The Restoration, Sevenoaks

This is what looks like an old Shepherd Neame pub that I can find no reference to in a Kent beer guide from over twenty years ago. It looks the real deal from the outside It's set just off the High Street with a fairly substantial sheltered outside area that overlooks the pedestrianised shopping street. Inside it is a single room, not that large compared to the size of the building with wooden floors and three hand pumps on the bar. These had the seasonal Early Bird, Spitfire and Whitstable Bay Pale. I went for the Pale (£3.65) which was in very good nick but a tad on the expensive side. I though this place was reasonable enough but maybe a bit trendy for me.

Attractive building dating from 1616 slightly hidden away in the 'Shambles' area, opened up and thoroughly refurbished some years ago to form a fairly upmarket Shepherd Neame gastro pub (albeit one which retains a bit of character). Typically mixed selection of furniture and decor. Noticeably low ceiling. Interesting but pricey menu. Three handpumps on the bar counter, offering Kent's Best, Canterbury Jack and a decent pint of Spitfire (£3.64). Overall, with its relaxed atmosphere, its not a bad spot to while away a little time.

The Black Boy is an excellent Shepherd and Neame house which offers good food (almost but not quite a gastro-pub). It's an old town centre inn, original oak floor, exposed brickwork and some fairly tacky pine panelling, and an unoriginal fireplace, but it all fits in quite nicely together, although the aphorisms painted all around the walls are a bit naff. Staff are very friendly indeed, food was superb (although a bit pricey), today's newspapers were dotted around and the ambience was calm and pleasant. Two ales on - I had a pint of Late Red which was in first class condition. Highly recommended for lunch, a light evening meal, an evening's libation or just somewhere to hide from the wife.