Tonbridge
The Poet At Matfield

The Poet At Matfield

Standing Cross Maidstone Rd, Matfield, TN12 7JH, Tonbridge, United Kingdom

Full • Wine • British • Bar-lounge


"In a nice small village called “Matfield “ in the middle of the Kent country side , one can find a pleasant and cosy Pub named “ The poet “ . The pub name was inspired by First World War poet Siegfried Sassoon who was born and lived in Matfield . When you see The Poet from outside , it looks like an ordinary cosy and charming 16th century building. The poet comes up with informal yet refined dining with high quality from the local and seasonal . They have a great selection of fine wines too . I went there last Friday with my two adult children . staff were very friendly and informative. We wanted to have cocktails but they don’t serve any . We chose A la carte menu didn’t know they have set menu and never been offered by staff . I’m vegetarian and my son loves beef . We had nibbles and starters . I chose Lohmann Brown egg , Kentish blue , truffle and mushroom but I didn’t see any egg and it was very salty and sour taste . For main menu my son who loves beef decided to have 40 days aged sirloin of beef , sharing with my daughter . Staff approached and informed my son that, Aged beef will be served “ medium-rare “ so he can understand it won’t be well-done . My son was happy as he prefers medium-rare . Under our surprise the sirloin arrived well-done see photos !!! The manager noticed after 10-15 minutes and immediately said he is sorry and he will replace the meal soonest . He actually did but by the time the new sirloin arrived see next photo , my children were not hungry anymore and lost their appetites . I must be fair as they deduct 50% of the price for the beef and the bill came to £190 after deduction and he gave us a free lemon sorbet . But considering the price of £92.00 for aged sirloin and all other sides and pricey menu , I would expect no mistakes . I will definitely go back and I have a feeling we had been served not by Petrus as I feel he is a great chef . Would love to have different experience next time and I still recommend The poet to all food lovers ."

El Mariachi

El Mariachi

22 Avebury Avenue, Tonbridge, United Kingdom

Sushi • Asiatic • Mexican • Fast Food


"Visited here with my partner in October First impressions were good ones, I’m a big fan of Mexican food and the menus looked as if they had a lot of choice and resonably priced, the restaurant was full with a decent atmosphere, usually a...good sign. Alarm bells started ringing when we ordered our main, calamari and an assortment of chips and dips. The calamari consisted of large, battered rings, clearly frozen (my guess is Iceland) and a mayonnaise. The chips and dips was a whole bag of cheap super market tortillas slopped on a dinner plate accompanied by shop bought hummus, sour cream and gauc. It’s a dark day when you enter a Mexican restaurant and they don’t even make their on guacamole….. even I make my own guacamole! However, we were hungry and ploughed through….. I’d like to point out at this point, I’m months pregnant and when it’s dinner time, I’ll eat anything. For mains we ordered the ginger and chilli tuna steaks which were served ‘turf and surf’ style. This means on its on griddle with a whole jar of what can only be described as uncle bens sauced shoved on top with peppers and onions. The tuna steak was extremely chewy and had a pungent smell. We couldn’t eat it. Praise the lord the the side of McCain’s oven cooked wedges which came with the dish (another whole dinner plates worth), for it was the safest thing to eat. Naturally after deciding enough was enough we asked to speak with the manager who was reluctant to help in anyway, very defensive over his frozen tuna and all in all, a bit dismissive. He did ask if he could get us anything else to eat, I’d rather raid the frozen aisle at my local Tesco thanks, and did offer us a drink on the house, to which we politely refused and asked for the bill. When we received this, the waitress announces proudly ‘here’s the bill, and we’ve given you a discount’ I pick up the paper with baited breath, what is it? Free drinks? Complimentary appetisers?? Nope! They’ve taken a whopping off our bill, which equates to approximately Bravo mariachi grill, bravo, i doth my cap to you in what I can only describe as the worst meal I’ve eaten out in a very long time."

Alishan

Alishan

149 High St, Tonbridge, United Kingdom

Pizza • Sushi • Kebab • Seafood


"Well very sadly we had a terrible experience here. It wasn’t the food or the staff although on hindsight they could have dealt with the situation that we experienced a lot better than they did. To explain to diners booking, this wasn’t to do with the restaurant and the food. After we had ordered our food (two women on a work trip) we became aware of a well dressed man constantly watching us from the bar, we both felt uncomfortable but tried to ignore it and continue our conversation. After a little while my colleague said I need to tell you something. Expecting a work related issue I listened in only for her to tell me that the man at the bar was exposing himself to her. I told the staff who said that he was a high profile client but they would deal with him. Our food arrived delicious but by this time the last thing we felt line was eating. He was still at the bar and they said they would move us. We said why should we move he should be removed and you should call the police, next to us was a table of 14/16 year old exchange students, thank goodness those girls didn’t have to witness what we did. The staff eventually moved him to another area, why they didn’t just remove him I don’t know. Five minutes later he was back and exposing himself again. Eventually they got him out of the restaurant altogether but did not take it any further. We did not eat our food, we paid a reduced price and left. An hour later after thinking it over more we wished we had just called the police the whole situation was disgusting the restaurant staff clearly knew him, stating that he was a very well known estate agent who was married to a solicitor, clearly he will Need help. Not the restaurants fault at all but we felt that they should have taken the situation more seriously than they did."