NYScene: Brunch with Robert Verdi and Ana Ortiz of "Ugly Betty"

Adriana here!

Just about the only things that can get me up before 9 a.m. on a Sunday are good food, the chance to meet a celeb friend-in-my-head, and Robert Verdi. Wouldn’t you know that all three conspired to entice me out of my warm bed this past weekend?

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Il Verdi hosted a holiday brunch at his Luxe Laboratory yesterday with the fabulous Ana Ortiz AKA the sizzling (and my favorite) Hilda Suarez from “Ugly Betty.”

Super-cool Ana and I gabbed it up for a while after comparing notes and finding out we’re both native Uptown NYC girls, fans of stand-up comedy, and hungry for “Ugly Betty” spoilers (I tried, guys, but no luck–she said she and even America Ferrera, Ms. Betty herself, are kept in the dark by the writers!).

As if meeting Ana wasn’t enough, the spread was a foodie’s dream (or punishment if you’re avoiding the holiday pounds). Co-sponsor Budweiser created a Bud Light Lime Bellini that was…out of this world (Bellini and Beer–who knew?). I drank mine so quickly that all I could get was a shot of the recipe for anyone who wants to try it (that’s “eldelflower liquer” at the end)!

Of course, I couldn’t leave without a catch-up with Robert, who was chicly bedecked in Louis Vuitton camo finery! (You can’t tell it in this picture but he had a fabu LV camo belt on to match the scarf).

R.Veezy and I talked holiday plans, and he and his lovable pooch, Lucinda (who made her rounds among the guests, too), plan to spend the holidays close to home. I almost wanted to ask if I could make the Luxe Lab my home (seriously, y’all–it has a spa bathroom with a tub big enough for four, a kitchen befitting a spaceship, and hair and nail stations) but figured I should quit while I was ahead, no?
Love, Peace, and Bud Bellinis (seriously!)
~Adri