Family Eats: The gastropub experience at Reform Social & Grill

British pubs have always been popular hot-spots for locals and tourists alike, but the gastropub emerged in the 80s when pubs started serving high quality cuisine as well. The trend is believed to have been started by a pub called Eagle, which also coined the term.

Reform Social & Grill in Dubai takes things a step further by making the gastropub experience family friendly. Originating from London, this restaurant and bar claims to provide "first class British food and drink".

We visited the London last year, and so when we stepped into Reform Social & Grill, it immediately reminded us of the English pubs we found at almost every street corner. But one thing that really sets this place apart is the sheer space it is spread across. Overlooking a beautiful lake in The Lakes, a community in Emirates Hills, you can't beat this serene view, which seems so far away from the bustle of the city.

We decided to sit inside, though, since it was already quite hot when we stopped by for lunch. At the seating area, the vibe was definitely busy with lots of families spending their Friday afternoon here.

We first ordered Chicken Goujons with fries and salad for Little Dude from the Kids Menu. He was served a juice carton with his meal.

We started our lunch with Steamed Asparagus served with hollandaise sauce and poached egg. The asparagus could have been slightly crunchier but the sauce and egg were flawless.

The other starter dish we tried was the Sweet Potato and Red Onion Tart. It was accompanied with an apple, walnut and endive salad. The filling tasted great, but the pastry was slightly dry, which made me long for some gravy to go with it.

Among the drinks we tried, the non-alcoholic The Gentleman was a real winner. The cucumber, mint, and cinnamon combined with lemon juice and ginger ale made it a very refreshing drink, and a perfect summer thirst quencher.

When Little Dude was done with his food, he was given an ice cream coupon by our friendly server Darwin. This was redeemed happily at the Ice Cream Parlour next door.

Since we were having the "best of British food", how could we not order Fish and Chips? The dish was beautifully served with hand cut fries. The fish was perfectly cooked and soft on the inside and the batter was crispy and not very oily. The hand cut fries were very authentic - a good thing, as this kind is hard to find in Dubai.

We simply did not have room for any more mains, and proceeded to the dessert, or 'pudding', as they say in England. Their signature dessert is the Sticky Toffee Pudding served with warm vanilla custard in a jug. This was just heavenly, since I am a fan of warm custard, and you really mustn't miss it when you visit them!

Since it was a hot day, we couldn't stay long in their outdoor play space for kids in the lawn. There's a bouncy castle and a shaded playground. On a pleasant day, you can also take a seat outside while the kids play.

If you love your British food, head on over to Reform Social & Grill with the family for a good day out! It's recommended to make a reservation ahead, as it can get quite busy on weekends.

A meal for two adults and one child (without beverages) costs about AED 380. It is on the pricey side, but then you do get generous portions, even in the salad, and you can spend time out on the lawn, and you get a real gastropub ambiance.

Reform Social & Grill is located at The Lakes, Dubai. To make a reservation, call them on 04-4542638 or email [email protected]. You can also make a booking on their website.



We were invited to the restaurant for the purpose of review, but all views and opinions remain my own.