A Night Out in London: La Clique and Las Iguanas

La Clique is as outrageous as it claims to be and all the better for it. With every quirky act there comes a zest for the surreal and the audience just can't get enough of it.

The recently reopened Hippodrome provides the ideal setting for this fusion of the burlesque and circus. In her striking red PVC dress Miss Behave blends in perfectly with the extravagant backdrop. No time for niceties, she dips into the crowd, spits in wine glasses and twists pointy objects through her tongue. And that's just the interlude.

Freddy Mercury obsessed Mario Queen of the circus is an equally entertaining compere. His peak being a crowd surf to We Are the Champions - so naff it comes round full circle. Hilarious.

Norway's Captain Frodo doesn't shy away from the absurd. His double jointed physique means he can bend his entire body through tennis rackets. His balancing act sees him climb up a tower of increasingly small upturned buckets; nail-biting stuff.

Stripping magician Urusala Martinez, of Croydon, may leave little to the imagination as far as her naked form is concerned but where she hides that hanky is still a mystery.

But the highlight of the show comes courtesy of David O'Mer. Twisting through ropes and landing in a bath of water, he is mesmerising to watch. And the tongue-in-cheek spurting of water from his mouth finishes things off neatly. Yulia Pikhtina's hula hoop act is also enchanting.

There's something for everyone in La Clique, providing you are over 18. But you've got to see it to believe it.

THE RESTAURANT
Where: Las Iguanas
Nearest tube: Tottenham Court Road
When: Mon-Thu 12.00-23.30, Fri-Sat 12.00-00.00, Sun 12.00- 22.30/ Happy Hour - 17.00-19.00 daily
www.iguanas.co.uk

In the heart of Soho, the latest branch of Las Iguanas to open in London should help you maintain that post theatre buzz. The Latin American atmosphere comes alive thanks to colourful decor and friendly service and the authentic food is delicious.

Nachos are a popular sharing option for starters but it is good to sample something new. In which case, try the Quesadilla. This dish consists of char-grilled tortilla filled with portobello mushroom and melted brie, with home-made tomato, garlic and coriander salsa. If you are in the mood for fish go for the Gambas; four split tiger prawns cooked in lemon and chilli butter. But make sure you leave room for the other courses.

For main course the gourmet fajitas are sizzling. Platters of bell peppers and onions come with soured cream, pickled jalapenos and warm tortillas with a choice of fillings. The Moqueca offers an alternative taste of Brazil. It's a light coconut curry of peppers, tomatoes, garlic and palm oil served with rice, sweet plantain, coconut farofa and hit chilli salsa.

If there's still space for dessert the Aztec chocolate fudge cake and vanilla ice cream is scrumptious but a little filling. A trio of sorbets might be a more sensible choice.

If none of the above sound appealing, the menu is an extensive one so you should find something to satisfy those tastebuds. The 'Drink Latin' menu allows things to slip down nicely too. Again, there's a great range of drinks on offer. Las Iguanas is the only restaurant to produce cahaca from their own sugar cane plantation near Rio so the Las Iguanas Magnifica Cahaca is worth a try. But don't rule out the non-alcoholic selection. The rasberry cooler is delicious.

Everything down to the design of the toilets in the Dean Street Branch is vibrant. So be it a quick snack and drink or three course dinner, if you're looking for a restaurant with a lively ambience, bear Las Iguanas in mind.