TINSELTOWN SPYWITNESS.

Byline: Joel Stratte-McClure and Jenny Peters

STRICTLY ASIAN ... ALMOST: Kenny G serenaded Quentin Tarantino at UCLA's Royce Hall during the AZN Asian Excellence Awards, which the Daily Dumpling blog calls "the Oscars -- but with better SAT scores," on Wednesday night.

"They've made me an honorary Asian because they know how much I appreciate their art," Tarantino joked before joining Antoine Fuqua and Geoffrey Rush to present a lifetime achievement award to Chow Yun-Fat, who Rush claimed "gives amazing foot rubs."

Everyone applauded Asian achievements in entertainment during the taping of the show (which airs on the AZN network at 8 p.m. May 28).

"We've come so far that we're no longer lost," said Daniel Dae Kim, the "Lost" star who emceed the awards with Grace Park of "Battlestar Galactica."

But many presenters and nominees think there's still room for improvement.

"I've never seen so many Asian actors together before," said comic Margaret Cho, who spent time backstage with "American Idol" contestant Sanjaya.

"That's because there's usually only one of us per show. And a lot of people think I'm the one on 'Grey's Anatomy.' "

"I don't see why we're the only ones called 'boat people,' " Dat Phan told an audience that included award winners Kal Penn, Dustin Nguyen, Maggie Q and Rex Lee. "After all, everyone else in this country got here on a boat."

Lee said his award for best supporting actor wouldn't encourage him to join his "Entourage" pals at the Cannes Film Festival, where they're shooting an upcoming episode.

"I'm still the agent's assistant on the show and never go anywhere," said Lee.

"My character stays in Hollywood and works while the boys play."

Ah, that's the secret of success in this town.

ANIMAL ATTRACTION: American accessory designers Richard Lambertson and John Truex arrived in Los Angeles on Wednesday night in style, opening their first luxury goods boutique on Melrose Place with a posh party.

Lambertson Truex joins Marc Jacobs, Carolina Herrera and the other high-end shops that dot that tree-lined byway with their drool-worthy line of shoes, boots and bags for both men and women.

Stars, socialites and stylists jammed the sleek modern space, sipping champagne and margaritas and ogling items made of ostrich, crocodile, snakeskin and exotic leathers.

Jami Gertz and Devon Aoki coveted the newest zebra-stripe line, while others, including Crystal Moffett-Lourd, pondered whether to head to the back of the shop, where their every whim could be indulged in the custom-made section.

"I adore them," gushed Fran Drescher, shouting over the tunes spun by celebrity DJ Samantha Ronson. "Their shoes are fantastic!"

The nasal-voiced actress had more on her mind than looking good (which she did, as usual, in her leopard-print head scarf and matching trenchcoat), reminding us that she's been cancer-free for seven years. Her successful battle with uterine cancer -- and misdiagnosis in the early stages of her illness -- has led her to be a strong advocate for women's health. She's spearheading the Cancer Schmancer movement

(www.cancerschmancer.org) to make sure every woman's cancer is detected in Stage 1.

"Women have to know what to ask their doctors in order to get the right diagnosis," Drescher said. "That's what we're trying to ensure."

Plus, staying healthy means more chances to wear Lambertson Truex. "Their shoes are something to live for," she said, laughing.

VODKA AND VIPS: Have you heard about the Stoli Hotel? The latest temporary hot spot to hit Hollywood (on Ivar between Sunset and Hollywood boulevards) is a faux hotel, complete with doorman and check-in babes, VIP bedrooms and even a spa offering free services, all sponsored by Stol-

ichnaya Vodka, promoting its new flavored spirits.

All during May, the parties are raging, including Wednesday night's Playboy bash, a surreal blend of sultry centerfolds, burly bodyguards and even a tiny midget (who was not Verne Troyer), who spent most of the evening riding on the shoulders of his very large male companion.

Hugh Hefner was there, of course, since the night celebrated the DVD release of the second season of his weird E! reality show "The Girls Next Door." The octogenarian and his three very blond, very young gal pals star in that show, where all live harmoniously together at the Playboy Mansion in Holmby Hills.

They were harmonious at the party too, as Holly Madison, Bridget Marquardt and Kendra Wilkinson pranced in sans Hef, posed sexily for the cameras, and then scurried into their VIP hotel room, where they were joined by "Borat" star Ken Davitian, r&b singer Mya, musician Gavin DeGraw and David Weintraub (record producer Jerry Weintraub's son).

But that star of "Sons of Hollywood" went virtually unnoticed, for all eyes in the place were focused elsewhere. As one bright-eyed male was overheard to say, "There's more silicone on display here than I've ever seen in my life!"

CAPTION(S):

4 photos

Photo:

(1) PARK and KIM: Emcees of Asian Excellence Awards

(2) CHO: In the company of friends

Katy Winn/Getty Images

(3) DRESCHER: She definitely can spot a trend

WireImage.com

(4) HEFNER and FRIENDS: The bunny brigade