EVA MENDES - MENDES DENIES PHOENIX ROMANCE

Screen beauty EVA MENDES has hit out at rumours she is dating WALK THE LINE star JOAQUIN PHOENIX.

The HITCH actress, who is already in a longterm relationship, sparked rumours of a romance with Phoenix after the pair showed up at New York City restaurant La Esquina on Monday night (27FEB06).

A source tells gossip site PageSix.com, "They were absolutely adorable together" and reports they "held hands and danced together" at Club Butter after dinner.

The source adds, "It was weird - everyone knows she has a longtime boyfriend."

However, Mendes' spokeswoman NICOLE CARUSO insists the actress was simply socialising with a work colleague, saying, "They are just friends.

"They are in town doing a movie together called WE OWN THE NIGHT with MARK WAHLBERG.

"Eva is still with her boyfriend."