This place looks amazing – very cool, reasonably minimal but characterful and inviting, they've pitched the decor just right.

It's the latest renovated addition to the cluster of bars, pubs and restaurants which are popping up all over the place in the Holbeck Urban Village on Water Lane and it's a similar venture to the neighbouring Cross Keys, except The Midnight Bell feels a little more chic.

That said it isn't quite a gastropub, a quick look at the limited lunch menu confirms this.

Three sandwiches, fish and chips, sausages and mash and a smattering of salads are on offer, all sound very tasty but none of them are particularly adventurous, which is fine since they aren't masquerading as anything else.

We went for a pork and apple sandwich, my dining partner had the cheddar and home made chutney sandwich, both comprised fresh ingredients though not the most filling options, nor the cheapest at around a fiver each, but still not bad value.

With a couple of soft drinks the final bill was just over £13 – but you could easily spend two or three times as much since there's a small dessert menu and a coffee machine tempting you in the corner. If we weren't on our lunch break we would have indulged.

Unfortunately we didn't have oodles of time to spare since the sandwiches took about 15 minutes to arrive and the place wasn't exactly packed. Plus the woman behind the counter seemed, how does one put it kindly, preoccupied.

"Could I set up a tab?" I asked. "Certainly, could I have a card?"
I hand a debit card over.
"Could I get a diet coke please?" I asked "Sure, anything to eat?"
"Yes, I'll have the pork and apple sandwich."
"Ok, was that a regular or a diet coke?"
"Diet please"
"And what was the sandwich again?"
"Pork and apple please"
"Of course, that'll be £13.20 please."
"I want to set up a tab?!"
"Oh so you did, sorry."

Of course that's rather sneery but it doesn't instill much confidence, and it was proved true when we only just managed to squeeze a sandwich and a soft drink into a 40-minute visit.

That said The Midnight Bell is a lovely pub, the food was pretty reasonable and not extortionate by any stretch of the imagination and it deserves to do well. Furthermore, since it's been open a matter of weeks, the service blips could be put down to inexperience – who knows?

But don't take our word for it, this placed has to be tried.

RATING: 3/5