Welcome to
THE POET

About Us

The Poet offers an informal yet refined dining experience in the heart of the Kent countryside. Set in a charismatic 16^th century building, diners can expect food of the highest standards, made using the finest local and seasonal produce and lovingly prepared by a small team of chefs led by co-owner Petrus Madutlela.

In addition to the food, we offer a selection of fine wines, quirky cocktails, and have a collection of over 70 craft gins available.

World War I poet Siegfried Sassoon lived in Matfield and is the inspiration behind our name. Sassoon was awarded the Military Cross for "conspicuous gallantry" and later won acclaim for his writing. We're pretty sure he would have loved our food too!

A warm welcome awaits diners from front of house manager and co-owner Andy Urbanek and his team. We look forward to seeing you!

MIDWEEK TREATS

STEAK & CARAFE OF MALBEC £44.95 FOR TWO

Available Tuesday evenings from 6pm-9pm.

CHEFS 8 COURSE TASTING MENU £79.95 FOR TWO

Available Wednesday & Thursday evenings from 6pm-9pm.

Minimum 24 hour notice required for Tasting Menu bookings. Simply book a table and quote "Tasting Menu", then arrive, sit down & relax while we serve you our culinary poetry.

Book now to avoid any disappointment. T&Cs apply.

Book Now

MENUS

Please note, our menus change seasonally. Below are sample menus which may vary from what we are serving on the day of your visit.

Please advise us of any dietary requirements 24 hours prior to dining with us. Many thanks!

Festive Menu

AVAILABLE FROM THE 15TH NOVEMBER UNTIL 22ND DECEMBER 2019

2 courses £ 32.45

3 courses £37.95

Caramelised Cauliflower Soup
Caramelised Cauliflower Soup, Winter Truffle, Brighton Blue Beignets (v)
Roasted Quail Breast
Roasted Quail Breast, Black Pudding, Turnip, Drunken Prune
Dorset Crab Frikkadels
Dorset Crab Frikkadels, Brown Crab Mayo, Nashi Pear, Lime & Coriander

Christmas Day Menu

3 Courses £95.00pp

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Seabass & Crab Ceviche
Seabass & Crab Ceviche, Blood Orange, Avocado, Calamansi
Barbecued Celeriac & Yeast Soup
Barbecued Celeriac & Yeast Soup, Herbed Labneh, Nooch
Anjou Pigeon Breast
Anjou Pigeon Breast, Confit Leg, Salt Baked Beetroot, Fig, Pigeon Jus

A La Carte

Available Tuesday - Saturday, Lunch & Dinner

Heritage Tomato
£9.95
Heritage Tomato, Smoked Burrata, Avocado, Gordel Olive, Basil (V)
Dry Aged Beef Carpaccio
£14.95
Dry Aged Beef Carpaccio, Lobster, Turnip, Truffle Miso Mayo, Gem Lettuce
Cep Velouté
£12.95
Cep Velouté, Hen’s Egg, Brighton Blue Beignets, Winter Truffle (V)

Desserts

Available Tuesday - Saturday, Lunch & Dinner

Dark Chocolate Tart
£9.95
Dark Chocolate Tart, Espresso Martini Ice Cream
Raspberry Souffle
£10.95
Raspberry Souffle, Consomme, Lemon Curd Ice Cream
Pistachio & White Chocolate Mousse
£9.95
Pistachio & White Chocolate Mousse, Kentish Cobnut Ice Cream

Tasting Menu

8 course tasting menu

Wednesday & Thursday evening, 6pm-9pm

£79.95 for two

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Amuse Bouche
Creedy Carver Duck
Fermented cherries, Lavash
Gunn Hill Hen’s Egg
Field mushroom, treacle, spring peas, Parmesan

Set Menu

3 Courses £24.95

2 Courses £20.95

Available Tuesday - Saturday Lunch & Tuesday - Thursday Dinner

Butternut Tortellini
Butternut Tortellini, Duxelle, Sweetcorn Velouté
Pressed Pork Shoulder
Pressed Pork Shoulder, Quails Egg, Blue Cheese Bon Bon
Gressingham Confit Duck Leg
Gressingham Confit Duck Leg, Hispi, Beetroot, Pommes Purée

Sunday Lunch

3 Courses £28.95

2 Courses £24.95

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Smoked Haddock Fishcake
Smoked haddock fishcake, curried tartare, fried egg
Heirloom Heritage Tomato
Heirloom heritage tomato, mozzarella, aubergine, green olive tapenade
Smoked salmon
Smoked salmon, avocado puree, pickled beetroot

Party Menu

3 courses £37.95

2 courses £29.95

For parties of over 8 people.

Smoked Heritage Beetroot
Smoked heritage beetroot, burrata, chestnut, carrot & Banyul
Wild Rabbit Shoulder Raviolo
Wild rabbit shoulder raviolo, confit garlic, celeriac & kale velouté
BBQ Mackerel
BBQ mackerel, mooli, beef tomato, avocado, Vietnamese dressing

Events

Summer Garden Party

On Saturday 28th September we're celebrating a the last of the glorious summer sun with a Summer Garden Party.

Come and join us from 12-5pm, where you'll be welcomed with Pimms on arrival, followed by a hearty meal from the Braai. Tickets are £20.00 p/head - book now to avoid disappointment!