The Poet at Matfield looks like any English country pub from the outside, quaint, oak beamed, the kind you hope has a roaring log fire. Inside is a different story, a serious chef, welcoming team and friendly manager. Is Petrus Madutlela and the team aiming for a Michelin star? If they are, they are on the right track!

Definitely, worth the journey, go hungry, prepare to be amazed, go back. Maybe stay locally as the wine list and recommended pairings on the menu were spot on!

Something to start

• A sign of a good menu for me is the difficulty in making a choice, I wanted to try everything!

• The beetroot dish was a mix of textures of raw and cooked beets, paired with a fresh labneh. The creamy yoghurt compliments the earthiness of the beetroot. Freshness of citrus keeps the tastebuds singing

Meat!

• Luckily the choice of the main course was eased by my dining partners ordering my second and third choices

• I went for the Barbary Duck breast. Cooked to a perfect juicy pink, Hispi cabbage on the side. A cute Hasselback potato added the starch

• Pictured below are the two food envy dishes

• Pork belly, slow-cooked to perfection, seared with a crust. A rich sauce and a king oyster mushroom. Rich and intense flavours, mellowed by butternut squash puree

• The 40-day aged sirloin, cooked to a perfect medium-rare, was served with a rich jus and green beans. When eating a meal like this it was difficult to choose between mac & cheese and chips, so we had both. The curls of onion added a needed sweetness

• All were complimented by a robust Primitivo, decanted at the table

Of course there was room for dessert, and I think it a mark of a good chef to be confident to serve a cake. The walnut cake was full of flavour, moist, with the mascarpone and citrus lifting it.

The whipped passion curd and lemon balm cake was a perfect rubble of freshness, sharp tart fruit and smooth yuzu sorbet. A wonderful palate cleanser.

For the chocolate fans the chocolate fondant was well executed with the molten middle you crave.

A choice of dessert wines and sweet sake finished the meal, great recommendations from the manager.

The Poet at Matfield is worth a visit, get in before the awards start and booking gets difficult!