...when you absolutely, positively, without a doubt canNOT be seen with this person.

Raines Law Room

48 West 17th Street

Between 5th and 6th.

Remember that Bugs Bunny cartoon where Yosemite Sam tries to escape Bugs by flying to China, going into a cave, digging down 500 feet and then locks himself in a safe? Then in the darkness, someone lights a match - it's Bugs. What's up Doc? Well, that's New York City.

Sometimes, no matter how remote the borough, no matter how obscure the place is, no matter how far down the side alley you go - you WILL see someone you know. It's just one of the laws that this city has. But there are things you can do to get around this law if you're careful. So, if you absolutely can't be seen with the person your with - whether it's an affair, a sketchy business transaction, or catching up with your father who's in the witness protection program - I have just the place for you: Raines Law Room.

Down a dark and empty street, 2 full avenues from Union Square, in the quiet wasteland between the Village and Chelsea, lies an unmarked door. Ring the lit doorbell button and the door will open and an attractive foreign man simply says "We've been expecting you.". Once you walk in, the decor is of a 1920s apartment, turned into a hip spot for friends to meet and sneak a cocktail. There's no bar, just an apartment kitchen which is where the bartenders serve up classic drinks. With only about 12 tables, it hard for the place to get too crowded - increasing your odds tht you'll see someone you know. But just to be safe, ask for a table in the back.

Once you and your secret friend sit at a quiet and dimly lit table, just pull the string hanging on the wall for service. This helps keeping prying eyes of the staff away until you absolutely need them. Of course, this super secret location and service comes with a price. Drinks can run between $10 and $15, and the food menu consists of just a cheese plate. But you'll be able to rest easy, because on an off night, at an off time, with a back table at a speakeasy in this dead zone of Manhattan, I would say the chance of seeing someone you know is about 14% - which is the lowest this town is ever going to give you.

Tip: Sunday through Tuesday, they will accept reservations. Just send an email to reservations@raineslawroom.com by 3pm and let them know the number in your part and phone number. If you happen to get to Raines during prime hours, you can leave your name and cell number with the host and they WILL get in touch with you when a table opens up.

Map

Yelp

...to spend a rainy Sunday afternoon.

Chelsea Market
75 9th Avenue

Between 15th and 16th Street

I hate sunny Sundays - with all the getting up at a reasonable hour, the showering, the walking aimlessly around the city, and the guilt that I didn't "take advantage of the weather". No way. Give me a rainy Sunday any Sunday. Give me movies on the couch, snacking and napping. And maybe - give me ONE place to go to get a great variety of food, without having to get wet - give me Chelsea Market.

Chelsea Market is a one floor mall that is home to an incredible variety of food shops - from fresh bread to fresh lobster. I love to walk it's simple layout, and stop at each place and get one small thing to eat. You can get out of there spending $30 and have a delicious meal. It's a great place for a date, when parents are in town, or even just by yourself to kill a couple hours.

I suggest:

The free wine tastings at Chelsea Wine Vault

The Spicy Noodles at Chelsea Thai

The soup at The Lobster Place

The chocolate chip cookies at Eleni's

The stracciatella gelato at L'Arte Del Gelato

Tip: If you feel like getting adventurous (and much more costly), get an appetizer at some of the city's best restaurants, like Buddhakan, Del Posto, and Morimoto, all located on the periphery of the Market.

Website

Yelp

...after a long vacation and you want to feel like a New Yorker again.

Abe and Arthur's

409 West 14th St.

(Between 9th and 10th)

You never know what you have until it's gone. Usually people say that about a relationship, a job, or maybe an STD - But for me a few days ago, it meant a good beer, a good steak, and a good dessert. After I came back from a trip overseas, where everything I ate seemed to taste like lamb and yogurt, I was in serious need for some good American food and to reconnect with New York. I found it at Abe and Arthur's.

Located in the heart of the Meatpacking district, you are thrown right back into the hip and hectic vibe of the city. The staff is beautiful, the music is great, and the food is fantastic. What else can you ask for after a trip to the Congo, or Shanghai, or Kansas?

The menu is substantial, but my recommendations are the Sliders, the Rib Eye for two, and the Mac and Cheese. And you can not miss the best part of the meal - dessert. At Abe and Arthur's they serve a Ferris Wheel of donuts. Yup, I said it. These perfectly warm and soft fritters are served with two small squeeze bottles, one cream, and one jelly, and you use them to "inject" your donut with whichever flavor suits you best. Oh man...I'm weak just thinking about it.

Tip: If you aren't paying attention, your bill can easily get to the $100 per person mark - but if you have to trim - cut back on the $12 sides and the $14 cocktails.

Website

Map

...for when you're sick and tired of vodka tonics.

Flatiron Lounge

37 West 19th (Between 5th and 6th)

It doesn't matter if your drink of choice is an Amstel Light, Jack and Coke or a spiked Shirley Temple - isn't it time to try something new? Flatiron Lounge in Union Square strives to bring back the golden age of the cocktail, and with their intimate art-deco atmosphere, jazz music and skilled bar staff, they more than succeed. But what makes the Flatiron Lounge stand out is their nightly "Flights". Each evening they create three signature cocktails that feature a similar theme and serve them to you all at once. The night's theme can be around a specific liquor or a topic like "Rat Pack Favorites". It's the best way to try 3 new mixed drinks without being worried you'll be sick in the morning.

Tip: With three drinks in front of you, it's hard to pace yourself. Try.

Website

Map

Yelp

...for when it's 4 in the morning and you want something more than a diner.

Cafeteria
119 7th Avenue (At 17th Street)

Tyler Florence is a douchebag. Let me put that right out there. He's part of the cabal of shilling Food Network chefs who are hell bent on making us think that Applebees, TGI Friday's, Chilli's and any other food trough at the far corner of the mall is an actual restaurant. They're not. Trust me, I worked at Pizzeria Uno's. They're food processing plants with oars on the wall, and they're putting real restaurants out of business.

BUT...if there's one thing that Tyler Florence did right, it was way back when he was executive chef at the incredible Chelsea eatery, Cafeteria. Open 24/7, they serve elegant diner food in a casual, sophisticated lounge atmosphere. Cafeteria is great anytime of day, but it is a late night oasis when you are in the mood for Mac and Cheese, Meatloaf, BLTs, and cocktails.

Tip: Cafeteria has amazing biscuits, perfectly light and

fluffy - so get everyone at the beginning of the meal to ask for more so you have plenty on hand.

Website
Map
Yelp