LA LA LA LA BAMBA ... or something Latino sounding like that

IF I'VE SAID THIS ONCE, I've said it a hundred times ... well at least twice anyway. Sigi's does a grand special evening, going all out to lay on a really great do, and last night was no different.

Billed as "Latino Evening", it didn't start off too well, because as we know it had been threatening to rain all day, and finally the heavens opened precisely an hour before it was due to start. However, luckily for them, after about an hour of fairly steady drizzle during which time we were all ensconced under shelter having our pre-dinner cocktails, it dried up, so by the time we were ushered to the tents under where all the tables were set up, we were ok. At least the rains had cooled the weather down a bit. It was very well timed, really, cos after it all ended, I think it proceeded to pour all night again.

The wines and beers were flowing freely, and I'll say this for them: they didn't stint on those, nor on the Ginger Beer and Rum cocktail which wasn't exactly a "Dark and Fiery" or anything I'd heard of, although to be honest I would have definitely preferred a crisp, ice-cold Mojito with lots of mint and lime juice. Yummy.

Anyway, Executive Sous Chef John Brock, good MAN that he is, took it all in his usual pragmatic stride, and produced a solid menu of Latin dishes which proved quite popular. There were Secco de Polo, chicken braised in cilantro; Moqueca de Peixe (Brazilian Fish Stew), Chaquican - Chilean Beef Stew, Chicken Enchiladas and many more with impressive-sounding names, but my favourite, which oink oink me had TWO helpings of was the Swiss Chard with Chorizo Tart, which was really a pie because it was covered with puff pastry, as it was very good, cheesy and tasty. In fact my even piggier dining neighbour who was sat next to me had even MORE.

The stage was divided from the dining area by an open air dance floor, and a Filipino band was there to jazz things up. They were good, and the singer was fantastic with a great voice, but somehow the music didn't quite hit the spot I felt, because not many got up to dance when they played live except a few brave souls like moi cos I do like a good bop every so often, although having said that, I had to rest after each bout of activity 'cos not young any more lah.

The local "magician" they laid on was impressive, although like the MC said what he had to do with "latin" was a mystery, but he was entertaining, and so were the colourfully-clad dancers.

After the lucky draw people started to drift off as the staff started to clear up so it was diehards who stayed on to the bitter end. The next one is a Halloween Night which I don't think will be a big one like this but should be worth a shot - look out for it, although I'm sorry to say I won't be able to make it.

Well done Golden Sands and John, ma MAN!

POP! The sound of the champagne cork being released was music to our ears. We were at one of Penang's newest, "That Little Wine Bar" in Chow Thye Road, invited to try out the place by genteel English lady Louise and her German chef husband Tommes. What better way to start a review than with a glass of one of their champagne cocktails - mine was delish, slightly sweetened with Elderflower Syrup, with just a hint of its gorgeous bouquet. The other was a Tommes Sparkle.

The cosy place is proving popular with locals and expats: it's somewhere to pop into after work, as it's conveniently situated between Burmah Road and the busy Northam offices, for a drink ... or two ... whilst the traffic outside dies down. Sit at the bar on one of their oversized high stools tucking into one or two of the tapas dishes that they have become known for, drinking one of the large selection of wines that they import direct from boutique vineyards in Europe. A big blackboard covers one wall, announcing the day's specials, or the wine of the week, with some witty remarks.

Alternatively, sit at the comfortable tables which dot the rest of the small dining area and tuck into some unique dishes.

"We do traditional, clean, European food," said Chef Tommes. "Everything is made fresh from scratch, even our stocks and mayonnaise." Even his breads are baked on the premises. As he spent the last five years prior working in Shanghai, including Stefan Stiller's 1-Michelin starred restaurant, I'd say he knows what he's talking about.

We started with Mushroom Soup which is very different from the usual creamy type; it's made with five different types of the popular fungus, in a clear hot broth, after which we had gorgeous red Beef Carpaccio, sliced so thinly you could see the plate through it. "Only the very best quality tenderloin can be eaten raw," Louise confirmed. Dribbled with extra virgin olive oil and rocket, topped with a couple of slivers of parmesan, it was delicious.

The Mushroom Quiche is apparently the one that everyone comes back for, although for me it was the Warm Apple Pie in Filo Pastry - it was really excellent, light as air. Mmmm ... I'd definitely go back for that!

As it was rather busy that night Tommes was stuck in the kitchen for much of the time, but he managed to get out for a few minutes at the end. "I've learnt a lot since we opened here," he told me. "People told me that Penangites are cheap and you can never sell good food here. We may charge more," he said, "but you get the atmosphere. The ingredients are the best I can get."

Unfortunately we had to rush off as I had to see someone to finish off my Sunday Metro column, so had just 5 mins to spend with him, but he's certainly an interesting person, whom I'd like to talk to longer, so Louise if you're reading this I look forward to getting together again soon!