My kind of food in Dubai under the open skies

Open-air theatres and movie nights are a hit with UAE residents. The weather is perfect to ditch air-conditioned multiplexes with their boring menu of popcorns, nachos and sugar-laden sodas. Whether it's a breezy rom-com, a gritty Western film or an offbeat Indie that is being screened - you will enjoy the al fresco atmosphere. We've picked out a few select places where you can enjoy the best of flicks and food together.
Themed food and film
Reform Social & Grill is the go-to place for British-style grub and ambience; another thing they do right are the movie nights. The Lakes hangout restarted its Cinema Nights in October. Already popular for its gastropub offerings, Reform offers a new British BBQ menu for movie nights with delicious skewers (rosemary lamb leg, chilli chicken, beef satay, shrimp, etc.) and hotdogs. Other choices include fiery Jamaican chicken wings served with an un-usual banana ketchup, a chicken tikka wrap with mango chutney and fries, and the famous Reform Angus burger (a must-try).
When: Tuesday, 8 pm
Where: Reform Social & Grill, Emirates Hills
Pay: Min Dh100 spend per person
Call: 044542638,reservations@reformsocialgrill.ae
Night out on the rooftop
Good movie nights aren't limited to just Dubai: in Abu Dhabi, Dusit Thani has unveiled a promising cinematic entertainment choice. You can watch a Hollywood flick on the rooftop. And what's on the menu? A handy list of beverages with cold salads, wraps, sandwiches, and burgers. Our picks - a satay selection of grilled beef and chicken, and grilled Scottish salmon with quinoa, basil and pomegranate salad and teriyaki glaze. If you think that's too formal for a movie night, just order a pizza slice. For dessert, there are the time-honoured cheesecakes and ice creams.
When: Monday, 8 pm
Where: Dusit Thani Abu Dhabi
Pay: Dh50 entry (including one complimentary beverage)
Call: 0564102847 or emailreservation.table@dusit.com
Taste of community fun
JLT's popular outdoor cinema has now been innovatively rebranded as JLTFLIX - offering open-air movie screenings at the venue that's not just popular among JLT dwellers, but also attracts residents from all over the city. The founders are taking a multi-forked innovative route when it comes to food offerings. Besides food truck brands that will soon sell their offerings at the venue (starting sometime this month), the viewers will also get a free JLTFLIX Movie Guide, which features special discount vouchers that can be availed at around 30 restaurants and outlets, including 800THALI, Pitfire Pizza, Tandoori Junction, 101 Parathas, Afro Fusion, Little Lahore, Ayub Wan, Cocktail Kitchen, Mantoushe, Baker Street, Sushi Express Café, Boon Coffee Roasters, and more.
When: Friday and Saturday, 7.30 pm
Where: Oval Park Cluster P, JLT
Pay: Free entrance
Visit: facebook.com/jltflix
marypaulose@khaleejtimes.com
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Savouring healthy, yummy soups
Gaurav Achipalya
Ice cream for summer months and simmering soups to welcome Dubai's winter. As the evenings get chilly, we look forward to savouring hot soups with breadcrumbs, wheat crackers, and garlic sticks. Healthy, filling, and delectable - here's our list of ten not-to-miss soups this winter.
Healthy and yummy
The Broccoli Soup at Carluccio's (044341320), The Dubai Mall, is high on nutrition and tantalising in taste. It is served with irresistible Parmesan croutons that compliment the subtle flavours of the soup.
Flavour of the season
At Reform Social & Grill (044542638), The Lakes, you get to savour the flavours of pumpkin like never before. Order the rich in fibre Roast Pumpkin Soup.
Desi Twist
The Kadhi Soup at SpiceKlub (043931233), Al Mankhool, will transport you to India. It's a much-loved desi soup.
Seafood Chowder
The chunky cream Seafood Chowder at M's Seafood Bistro (044535217), Le Meridien Dubai Hotel & Conference Centre, Garhoud, is served with brown bread toast.
Creamy delight
Can't get enough of mushrooms? The Mushroom Soup at Tawa Bakery (025566900), Al Raha Beach, is prepared using a mix of mushrooms with sautéed mushrooms as garnishes.
Going nuts
Very similar in taste to the pumpkin soup, the Roasted Butternut Squash Soup at Café Vienna (045548082), Business Bay, is for those who relish the nutty flavours.
A fine fusion
The chefs at Quattro (043931233), Al Mankhool, dish out a deconstructed version of the classic Italian soup. Their Minestrone Tea Set Soup is flavoured with green tea.Now, that's unique, isn't it!
Fight the flu
Sophie's Café (044309466), Palm Jumeirah, dishes out a soup called the Green Lean Veggie and it promises to help you fight the winter cold and flu.
Oriental taste
Tom Yam Kung Nang Soup is a prawn preparation flavoured with lemongrass, kaffir lime leaves, galangal, mushroom, chilli paste, limejuice, and coriander. Sample it at Sukhothai (047022455), Le Meridien Dubai Hotel & Conference Centre, Garhoud.
Italian charm
The Classic Tuscan Seafood Soup served with garlic croutons carry with it flavours of Italy. It is a beautiful soup with blissful flavours and can be sampled at BiCE Ristorante (043991111), Hilton Dubai Jumeirah Resort.
gaurav@khaleejtimes.com 
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