Restaurant in tune with Italy (From Penarth Times)

Restaurant in tune with Italy

A PENARTH restaurant served up a treat when local singer Sian Meinir Lewis entertained diners with some opera classics.

Wadenelli's Restaurant, in Glebe Street, often arranges various theme nights, and last Friday, owners Alex and Sara Karamouzis, of Plymouth Road, hosted an Italian night for the diners.

They organised for school teacher Sian, 33, of Plassey Street, to come along and belt out a few notes of opera. Customers were served an array of traditional Italian dishes, accompanied by the sound of authentic music.

Sian has been teaching Welsh full time at Cowbridge Comprehensive School for the past two years.

She completed a music degree in Bangor, before pursuing a post graduate course at the Royal Academy of Music in London.

She then went on to sing professionally at the Royal Opera House in Covent Garden.

She said: "I was brought up on the Welsh Eisteddfod tradition, and singing is what I have always wanted to do."

Sian is originally from north Wales, but has been living in Penarth, with her husband Huw, for the past three years.

She said that she really enjoyed singing to the diners, who she referred to as 'lovely people'.

Sian did three separate slots on the night, which were fitted in around the various courses, and she sang a total of ten songs.

Now that she is teaching, Sian sings professionally in her spare time by participating in a number of concerts.

She added: "I love entertaining people - it gives me a buzz. It's the communication aspect to it all."

Wadenelli's Continental Mediterranean Restaurant, which has been open for five months, is planning a Welsh theme night next week, which will come with a set menu of traditional Welsh food.

The theme nights are held every other Friday, and an authentic Tapas night is laid on each Wednesday evening.