NOT content with powering one of Dubai’s best restaurants Nick Alvis and Scott Price have gone and created the kind of local pub away from home that some of us crave.
LION BAR: Folly fine-dining duo Nick (left) and Scott threw a cooking curveball by taking on a pub but deliver again
Imagine a place that looks cool yet unpretentious, plays classic indie tunes from across the decades and has strategically-placed screens for all the key sporting action.
Oh, and serves high quality pub grub…welcome to The Lion by Nick & Scott.
Oh, and serves high quality pub grub…welcome to The Lion by Nick & Scott.
It has to be said, ever since folly by Nick & Scott started wowing foodies more than a year ago, a few of us were wondering what the award-winning kitchen creatives might turn their hands to next.
A British-style pub was probably wasn't the guess of most and Scott, for one, admits it was initially out of his comfort zone.
Not surprisingly, perhaps, seeing as he and Nick are more readily associated with fine dining, both with their Souk Madinat restaurant and previously alongside a certain shouty celebrity chef.
A British-style pub was probably wasn't the guess of most and Scott, for one, admits it was initially out of his comfort zone.
Not surprisingly, perhaps, seeing as he and Nick are more readily associated with fine dining, both with their Souk Madinat restaurant and previously alongside a certain shouty celebrity chef.
PRIDE OF PLACE: With something of a trendy London pub feel The Lion is likely to catch on quickly
With rebranded and redecorated venue The Lion, at The H Hotel, on Sheikh Zayed Road, they’ve compiled a menu of traditional British pub favourites and, a bit like with folly, given some familiar dishes an upwards spin to make them more memorable.
That’s not to say the likes of beef in Murphy’s pudding with mash and gravy has been turned all fancy – it’s just made better and presented with a tad more finesse in a setting that has an easy-going vibe.
In a nod to the Friday brunch tradition, The Lion is offering a set menu of favourites with selected unlimited beverages, all served to your table (also on Thursday evenings).
The result makes for a civilised afternoon, or evening, in a setting that is casual and ready built for socialising amid plenty of open space.
The selection of music alone made for much discussion during our visit as some of us searched deep into our memory banks to identify songs and bands from a generation ago – Sleeper, The Bluestones, House of Love and Pigeon Detectives providing much head scratching.
That’s not to say the likes of beef in Murphy’s pudding with mash and gravy has been turned all fancy – it’s just made better and presented with a tad more finesse in a setting that has an easy-going vibe.
In a nod to the Friday brunch tradition, The Lion is offering a set menu of favourites with selected unlimited beverages, all served to your table (also on Thursday evenings).
The result makes for a civilised afternoon, or evening, in a setting that is casual and ready built for socialising amid plenty of open space.
The selection of music alone made for much discussion during our visit as some of us searched deep into our memory banks to identify songs and bands from a generation ago – Sleeper, The Bluestones, House of Love and Pigeon Detectives providing much head scratching.
LIVE MUSIC: Clock into The Lion on a Friday and you'll hear an eclectic classic live music mix from this man
The rest of the talking points are provided by the food, not least possibly the greatest Scotch eggs to have found my plate.
Landing as part of the sharing starter section of the brunch, these impossibly tasty spheres feature a quail egg at their heart and are lifted by a gentle wholegrain mustard dipping sauce.
Close behind are veal sausage rolls, whose light pastry and finely herbed meat filling rendered the accompanying BBQ dip a little redundant.
Also easing you in is a silky chicken liver pate with a generous zesty chutney and plenty of really good toast. Finally, buttermilk chicken wings are taken to a different level by lime and chilli seasoning to surely make a bucket of these essential on a future visit.
Landing as part of the sharing starter section of the brunch, these impossibly tasty spheres feature a quail egg at their heart and are lifted by a gentle wholegrain mustard dipping sauce.
Close behind are veal sausage rolls, whose light pastry and finely herbed meat filling rendered the accompanying BBQ dip a little redundant.
Also easing you in is a silky chicken liver pate with a generous zesty chutney and plenty of really good toast. Finally, buttermilk chicken wings are taken to a different level by lime and chilli seasoning to surely make a bucket of these essential on a future visit.
SNACK ATTACK: To-die-for Scotch eggs, sensational sausage rolls and addictive chicken wings - this is a stunning start
With this menu you also choose a small salad each. While the green cous cous with beetroot, feta cheese, coriander and pomegranate was maybe the more worthy option – and very Insta-friendly - it’s hard to beat the simple pleasure of honey and mustard with mature cheddar that drove the second salad of cucumber, tomato and pickled radish.
