Heartburn Hotel

ELVIS LIVES! Or, at least, the food of The King lives in a new book titled “The Life and Cuisine of Elvis Presley”(Crown Trade Paperbacks, $15).

Author David Adler did extensive research into every facet of the late star’s eating habits, including what his mother, Gladys, probably ate while Elvis was in utero (“corn bread, a mess of greens, fried okra, and if you had the money, a piece of meat”).

The foodography also includes Elvis’ grade-school cafeteria lunches, meals he ate while in the Army, favorite dishes at Graceland, and an entire section on snacks (Hostess Cupcakes, Eskimo Pies, Nutty Buddies and hot dog rolls were his choice while walking around the house.)

The book takes a Hollywood Babylon-esque turn when it confronts Elvis’ epic binges toward the end of his life. In a chapter titled, “The Tragic Dinners,” Adler writes, “Once, while staying in Baltimore prior to a concert, Elvis awakened and ordered a hot fudge sundae for breakfast. He quickly polished it off and ordered a second one. Horrified onlookers could do nothing as they watched Elvis order and eat a third, a fourth and a fifth sundae for breakfast. Then Elvis passed out.”

There are recipes throughout, although only those with a cast-iron stomach and clear arteries should try such bizarre dishes as fried dill pickles, 7-Up salad and a peanut butter-and-cheese sandwich that Adler says Elvis invented all by himself: Slather two scoops of smooth peanut butter on a slice of white bread. Add one slice of American cheese. Serve open-faced.

Lovett or Leave It

From the never-ending Lyle Lovett/Julia Roberts front: At a stop or two on his current tour, she’d been coming on stage before the show and introducing him, making audiences cheer.

But during a stop in L.A. recently, Lovett’s show began with the lights coming down and the theme from “The Crying Game” playing in the dark. When the lights came back up, Roberts was nowhere to be seen, but a large man in a pink dress and a blond wig was center stage. He introduced Lovett, Lovett came on, and the band swung into “Stand By Your Man.”

If Lovett planned this as a suitable stand-in for his new bride, it’s not likely many were fooled.