Where to go after ice skating on Fountain Square:

        The ice rink, operated by the Cincinnati Recreation Commission, is a popular attraction during the winter. From today until Jan. 27, the rink will be open 3-9 p.m. Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Saturday and noon-6 p.m. Sunday.

        If you've ever taken kids skating, you know that they all think that a half hour of doing something outside in the cold means they deserve hot chocolate. Where do you go, if you haven't brought along a thermos?

        There's a little stand called Fountain on the Square that's open when the rink is, and the staff sells hot chocolate, hot dogs and other snacks.

        If you want to sit down and get warm, first choice is Kaffee Klatsch, a block away in the Mercantile Building. (That's across from the bus stops at Government Square on Fifth Street.) It has good coffee shop hot chocolate, whipped cream and all. It also serves steamers: hot steamed milk flavored with Italian syrups. On Saturday, it's open 9 a.m.-3 p.m.; Monday-Friday it's open until 5 p.m.

        Starbuck's, at Fourth and Vine, has better hours. It's open until 7 p.m. Sunday and weekdays and 8 p.m. Saturday. It has hot chocolate — and hot steamed cider. I tried to get some the other day and they talked me into a caramel cinnamon steamed cider with whipped cream. It tastes like apple pie a la mode.

        Bruegger's Bagels, across the street from Starbuck's is open until 5 p.m. Monday-Friday; 7 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday and 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday.

        There's also the Coffee Beanery in Tower Place Mall, with coffee drinks and hot chocolate, open until 8 p.m. weekdays and Saturday and 5 p.m. Sunday.

        Maybe you'd rather get everyone hot soup or have a bite to eat. Most convenient is Rockbottom Brewery, right on the square, open 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 4 p.m.-midnight Friday-Saturday and 4-10 p.m. Sunday. It's not the most kid-friendly place, as it's a brewery, but there are plenty of burgers and other hearty food kids like.

        Saturdays, maybe you'd rather go to Hathaway's for soup or burgers. It's an old-fashioned coffee shop in the Carew Tower Arcade, the entrance on Vine, catty-corner from Fountain Square. It's open until 4 p.m. weekdays and from 8 a.m.-3 p.m. on Saturday.

        Contact Polly Campbell by phone: 768-8376; fax: 768-8330; e-mail: pcampbell@enquirer.com.

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