We’ve already touched on the Murphy’s pudding – great pastry and an intense meaty taste, only slightly let down by mash that could have benefitted from a little more butter.
You’ll struggle to find a UK pub that doesn’t have a take on curry and The Lion is no different.
It offers a lamb biryani that again secures gentle sophistication in its execution.
A good amount of tender meat chunks appear in a well-flavoured, handsome portion of vibrantly coloured fluffy rice topped with crispy shredded onion and cashew nuts. The result is flavoursome rather than spicy and very filling.
We’ve already touched on the Murphy’s pudding – great pastry and an intense meaty taste, only slightly let down by mash that could have benefitted from a little more butter.
You’ll struggle to find a UK pub that doesn’t have a take on curry and The Lion is no different.
It offers a lamb biryani that again secures gentle sophistication in its execution.
A good amount of tender meat chunks appear in a well-flavoured, handsome portion of vibrantly coloured fluffy rice topped with crispy shredded onion and cashew nuts. The result is flavoursome rather than spicy and very filling.
BOLD BOWL: The lamb biryani is one of the brunch mains that takes this comfort food experience up a notch
Other mains choices include fish and chunky chips with crushed peas and tartare sauce and Angus burger in a sourdough bun with ranch dressing and veal pancetta.
For dessert you choose feom a sticky toffee pudding – as good as it looks according to the neighbouring table – and a deconstructed apple crumble.
Bathed in a perfect vanilla custard, the latter bowl of comfort food vanished in seconds.
All this nourishment is complimented by a “wash it down” list of drinks that boasts come canny cocktails.
Alongside selected beer and house wine (including an often elusive rose option) there’s the playful Tequila Tipple passion fruit and lemongrass margarita; a Maybe Martini of apple, basil and vodka; and the Spicy Sling, shrewdly combining gin with chilli, soda and pineapple.
For dessert you choose feom a sticky toffee pudding – as good as it looks according to the neighbouring table – and a deconstructed apple crumble.
Bathed in a perfect vanilla custard, the latter bowl of comfort food vanished in seconds.
All this nourishment is complimented by a “wash it down” list of drinks that boasts come canny cocktails.
Alongside selected beer and house wine (including an often elusive rose option) there’s the playful Tequila Tipple passion fruit and lemongrass margarita; a Maybe Martini of apple, basil and vodka; and the Spicy Sling, shrewdly combining gin with chilli, soda and pineapple.
BRITISH STAPLE: Fish & chips complete with Sarsons vinegar is likely to tick a big box for visitors to this Lion's lair
So…not you usual brunch and not your usual pub, as you might expect from those folly fellows.
Instead, a relatively simple and pleasing place that wouldn’t look out of sorts in London’s cooler suburbs given some subtle nudges above Dubai’s other English pub wannabes.
Along with business partner Viktorija Paplauskiene, the pair confirm they have taken inspiration from pubs where they spent time while living in the UK.
“We’ve always wanted to be landlords so when the opportunity to take over came our way, it was something we couldn’t really say no to," reveals Scott. "Myself and Nick are big sports fans so to combine that with our love of food...it’s the perfect mix."
DETAILS:
THE brunch deal is available on Thursday from 7pm and on Friday as a flexible rolling three hours beginning at 2pm (until 9pm).
THE package costs AED300 for three hours, based on house beverages. Reservations can be made at [email protected] or via 971 (0)4 359 2366
THE Lion has other themed specials during the week, including Ruby Tuesdays, with unlimited curry; Wednesday steak & ale pie and a pint night; and fish & chip Thursdays.
Instead, a relatively simple and pleasing place that wouldn’t look out of sorts in London’s cooler suburbs given some subtle nudges above Dubai’s other English pub wannabes.
Along with business partner Viktorija Paplauskiene, the pair confirm they have taken inspiration from pubs where they spent time while living in the UK.
“We’ve always wanted to be landlords so when the opportunity to take over came our way, it was something we couldn’t really say no to," reveals Scott. "Myself and Nick are big sports fans so to combine that with our love of food...it’s the perfect mix."
DETAILS:
THE brunch deal is available on Thursday from 7pm and on Friday as a flexible rolling three hours beginning at 2pm (until 9pm).
THE package costs AED300 for three hours, based on house beverages. Reservations can be made at [email protected] or via 971 (0)4 359 2366
THE Lion has other themed specials during the week, including Ruby Tuesdays, with unlimited curry; Wednesday steak & ale pie and a pint night; and fish & chip Thursdays.
