How we missed Lindsay by one day

“Lindsay was here!”

That was the exclamatory greeting we got from Rose Manuel Saturday last week when I, together with my friends Tim Evans (of the US Immigration) and immigration lawyer Jemela Nettles, dropped by unexpected at Frankie & Johnnie’s New York Pizza in Beverly Hills. Rose and her husband Ramon own and manage the joint (located at 9533 South Santa Monica Blvd., Beverly Hills, CA 90210, telephone 310-860-1155), with their children helping them run it.

Lindsay as in Lohan?

“Yes,” said Rose. “Lindsay Lohan. She was here yesterday.”

Oh no, we missed her by one day, sayang! I would have wanted to ask Lindsay how her current brushes with the law have changed her, how she felt about playing the Elizabeth Taylor in a forthcoming TV-movie and if she was coming to Manila to drum up for Jag Jeans of which she’s the newest endorser.

I did meet Lindsay years ago during the Hollywood junket for Herbie Fully Loaded. That was before she started, well, “misbehaving.” I remember how, during the presscon, she stopped in the middle of a sentence when my celfone ringtone went off — you know, the baby laughing like crazy.

“Hey, whose baby is that?” exclaimed Lindsay from the presidential table. “Who brought his baby here?”

When she learned that the laughing baby was inside my celfone, she started laughing (almost like the baby!) before she resumed what she was saying.

We asked Rose for “proof” that Lindsay was there and she promptly produced a picture (shown here).

“She was sweet,” added Rose. “She ordered two slices of pizza with cheese, three slices with pepperoni, one slice with sausage and two lunch specials, plus raspberry iced tea.” Burp, burp, burp!!!

My friends and I discovered Rose’s pizza parlor only early this year. I met Rose years ago on a PAL flight to Manila from L.A. She became my textmate.

“Visit our new pizza parlor on your next trip here,” she invited me.’

The walls of the parlor are lit up by the autographs of highly-satisfied star clients and celebrities (too many to be named here), with Lindsay and Boston Celtics’ Ray Allen among the recent suki. We saw the autographs of Filipino celebrities like the Muñoz brothers Carlo and Leandro, and Batangas Gov. Vilma Santos.

“Vilma’s sister Winnie and her family have been here,” volunteered Rose. “Some stars who can’t come simply have their favorite items delivered to their homes. Ashton Kutcher is one of them...when he was still living with Demi Moore nearby.” 

“Do you have any vacancy for a delivery boy?” I asked Rose. Just kidding. Then again, I was not.

As we sat at a round table outside, enjoying our Calzones (highly-recommended by the Manuel couple), Ramon pointed to a café at the corner. “Madalas nandyan si Russell Crowe. Wala lang, just taking coffee and relaxing.”

Had we stayed longer, I’m sure, we would cross paths with some stars…maybe Lindsay back for more servings of her favorite flavors?

For a nightcap, Tim invited me to our favorite Chinese restaurant at the ground floor of the Beverly Center (on 121 N. La Cienega Blvd., CA 90048, telephone 310-854-6467) — yes, P. F. Chang’s China Bistro where Kris Aquino and James Yap and their kids had dinner on their L.A. trip during happier times. Judge Carlos Hilario, an L.A. old-timer, joined us over generous servings of Spring Rolls (appetizer), Buddha’s Feast (baked tofu and mixed vegetables), Crispy Honey Chicken and Crab Fried Rice.

You don’t have to go to Beverly Hills for the mouth-watering, tummy-filling P.F. Chang goodies. An outlet has just been opened recently at the Alabang Town Center (call 869-9810 or 869-7837 for inquiries or reservation).

I’ll bring Tim and Carlos there when they come to visit.

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