Water Lane, Bishop's Stortford

I went here on the back of an entusiastic write up on What Pub,but the reality was well short of the puff.The building itself is historic and interesting being part of the former Hawkes Brewery.The restaurant occupies the ground floor with a mezzanine level at the rear and it looks a smart place to eat.The bar part of the operation is in the cellar,which has various brick arches,a small brick alcove with a long fitted sofa and lighting which emphasises the fine structural brickwork.It's pretty trendy. The modern serving bar has two handpumps ,both unused on a Saturday afternoon,and with no bar person it felt like being on The Marie Celeste.The only other customers were about to leave,and faced with keg or bottled beer I took the same decision. This is probably a great restaurant,but as a bar it leaves a lot to be desired.Cellar Bar opening times are limited and listed on the What Pub link.