New De Niro role: co-star in mayor’s trans fats debate

New York – Days after city health officials proposed outlawing trans fats in eateries, Mayor Michael Bloomberg defended the ban and tried to drag Robert De Niro into the debate because the actor’s restaurants do not use the man-made oil.

De Niro, an owner and investor in several culinary hot spots, went to City Hall on Thursday for a news conference related to his Tribeca Film Festival but stayed for the mayor’s general media briefing, at which Bloomberg was asked about the health department’s trans fats ban.

The proposal is raising questions about whether the government should be playing head chef, causing restaurants and bakeries citywide to consider makeovers for the Big Apple’s favorite treats.

“If you look at some of the best restaurants in this city, including Robert De Niro’s, they do not use trans fats because they don’t need them in their food and there’s no reason to have them,” Bloomberg said.

De Niro, who won Oscars for his roles in “The Godfather: Part II” and “Raging Bull,” appeared slightly surprised by the mayor’s plug for his restaurants, but the 62-year-old actor did not add anything to the argument.

Baby, wedding in the works

New York – Amanda Peet and screenwriter David Benioff are expecting a baby and will marry this weekend, the “Studio 60” actress says.

Peet, 34, told David Letterman on CBS’ “Late Show” on Wednesday that she is four months’ pregnant, earning her the nickname “Fatty” on the set of her NBC show.

“See, that’s not right,” Letterman said. “That’s just not right.”

“I think it’s really funny,” she replied.