Kathy Griffin hosts D-List party with A-List style — Newsday.com

Leave it to self-proclaimed D-Lister Kathy Griffin to host an intimate dinner (for 18) and Bravo A-List Awards screening party (she also hosted the show) last night at a TriBeCa town house that went on the market this week for - get this - $35 million, one of the most expensive listings ever below 14th Street. Nothing D-list about that, nor the dinner prepared by celeb chef Rocco DiSpirito who said, "I'm pretending to be a guest, but I'm actually cooking." He supplemented the fancy menu - eggs and caviar, asparagus with morel mushrooms - with Bertoli's prepared dinners - chicken Florentine and farfalle - fabulous. The company underwrote the swanky gig. Along with the definitively five-star meal, many members of Bravo's reality show family (after all it was a family dinner) including (faint) Tyson Beckford of "Make Me a Supermodel" (he won for best abs) and NYC Housewife Jill Zarin, who appeared scar-free (save for her breast reduction - from G to D - she happily admitted) despite the season's vicious catfights (all real she said). Also along for the ride, "Top Chef" judge Gail Simmons, and super stylist Robert Verdi (who dresses Griffin and Eva Longoria among others). Griffin called the party, "A raging success. We've got Rocco cooking, it's a great combo, hot chefs, hot models, hot housewives, hot stylists. And, there were also some D-list elements that I totally embrace." Like what? "No Hugh Jackman, no Nicole Kidman walking in the door."