When ol’ man winter moves into the Arkansas Ozarks, families can still find fun at their favorite winter mountaintop spa resort hotel, the 1886 Crescent Hotel & Spa. Why? Two great reasons: the return of ice skating; and great food served family-style, something called ~La Cena.
Ice Skating – The Crescent Hotel proudly announces that on Thursday, January 7 comes the return of one of the most popular activities in which this Historic Hotel of America has ever ventured: an outdoor skating rink with natural ice. “We create lifetime memories,” said Jack Moyer, hotel executive vice president and general manager, “and that is the reason why our hotel decided to add a ‘frozen pond’ in our Fountain Garden.” The rink and curling lane will be open, weather permitting, Thursday through Monday 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. as well as some extended hours on Saturdays. “We have also created a festive environment adjacent to the rink,” Moyer added, “with a nightly fire pit as well as tables and chairs where the family, when off the ice, can gather and perhaps enjoy a hot cup of cocoa and other beverages from our refreshment stand.” Both ice skating and curling (the Olympic sport of gliding “stones” from one end to the other, much like “frozen shuffleboard”) will take place during the open hours. Ice skates in a wide range of adult and children sizes are available for rent.
~La Cena – And to give the family plenty of energy to glide across the ice skating rink comes ~La Cena (CHEE-nah). This new dining concept is in keeping with the Italian tradition of the whole family gathering around the dinner table each evening for a sumptuous dinner and is now being served in the Crescent’s Crystal Dining Room Restaurant. The hotel’s culinary team creates old-style Italian dishes, served in generous portions “family-style” so everyone at the table can “have a taste”. And taste they will. Shareable family entrees include: Spaghetti and Meatballs, Veggie Meatless Spaghetti, Classic Lasagna, Veggie Lasagna, Classic Chicken Alfredo, Chicken Pesto Alfredo, Lobster Shells and Cheese, Cioppino (a seafood stew), Chicken Carbornara-ish, and Mushroom Ravioli al Fresco. If perhaps a pizza sounds perfect, pizza made famous upstairs in the hotel’s SkyBar Gourmet Pizza is also available downstairs at ~La Cena. Menu varieties include Smokey BBQ Chicken, Carnivore, Herbivore, Bella Supreme, and Mediterranean. ~La Cena is affordable and will fill the entire family with food and fond memories. ~La Cena is being served Thursday through Monday evenings from 5 o’clock to 9 o’clock. “To-Go” packaging is also available.
Locals’ Night and other special offers – Every winter Monday at both ~La Cena and the Crescent Hotel’s ice rink is “Locals’ Night”. At ~La Cena, all kids 12 and under on those nights eat free with one complimentary children’s meal with a paid adult entrée. For Carroll County residents on those same Monday nights, the skating rink offers free skating. Another winter offer is that at ~La Cena, every Thursday through Monday night from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., with every entrée purchased a complimentary ice skating session will be given.