The Sun — Restaurant in London

Carshalton is full of pubs – some better than others but this does mean they all have competition and in this day and age they need some way of surviving let along thriving. The yardstick against which all other Carshalton pub (in my world anyway) are judged is the Hope.

The Sun could possibly be nudging into the real drinkers market that the Hope almost has an almost-monopoly on but realistically this is a gastro pub with a big emphasis on keeping the kitchen busy. There is a fancy menu, prices are quoted to one or two decimal places and without a pound sign. Hence, sandwich won’t cost you £7.50, it’ll cost you 7.5. I actually find it a bit pretentious to be honest.

The other thing that annoys me walking into a pub, it having someone coming up to me as I walk over the threshold and asking me if I’ve booked a table. It’s something that just gets up my nose. If I had booked a table, I’d have walked up to the bar and said “excuse me, I’ve booked a table in the name of... etc”. But as is the modern way the difference between a pub and restaurant gets ever more blurred.

There was a gap of 30 odd years since my previous visit to this pub and it has almost changed beyond recognition. The cosy split level saloon bar is now signed as a “dining area” and the little upstairs platform where the dartboard lived is now a kitchen. They’ve also blocked off the North Street entrance so everyone now goes through the door on the corner of Mill Lane and North Street (which used to go into the old public bar).

They are trying to promote real ale guest beers which is laudable and there was a choice of a Weltons wheat beer “White Dragon” and Salopian’s “Darwin’s Origin”. There were two or three handpumps not in use which was a disappointment and they also had a run of the mill national brand, Speckled Hen or something.

I noticed a wall sign and bar mats advertising Beavertown beers but the only so-called ‘craft beers’ on show were East Coast IPA and Yardbird – both Greene King attempt to muscle into a fashionable market.

The pub also has fancy (i.e. pricey) sprit of the month promotions. May appears to gin with Fentiman’s tonic water of course. April was rum.

Prices are not low. I bought a pint of White Dragon and a glass of red wine and it cost me £10.60 or should that be 10.6?

I give it three stars. It’s not the kind of pub I’d go out of my way to visit. Had there been one or two more interesting cask ales on then it could well have earned...

I booked The Sun Gin Library for my 50th birthday celebration in early March. From planning to execution The Sun was faultless. Attention to details, while still keeping a relaxed approach was welcome. The advice & suggestions put forward along the way , when undecided on any points during the planning were spot on! On the night, to avoid congestion at the bar area, The Sun provided different drink stations spread out within the function area (such as wine trees, a separate ‘station’ with a barrel of ale & iced buckets for the different beers). Great idea! The various seating areas provided also suited my guests- such as the younger guests making a space for themselves, congregating on the balcony area & using the blankets provided. There was also different seating areas inside & plenty of floor space to move around, or dance if you wanted. The birthday cake - was fittingly showcased on its own table. I had created a Spotify playlist for the night which they kindly played through their music system. The food was outstanding & have since had several comments from my guests about how great it was. The team of staff for the function were brilliant - special thank you to Ed, Mia & Nathan. Thanks Jo & the team. For helping to make my 50th party a night to remember. Will be back for another superb Sunday lunch in the...

I had the pleasure of Visiting The Sun in Carshalton today. The staff are so friendly and welcoming, greeting you upon entrance and when leaving, which always leaves a good impression. I had a couple of pints of Twickenham Naken Ladies, which was in tip-top condition. Well done to whoever looks after the beer and the cellar, the best I have tasted in a long time. The food is delicious, I had 8oz Sirloin Steak with Garlic Butter £28 with a complementary glass of 175ml house wine. It was cooked to perfection, highly recommend it. You must visit this pub. I also had the pleasure to speak to the manager Gary, he is an absolute gentleman, and the Staff seem fiercely loyal to him. Customer service is a forefront of this pub and is second to none. I was served throughout the evening by Eva, who also is a credit to the pub, her customer service skills are second to none, as are Gary's. All the staff were amazing. Please, please visit this pub you will love it. It was also Jazz night. The Buckingham Trio were performing, who were amazing. Thank you all for a...