was unique, and the end result is a wonderful chocolate dessert that's frozen. Unexpected for the cold season, but a perfect complement to the Park Tavern menu,” Mullaney said. “Park Tavern’s guests are in for a treat.”
Traditional hot chocolate will also be available, along with hot chocolate stout brewed on the premises and a selection of Zamtinis, or themed martinis. These include the Cheek Warmer -- a mixture of Barcardi apple rum, Thatcher’s apple ginger spice, hot apple cider and cinnamon sprinkle, and the Drunk Girl Scout -- Absolut Vanil, peppermint schnapps and hot chocolate.
Also served will be seasonal desserts such as Molted Hot Chocolate Lava Cake with raspberry coulis and vanilla bean ice cream, and Crispy Apple Fritters with ice cream and whiskey caramel sauce. These come in two sizes: regular and triple, which is meant to be shared.
“I’ve seen pictures of the frozen hot chocolate and other desserts at Serendipity, and if these are anything like that, I definitely want to try them,” Woodward said. “It sounds like fun.”
Located in a heated tent with harvested rainwater used to make ice; Plexiglas sideboards, LED lighting and a state-of-the-art sound system; the Park Tavern rink offers brand-new Bauer skates for rent to ages 4 and up. Skating sessions at the rink last 31/2 hours and cost $10, plus $5 for skate rental. Skaters are strongly encouraged to buy tickets in advance online at www.xorbia.com/tickets/therink/, though Park Tavern will have a computer set up so impromptu skaters can purchase available tickets.
“We’re known as a patio restaurant but have never been able to fully utilize the outside areas until now,” Smith said. “This new family-friendly activity will really complement our operations, and we feel strongly that it will become a new Atlanta tradition.”
Indoor ice skating rinks
In addition to the seasonal, outdoor ice skating rinks, there are a number of permanent, indoor rinks across the metro area. These rinks are open year-round and used for everything from open skate to birthday parties and amateur hockey games. They may be less crowded than the open-air rinks, which are a novelty during the holiday season.
Atlanta Ice Forum. Duluth. www.iceforum.com.
Ice Forum at Town Center. Kennesaw. www.iceforum.com.
The Marietta Ice Center. Marietta. www.themicice.com.
SGAA Dual Arena Ice and Roller / Inline Skating Rink. Gwinnett. www.rinktime.com.
Seasonal outdoor ice skating rinks
The Rink at Park Tavern. Nov. 22-Feb. 14. $10 admission, $5 skate rental. $300 season pass. Park Tavern Garden Tent, 500 10th St. N.E., Atlanta. 404-249-0001, www.parktavern.com. Purchase tickets at www.xorbia.com/tickets/therink/.
Astor Holiday Rink. Nov. 24–Jan. 3. $30 per hour for adults, $18 per hour for children under 16. The St. Regis Atlanta, 88 W. Paces Ferry Road, Atlanta. 404-563-7951, www.stregisatlanta.com.
Centennial Olympic Park Ice Skating Rink. Through Jan. 30. $7 admission, $2 skate rental, select $6 college nights. Centennial Olympic Park North Lawn, Atlanta. 404-222-7275, www.centennialpark.com.
Have an Ice Day. Through Feb. 27. $7 admission, $2 skate rental, select free skate days. $79-$89 season pass. Olde Town Conyers Pavilion, 949 S. Main St., Conyers. 770-554-7506, www.icedays.com.
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