New York, July 18, 2007 – Jessica Biel and Justin Timberlake stood one another up on Wednesday night, each going solo to important functions in the same city at the same time. While Jessica Biel was at the Ziegfeld Theater in midtown Manhattan for the premiere of her movie I Now Pronounce You Chuck & Larry, her boyfriend Justin Timberlake was a bit further uptown celebrating the opening of his restaurant, called Southern Hospitality.

Timberlake and partners Trace Ayala and Eytan Sugarman say the eatery will bring a “taste of Memphis to New York City”, serving up barbecue and traditional southern specialties. Screaming fans lined the street outside the restaurant for a glimpse of the hunky Timberlake, who was with his mom and grandmother. Guests at the party made for an odd assortment – Jamie-Lynn Sigler and boyfriend Scott Sartiano, Rev. Al Sharpton, actor Seth Green and Justin’s former bandmate Lance Bass. Jay-Z snuck in behind the backdrop to avoid being photographed, despite the efforts of an overzealous publicist who literally grabbed him by the jacket to try to drag him in front of the cameras. Jay-Z prevailed.