Where: The Black Lion, The H, Dubai.

How much:  AED 310 per person

Cuisine: American/British pub food

Recommended: Blue fishbowl drink [Ask for it and they will provide]

Pop on over to this gastropub for late nights – with their cracking menu with both English and American favourites. Here’s The Black Lion Dubai review.

An American gastropub, combining the pop flavours of 90s Americano with an old-school British charm.

Food:

Appetizers

The shrimp cocktail was flavourful with a bit of a tangy punch, but the natural seafood freshness of the shrimps seemed lost in the fullness of the gravy. Cobb Salad, the appetizer platter with eggs, chicken, avocado and a tomato salsa is fit for healthy bites while you’re out on the town for a night of carefree drinking with your mates.

Another classic bar accompaniment that will leave you craving for more are the classic Chicken Wings. They are tender, juicy and have an interesting twist crust. For the final flourish of appetizers, we got the  Homemade Nachos with salsa. You need to get these. Our words won’t do the magic they produce in your mouth justice.

Mains

The Fried Chicken served to us, by itself, may seem quite dry, but is well complimented by the Red Cabbage and Walnut coleslaw it is served with, for sums much-needed wetness. The Fried Chicken doesn’t cut it as either “dude food” or a “healthy meal.” In fact, I would recommend that you make a request for the Red Cabbage and Walnut to be served with the Chicken Wings or another appetiser.

For the vegetarians: Buried under a crunchy layer of burnt-edge cheese, the Mac’N’Cheese with infusions of spinach, creamy silky Alfredo sauce and charred mushroom bits, has to be reserved for when you’re in the mood for a decadent treat.

Heavy, filling and enhanced by the crisp fried cheese crumbs dressing the top, this is a beautifully textured dish.

We’ve also heard that they plan to add more veggie options to their menu [looking forward to this eh?].

Dessert:

We strongly recommend the apple pie, an American classic. It bursts with flavours of warm gooey apple filling, just the right tinge of cinnamon and a top crust that crackles under your spoon like paper.

Ambience & Service:

The servers are friendly and cater to special requests well. The bartenders will make any drink alcoholic for you [Isn’t that a delight?].

Our senses were thoroughly puzzled as we walked into what seemed to be a gentleman’s afternoon pub in rainy England, to have our ears tingle with American pop&rock music from the 90s and have our eyes feast on contemporary pop art.

The strange bit? It all fit. The English pub setting with red and black interiors enveloped the the cross-atlantic merge quite seamlessly.

Perfect for: Brunch or a late night snack or drink[-ing session].

If you’re interested, take note:

• Every Saturday & Sunday, they have an all day American roast, served from 12pm to 11:30pm.
• Everyday, a lock-in menu runs from 11:30pm to 3am, serving delicious treats like pizza, melts & burgers.
• They have their happy hour ‘The Tap Room Session’ everyday from 5pm to 7pm – on weekdays, selected drinks for AED30 & on weekends, 2 for 1 on house drinks.