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Night Del: Skating, snacking magic

The Christmas ice rink at the Hotel Del has hot toddies and snacks. Worth the Del premium?

There's no getting around it: Night skating on the oceanfront in Coronado is magic. The rink, the screams, the laughs, the holiday music, the shushing of the skates, -and your hands around a mug of hot chocolate at the edge, surrounded by worried parents and giggling girlfriends.

http://sandiegoreader.com/users/photos/2012/dec/04/36388/

http://sandiegoreader.com/users/photos/2012/dec/04/36379/

So okay, it's a $4.50 hot chocolate. Coffee is the same price. But hey, this is the Coffee by the Sea shack at the Hotel Del (1500 Orange Avenue, Coronado, 619-435-6611).

http://sandiegoreader.com/users/photos/2012/dec/04/36380/

http://sandiegoreader.com/users/photos/2012/dec/04/36381/

Add a Hamilton and you're in really tempting territory: A "Winter Warmer" like the "Nutty Irishman" (Bailey's Irish Cream, Frangelico and coffee topped with whipped cream and a sprinkling of nutmeg) goes for $13.

Or couldn't you just warm your gullet with a cup of mulled wine. The Sugar and Spice is the Del's mulled (warmed) wine recipe with brandy and Stirrings ginger liqueur, also $13.

So no. No such thing as a cheap option really. Even domestic beer runs $7.75.

But this night? Prices, schmices! Ariel and Jessica,the two gals manning (womaning?) the little bar, are flying.

http://sandiegoreader.com/users/photos/2012/dec/04/36382/

Ariel and Jessica

"Most people want the hot chocolate," says Jessica, "or the Nutty Irishman."

http://sandiegoreader.com/users/photos/2012/dec/04/36383/

Look at it this way. Yes, renting skates alone will cost you $25 ($20 for kids), but actually turning up and just watching costs nada. The show is free. Feels like you're at someone's wedding. Someone's Victorian wedding. The merriment makes you forget that wicked world outside. It makes you think Charles Dickens. You come away feeling, well, uplifted, like Scrooge after his three ghosts have given him his attitude adjustment.

Easiest option: get a hot cocoa ($4.50), a hot cider ($4.50) and a couple of cookies ($3.75 for two), and the two of you head for the free theater: Spills and thrills under the December moon!

http://sandiegoreader.com/users/photos/2012/dec/04/36386/

Too much for Maria. It's been a long 4th birthday

It goes on till January 9th.

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Gonzo Report: Bob Long played piano for Tina Turner and Ray Charles

And he got the crowd shaking at InZane Brewery

There's no getting around it: Night skating on the oceanfront in Coronado is magic. The rink, the screams, the laughs, the holiday music, the shushing of the skates, -and your hands around a mug of hot chocolate at the edge, surrounded by worried parents and giggling girlfriends.

http://sandiegoreader.com/users/photos/2012/dec/04/36388/

http://sandiegoreader.com/users/photos/2012/dec/04/36379/

So okay, it's a $4.50 hot chocolate. Coffee is the same price. But hey, this is the Coffee by the Sea shack at the Hotel Del (1500 Orange Avenue, Coronado, 619-435-6611).

http://sandiegoreader.com/users/photos/2012/dec/04/36380/

http://sandiegoreader.com/users/photos/2012/dec/04/36381/

Add a Hamilton and you're in really tempting territory: A "Winter Warmer" like the "Nutty Irishman" (Bailey's Irish Cream, Frangelico and coffee topped with whipped cream and a sprinkling of nutmeg) goes for $13.

Or couldn't you just warm your gullet with a cup of mulled wine. The Sugar and Spice is the Del's mulled (warmed) wine recipe with brandy and Stirrings ginger liqueur, also $13.

So no. No such thing as a cheap option really. Even domestic beer runs $7.75.

But this night? Prices, schmices! Ariel and Jessica,the two gals manning (womaning?) the little bar, are flying.

http://sandiegoreader.com/users/photos/2012/dec/04/36382/

Ariel and Jessica

"Most people want the hot chocolate," says Jessica, "or the Nutty Irishman."

http://sandiegoreader.com/users/photos/2012/dec/04/36383/

Look at it this way. Yes, renting skates alone will cost you $25 ($20 for kids), but actually turning up and just watching costs nada. The show is free. Feels like you're at someone's wedding. Someone's Victorian wedding. The merriment makes you forget that wicked world outside. It makes you think Charles Dickens. You come away feeling, well, uplifted, like Scrooge after his three ghosts have given him his attitude adjustment.

Easiest option: get a hot cocoa ($4.50), a hot cider ($4.50) and a couple of cookies ($3.75 for two), and the two of you head for the free theater: Spills and thrills under the December moon!

http://sandiegoreader.com/users/photos/2012/dec/04/36386/

Too much for Maria. It's been a long 4th birthday

It goes on till January 9th.

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