From the outside it may look like a comforting, homely Kentish village pub, but The Poet at Matfield is essentially a restaurant, with a beamed and flower-filled dining room at the heart of proceedings. “Excellent dining, great atmosphere, fantastic service”, declares one fan of the place – and he’s not alone in singing its praises. The cooking has a strong European bias, with a few exotic influences tossed into the mix: scallops and Cromer crab are paired with charred pineapple and curried mayo; roast pork loin and braised shoulder come with boudin noir purée and carrot; beetroot risotto is dressed with cream cheese and sorrel. There’s also a dish of goat spiced with ras-el-hanout, while desserts might include white chocolate and orange pannacotta with coffee ice cream. Each dish on the menu comes with a suggested wine pairing from the extensive global list. “Always good!” is a typical confidence-boosting verdict.