Superstar couple dines in McAllen

McALLEN — It wasn’t quite a Brangelina sighting, but Desperate Housewives star Eva Longoria and her hubby, San Antonio Spurs point guard Tony Parker, dined with her family Thursday night at McAllen’s own Lansky & Brats restaurant.

“I can tell you she is an incredibly nice lady,” said a bodyguard who would not disclose his name or the name of the security company that employs him. “They are good people. Very earthy.”

He said Longoria and Parker flew in late Thursday evening to visit with her family who live in the Valley.

They dined in a secluded back room of the Nolana restaurant, and Longoria asked not to be bothered since she had only a few hours to visit, the bodyguard said.

“They are Valley people and so is she,” he said. “(Hollywood hasn’t) changed her much. I just feel that they need this time together.”

Eric Acosta, the restaurant’s general manager, said it was “a pleasure” to have the family there.

He said when the Longoria family made the reservations, “we didn’t know it was Eva.”

“It is always a pleasure to have high-profile celebrities,” he said.

Longoria made People magazine’s list of “50 most beautiful people” in 2005. She is the youngest of four sisters who grew up on a ranch in Corpus Christi, according to abc.com. She attended Texas A&M University-Kingsville, where she received a bachelor of science degree in kinesiology, the Web site says.

A 2006 Golden Globe nominee, Longoria stars as sexpot Gabrielle Solis in the Emmy-winning primetime soap Desperate Housewives, which is currently in its fourth season.

Parker was picked by the Spurs in the 2001 NBA draft and has helped lead the team to three league championships. He was named the NBA’s 2007 Finals MVP. He is currently suing a celebrity gossip Web site for $40 million over claims he had an affair with model Alexandra Paressant, according to the BBC.

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Jackie Leatherman covers Hidalgo County government and general assignments at The Monitor. She can be reached at (956) 683-4424.