In the sticky toffee pudding stakes, BB's Bar and Brasserie runs a pretty good one. But it's nothing like the rush for this unlikely hot-spot in the middle of Wan Chai. Live music, a range of beers brewed exclusively for them by South China Brewery in Aberdeen, and late night theme evenings have become the talk of Hong Kong's night life. Apart from staying open until 3am on weekdays and 5am on Friday and Saturday, BB's has little in common with Wan Chai. With its floor-to-ceiling glass front, minimal lines, and modern Australian menu, the place looks like a bit of Lan Kwai Fong (or even Quarry Bay these days) slumming it among the girlie bars. The dining area upstairs - called simply Upstairs at BB's - stands tall among the trendy restaurants. Executive chef David Laris, formerly with Mezzaluna in Macau, has designed a menu filled with chi-chi Aussie dishes. These include a mille feuille of yabbies, tomato, goat's cheese and aioli ($105); zucchini, sour cream and parmesan soup ($50); char-grilled chicken and pancetta caesar salad ($88); and pan-fried barramundi fillets with braised vegetables and crispy leeks ($163). Plus his signature sticky date pudding with warm whisky caramel sauce and cream ($60). 'There are no fixed rules,' Laris says, describing his menu. 'You have to let the food flow. I prefer to do what comes to my head.' Call 2529-7702 for reservations. Do the Outback fling Every so often in the old days, Australians on far flung farms used to load up their wagons, dress in their Sunday best, and head for the Outback's version of the high life. Amid the barbecues and dances, they would meet, party and hopefully marry. The Aussie tradition is revived at Jimmy's Sports Bar and Promenade on Saturday, March 9, with Hong Kong's first Bachelor's and Spinster's Ball - or B 'n S. True-blue B 'n S food will be laid on, including pigs on a spit and meat pies. Australian band, Weddings Parties Anything, joins local bands, Rough Lovers and Stunned Mullet, on stage, with DJ Joel Lai spinning discs between performances. Tickets cost $400 per person, and include five food and drink coupons. Part of the proceeds will go towards medical expenses of rugby player Richard Dixon, who broke his neck during a game last year. Call 2544-7581 for information. Night for Bond vivants Mick has been at the allsorts again this week with the latest in his series of restaurant variety shows designed to blend with the buffet. Mick's Bag of Allsorts #5 is being staged at The Viceroy in the Sun Hung Kai Centre in Wan Chai on Wednesday, March 6. This time, the theme is James Bond, pre-Pierce, with mime, dance, magic, poetry, theatre and stand-up comedy served up with an Asian dinner buffet. Drinks will be served at happy hour prices all night. Dinner and the show costs $350 per person, including all standard drinks until 9pm. Entrance to the show only from 9.15pm costs $99. Call 2827-7777 for reservations. Passion for pasta Dinosaurs, hearts, shamrocks and Christmas trees - there's no stopping American food producers this year as they cash in on the popularity of pasta. Industry publications are tracing a trend which started off with noodles but which now reaches everywhere for inspiration, including mass-produced pasta in the shape of religious symbols such as the Star of David. Along with seafood stuffed pasta, the popularity of flavoured and coloured pastas is on the rise. The red, green and yellow varieties - laced with peppers, beets, spinach and other herbs - top the list. But those who prefer fresh gourmet pasta should head for Kern's deli counter in Seibu. Spinach ravioli can be had for $18 per 100g, while the lobster and scallop stuffed variety cost $22 per 100g. Noodles range from egg and tomato flavours to spinach and squid ink. These cost between $12 and $15. Sweet nothings Low-fat is the latest buzzword in the mass-market chocolate industry. A few versions, with up to 50 per cent less fat than regular bars, are on their way to supermarket shelves sometime this year, according to US sweet makers. This new generation of 'lite' or 'reduced fat' chocolate promises all or most of the taste of their full-fat cousins. Bars to watch for come from Hershey and Milky Way.