Food: Old-skool faves, after school vibe at Reform

NO MATTER HOW many people move out there, no matter how many times we visit, we're still of the mindset that Emirates Hills, The Springs and all that jazz are miles away. Every trip out there, without doubt, someone will utter the words: 'that didn't take long. It really is closer than you think.' Putting aside this old timer Dubai observation, the same thoughts unfortunately crept in when a friend suggested Reform Social & Grill for dinner last week. "The Lakes? Isn't there anywhere nearer?" We admitted our foolishness during the seven minute car ride it took to arrive outside the front door from Media City.
We're glad we did, for what greeted us was a buzzing Thursday night dining room and many tastes of home, in this case Britain. Modelling itself on a local gastropub (and succeeding), Reform is one of those neighbourhood-feel places you can only find in the residential areas of Dubai. We'd even describe it as a bit of a hidden treasure if it weren't so popular.
On the menu, all the classic favourites you could desire with a touch of an haute twist to distinguish the establishment from the many English and Irish hostelries dotted about the place. There's the full roast dinner, a fish finger sandwich with 'pea puree', fish and chips and various cuts of meat, all of which come with the obligatory massive chunky chips. It was pie night for us, though, tucking into a vegetable Lancashire hotpot and peppercorn beef pie respectively. Oh and two buckets of chunky chips. The beef pie in particular was gorgeous. Tenderly cooked meat in a thick gravy, oozing out of a delicate yet robust crust was just the ticket. Perhaps a tad hearty for some on these warm nights, we wolfed it down. The hotpot was not as expected, but still a fine choice. We remember the recipe containing more of a stock sauce, but maybe that was just one of grandma's additions. The braised red cabbage accompaniment more than made up for it anyway.
Full from the mains, we sat back and drank in the atmosphere. Full of the joys of an impending weekend, at that point the longest amount of time until having to return to work, there was definitely a fizz in the air we wish to revisit. 
Where: The Lakes
Best dish:Peppercorn beef pie
Cost for 2: Dhs350
david@khaleejtimes.com

• Food and Dining