Pub, not a pub, pub, not a pub. I’ll tell you exactly what I found at The Poet in Matfield, near Paddock Wood, and let you decide.

The traditional sign meant I spotted it easily and the barmaid who stepped up to serve me could not have been more welcoming and friendly. There were five or six options available on draught but I immediately narrowed my choice to two – a 3.9% Scaramanga Pale Ale from the Gun Brewery and a classic 4% Sussex Best from Harvey’s.

Unusually for me, I took up position on a stool at the bar, though before trying to move one take my advice and have a session at the gym as they weigh a proverbial tonne.

I opted for a pint of the Bond villain, which I chose because it was a refreshing, zesty session ale, the fact it’s gluten free and vegan friendly weren’t key to the decision but they can’t do any harm.

With a darned good pint in hand I took account of my surroundings. The music playing was straight out of a hotel lift even Shazam chose to ignore such bland background piano nonsense.

The vast majority of the place is set up for dining with 13 tables of various sizes and, by the admission of both barmaids, this is ‘more of a restaurant with a bar, than strictly a pub’.

However, they do get a number of regulars who enjoy the relaxed, slightly more upmarket feel of the place and are more than happy to pop in for a chat and a few pints. And, I think I must make the point at this early stage, both the pints I selected were priced under a fiver.

Apart from my good self, there were only two other customers in on this quiet lunchtime and they were definitely ‘ladies wot lunch’, though it wasn’t long before they headed off in their rather nice motors.

After they departed I was left as the sole punter and the barmaids took advantage of a few spare moments to go through future staffing lists and shared a very frank discussion about the various pros and cons, as they saw them, of the other team members.

I felt it only fair to pipe up and remind them of my presence, to which the blonde barmaid replied: “Oops, I keep forgetting you’re there”.

I took the opportunity to ask why they were serving Sussex, rather than Kent, ales? Though the answer was not surprising, in so much as they are an Enterprise house and tied to the brewery.

However, the pub has recently changed ownership and the two guys who have just entered into business together only met each other three months ago. And at this point they also entered the pub and headed upstairs for an impromptu business meeting.

If the following hubbub was anything to go by, not to mention the raucous laughter, which could be heard all the way downstairs in the bar, I have to assume the venture is going fairly well so far.

The previous owners had been in charge for about eight or nine years and, whilst everyone got on okay, the barmaids were in agreement that a change is as good as a rest and it had been time for a change.

At this stage I popped to the loo and can report the gents were superbly maintained, very fresh and spotlessly clean. Size wise I’d have to say it’s bijou and the book shelf wallpaper gives a further impression of a closed-in space. There was an apology that the hand drier was out of action but plenty of hand towels had been provided instead.

When I returned to the bar, I too decided it was time for change and had shifted across to a pint of Harvey’s Sussex Best. It was equally well kept and having been served with another good pint I was definitely erring towards ‘this qualifies as a pub’.

I took a wander out back and was pleased to find an extensive garden area with a large seating area and as soon as the spring weather finally kicks in I’m sure it will be well used. The marquee frame isn’t currently covered, but I was assured that by the time events in the summer calendar come along the garden will fully up and running.

I’d now seen enough to answer the question posed at the start of this review and, having had two very acceptable pints of beer sat at the bar, felt I could overlook the large number of dining tables surrounding me and the ‘not so cheap’ A la Carte menu, to declare The Poet a pub. And there’s no need for the accounts department back in the my office to panic, I suspected my expenses wouldn’t swallow a £13.95 chocolate fondant so I passed on a pud!

The Poet, Maidstone Road, Matfield, Tonbridge TN12 7JH

Decor: It is mainly set out for dining but there is an area with armchairs in front of the fire and stools along the bar. I felt perfectly comfortable with my pint and the whole place is well decorated. ***

Drink: The guest ale was Gun Brewery’s 3.9% Scaramanga Pale Ale, ably supported by 4% Sussex Best (Harvey’s Brewery). There is an extensive wine list and a large number of different gins. ****

Price: A pint of Scaramanga was £4.80 and a Sussex Best exactly the same price. I was almost tempted by a chocolate fondant but couldn’t justify the £13.95 price tag. I’m sure the food is great and you get what you pay for but it’s definitely not cheap. ***

Staff: I didn’t get to speak to the new owners but they seemed upbeat and the two barmaids on duty could not have been more welcoming. ****

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