Casino beat

Foxwoods rolls out its rink, drink & dining specials for the holiday season

Foxwoods Resort Casino held a preview of its holiday and winter decorations and activities this week, spotlighting the much-decorated Cedars Steak & Oysters eatery and its outdoor skating rink and adjacent heated igloos and firepits.

Cedars has been decked out in bulbs and ornaments for a few weeks, which help to reflect the warmth of the holiday season as long as you can afford the restaurant's tasty treats that start with some special cocktails and move on to hearty entrees (beef filet, for instance) before concluding with colorful dessert items.

The preview for Instagram-feeding influencers included visits by Santa Claus and that mischievous green creature known as The Grinch. At least one of them will be seen at the Foxwoods Christmas Tree Lighting Saturday at 7 p.m.

The Grinch entertains at preview event.

Cocktail lovers will have a few new (delicious) choices at Cedars and the relocated and recently reopened Golden Dragon nearby, according to Foxwoods Beverage Director Brandon Sweet and Assistant Manager Anthony DeSerio.

The blue Snowflake Martini was a sight with Blue Curacao, a lush coconut-crunch rim, Tito's vodka and pineapple juice. The Very Berry Ornamentini, a sweet mix of vodka, Cointreau and cranberry, cherry and apple juices, comes in two plastic ornaments that are mixed in front of you. (DeSerio, a mixologist who has earned the nickname Dr. Booze, told us he borrowed the idea from college parties, where liquid ornaments are fetched from Christmas trees to pour.) 

A third cocktail for holiday-minded patrons is the Gingerbread Martini, which is made of Vanilla Rum, Domaine de Canton ginger liqueur, simple syrup and whipped cream (more of a dessert than starter, we'd say).

The beverage managers said the drink tweaks at Golden Dragon include a pineapple tiki drink, a cognac mai tai and shareable drinks such as the Dragon Bowl.

The new location of Golden Dragon at Foxwoods.

The Cedars food was very good, especially the Lobster Avocado Tower with Grapefruit sections and a Honey Pineapple Dressing. The beef filet (Santa's Sleigh Steak) was also good, in a "beuree rouge" reduction that didn't add as much as, say, a Bordelaise sauce. Then there was Rudolph's Foraged Soup, a Forage Mushroom Duxelle with Roasted Chestnuts (great for mushroom lovers). And the Christmas Duck Salad was light and lovely.

FUN ON THE TERRACE

Later, visitors previewed the (returning) igloos on the back lawn (Winter Terrace) of the Fox Tower, which will open this weekend and are for rent from $100-$150 for two-hour sessions. The igloos (heated and with blankets on each chair) come in several themes, including Star Wars, Aladdin and Paris, with seating for eight people at once and featuring food-and-beverage service.  (Reserve ahead.)

The rink was also due to open this early December weekend, as a crew was prepping it Thursday, but temps in the mid-50s are expected Saturday so the skating (about $7 to $22 for admission and rentals) is weather dependent.

The rink, igloos and fire pits are yet another attraction to peruse or use, depending on your level of spending. And like the other holiday decorations and permanent displays and attractions (Monza racing, VR ride, etc.), they make for interesting non-gambling choices amid a vast, walkable resort.

Also coming up: The 12 Bars of Christmas at several Foxwoods venues Dec. 8, Cedars Boozy Brunch hosted by The Grinch Dec. 18 at noon, Breakfast with Santa Dec. 3, 10 and 17 and Kids/Teen Week Dec. 26-28.

The Lobster-Avocado Tower at Cedar's. 

The Snowflake Martini, left, and another tasty, sugar-rimmed holiday cocktail at Cedar's.

A light and tasty salad with duck confit, spiced almonds and pomegranate molasses.

Below, a Chocolate Christmas Tree dessert.

   A work crew preps the Foxwoods rink Thursday for another winter season.

An igloo, with the Grand Pequot in the background, and holiday lights. Below, the Aladdin-themed igloo with Christmas tree in the background.

Fire pits on a chilly Thursday evening, above and below.