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10/9/08
4:54 PM
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AROUNDTOWN
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Celebcity with Jo Brooks
Soho stars Jo takes a bite of the Big Apple for some serious A-list star spotting over dinner and drinks This week I’m writing to you from the Big Apple where I’m hanging out in Soho, drinking in the atmosphere and spotting celebs by the dozen. As always Manhattan was heaving with A-listers – Brangelina were in town at the Waldorf Astoria, where Angie was attending the premiere of her latest film, The Changeling and Brad was taking advantage of the tunnels running under the posh hotel. Paps after the family were thwarted when Brad left the hotel by one of the subterranean tunnels, surfacing in a church at the end of the block, which he left by the back door, getting straight into a blacked out SUV, managing to arrive unspotted at MOMA for a visit with Pax, Shiloh and Maddox – not just a pretty face that man. Breakfasting in The Bowery Hotel on my very first morning (currently the hottest Alison Moyet place to stay in NYC), I spotted Drew Barrymore who had just flown into town – allegedly visiting with her new boyfriend, Gossip Girl actor Ed Westwick, 12 years her junior. Also feeding their (rather hairy) faces were indie boys The Killers. High celeb count but I have to say the too cool for school restaurant looked just like a Harvester to me. The eggs were good though. Across town I heard that Madonna (in town for her Sweet and Sticky tour) was also breakfasting – but with Britney (promoting her new album) at old school diner, The Waverley. That night we ate at the restaurant in The Mercer hotel where the roll call of celebs included Russell Brand and Kate Moss – we spotted neither but enjoyed sashimi and a lovely bottle of Tattinger (we had to – it helps the jetlag). However on the way back to my hotel I walked past the ex-Moss lover Jamie Hince who was moping along the street dressed in regulation shades and leather jacket. Leaving the hotel, I shared a lift with musical legend and a massive favourite of mine, Alison Moyet who looked rather miserable – and I knew why next morning when I saw her leave on her tour bus at 6.30am. It turns out Tattinger doesn’t cure jetlag. Tonight is going to be all about Sussex – as the plan is to catch Nick Cave’s gig and then have dinner at Norman Cook’s gastropub, The Spotted Pig. Home sweet home.
Brad and Angelina
Drew Barrymore
Jo Brooks is director of Brighton-based PR company JBPR Ltd, 01273 622555, www.jb-pr.com
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