Randomness Guide to London - Differences between Version 3 and Version 1 of Rising Sun, HA1 3QL

Sri Lankan restaurant in the Sudbury area of Harrow. It also has a small pub-style bar area to one side, with a separate entrance, and hotel accommodation on the upper floors.

Entry is into a small lobby which leads immediately into a large dining room with seating for around 50 on the level and another dozen on a small dais set in the bay window at the front. Tables are laid with white and burgundy linen cloths and ready-set with cutlery, wine glasses, and paper napkins.

The low ceiling is cluttered with spotlights, reflectors, smoke detectors, and chandelier-style light fittings inexplicably enclosed in dark brown lampshades. A bar with keg fonts sits in the corner, with neon strips above cycling in colour through all the colours of the rainbow. Lighting is dim, even on the dais at the front window, where slatted blinds block the sunlight.

They do a set menu on weekday lunchtimes, with a choice of chicken, mutton, fish, or vegetable curry with two vegetarian side dishes, two salads, rice, and poppadom. Mutton rolls and fish cutlets are also available, but for the full menu you have to come in the evening or on the weekend (they also offer a buffet during these times).

Kake visited on a Thursday lunchtime in April 2019. Arriving a little before noon, I was the only customer at first, but a cheerful and chatty group of five or six arrived shortly after. A news programme was playing on the radio, not too loud.

As it was a weekday lunchtime they were only doing the abovementioned set menu (£5, with an extra £2 for a soft drink or pint of lager). I asked for the fish curry, but it wasn't ready yet so I went for the vegetable option instead, which turned out to be aubergine curry. The side dishes were chickpeas and dal, and the salads were cabbage and carrot. It was all served together on a metal tray photo.

The dal was nicely flavourful; perhaps a little on the salty side, but fine when mixed with rice. The chickpeas were soft and similarly flavourful, and the aubergines were cooked just right. The carrot and cabbage salads were refreshing, though the fried lentils in the cabbage were a little hard. The rice was fine, and the poppadom was crisp and fresh. Four small curd chillies concealed under the poppadom were a welcome surprise for an extra hit of flavour. Overall there was a pleasant level of chilli heat that built throughout the meal. It was a generous portion, more than I could finish, and very good value for a fiver.

Service was friendly and helpful. No service charge was added to the bill.

According to a member of staff in April 2019, they have live music on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday evenings.

Accessibility: No steps to get in, and most of the seating is on the level. Step-free to toilets too, but access a bit narrow. The pub has its own car park just across the road.

See also:

• Pubs Galore comments
• WhatPub entry

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