Restaurants take it outside
Enjoy the cool weather while you can with a number of Dubai restaurants that are opening up outdoor spaces this winter. Royal China in DIFC has opened a Chinese garden in the pretty spectacular environs of the Financial District, making a spot for anything from a pre-dinner drink on the couches to a full Shanghai-style meal at the tables (new dishes to try for the year of the goat include lobster with ginger and spring onions). Call 04-3545543. The Raffles, too, has opened its newly refurbished garden, featuring private cabanas serving Arabic dishes; find it on the third floor through Crossroads Bar. The 1,500 square metres of greenery are also available for events; call 04-3248888. Over at Reform Social & Grill, things are a little more relaxed for their new Saturday Royal Family Picnic, served on a tartan rug on the grass overlooking the lake at the Arabian Ranches spot from noon-5pm. You’ll get a wicker basket (minimum of two people sharing) with several options for the food and beverage packages, from Dh300. Dishes include a ploughman’s platter of cheeses, Scotch eggs, salads such as smoked trout, fennel and new potato, and a selection of baguette sandwiches. Desserts include scones, clotted cream and jam. Call 04-4542638.
Ray’s Grill open at Etihad Towers
Jumeirah’s Abu Dhabi hotel has a new contemporary steakhouse. Ray’s Grill cooks meats over a wood-flavoured charcoal grill up on the 63rd floor, overlooking the Corniche and Gulf (can you say Valentine’s date venue?) Meats range from USDA prime beef and Irish John Stone sirloin while from Australia there’s 1824 sirloin, Mulwarra rib-eye, and wagyu grade 9 fillet. It’s open daily for lunch (noon-3.30pm) and dinner (7-11.30pm). Call 02-8115666.
Ten local restaurants at Beach Canteen
For its second year at Kite Beach, the Dubai Food Festival initiative will have 10 home-grown restaurant pop ups serving food from shipping containers on the sand. The Canteen, free to enter and running the full duration of the Festival (February 6-28) is a way to celebrate the growing independent food scene in the city. Entertainment comes from local bands and DJs. The line up is: Chez Sushi; Pantry Cafe; Casa De Tapas; Spill the Bean; Moti Roti; Kris Kros; Shawerme; JJ Chicken; Rice Creamery and Mama Tani.
Liquid nitrogen ice cream shop opens
Need your ice cream, fast? A shop serving instant-freeze treats made with liquid nitrogen has opened on Jumeirah Beach Road. Scoopi Cafe uses the super-chilled ingredient to make super-smooth ice-creams (faster freezing means less of those pesky ice crystals, they say). Scoops start from Dh15 with flavours including sea salted pecan, Medjool date and saffron. They also sell handcrafted chocolates. Call 04-2790300.
