I've made this cake many times for my GF family members. It is delicious!

It does have the cream/mascarpone filling but it's not melty. It's actually very cake like and I think you should treat it like any other cake with a cream filling.

Doesn't need a ice bed, IMO.

I think that leaving it in the refrigerator and taking it out after the meal is fine. You may not have any leftovers to put away!

so glad to hear that @czarinalex! I've made it but not for a few years and always for a seated dinner.

Oh yum. I've made other ice box cakes and just keep refrigerated till serving - no ice needed.

I would love this cake - mocha is my favorite, DH not so much. But I think a sub of Chambord would work just fine. Or Cointreau :-)

Chambord is such a lovely liqueur- I wouldn't kick Cointreau out of bed, either. It's been a very long time since my body has been able to process spirits. I sometimes indulge in a bit of Chardonnay.

Don't you all want to sing Happy Birthday anyway? So I'd keep in the fridge and bring it out after the main meal is done.