...to make up for making your boyfriend watch The Notebook.

DBGB
299 Bowery
Between Houston and 1st Street

Here's a newsflash - Guys tend to be a little over dramatic about what we have to put up with. Going shoe shopping with you, or to see your best friend for brunch, or going to your parents house for the weekend isn't exactly like being water-boarded - but we sure act like it is. And there's nothing we hate more, than to be subjected to 2 hours of absolute drivel like Mamma Mia! or The Notebook.

Once the credits rolls, it takes some serious work to make us feel better, no matter how much you said the movie means to you. So, if you have a grumpy, pouty man in your life that you need to apologize for making them suffer through gems like The English Patient, The Piano, actually any movie that starts with "The" and has a classical music soundtrack - there's nothing you can do, except put some food in our mouths and the best place to regain our respect and love is at the new gastropub DBGB.

This just-opened lower east side hot spot, created by Daniel Boulud as his alternative to his more fancy Daniel and The Modern, has a menu that is more masculine than Rambo. Once he sees the Sausage Menu there's no way that your guy won't start to warm up and crack a smile. One sausage is a great starter for one person, but you should carry on and get one of the incredible burgers or anything else from the grill. Be sure to save room for desert, where they make delicious plays on the classic ice cream sundae.

Tip: There's always a chance to get a table, even last minute - the very large front area of the restaurant is a "first come first serve" bar area.

Tip 2: The beer list is amazing, with some great selects from around the world - but be warned, some can be as expensive as $50 a pint. Seriously. So be careful not to say to the waiter, "bring me something good."

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...when that creepy guy from high school facebooks you to meet for a drink.

Ace Bar

531 East 5th Street

(Between Avenue A and B)

If I've learned anything from meeting up with high school friends from Facebook, it's that social awkwardness is not a phase. If you were goofy at 16, then you're goofy at 36. So when that creepy guy from school won't stop hounding you to catch up - writing on your wall, sending messages or commenting on your status - the best thing to do is accept the offer and suggest Ace Bar on the Lower East Side.

The key to a successful "Just get it over with" drink is the atmosphere. You need it busy enough to drown out any awkward silences, but calm enough to actually hear each other and "catch up" so you NEVER have to do this again. Great for after work or early weekend hours, Ace Bar has a calm vibe, but also offers great time killers like Pool, Darts, Buck Hunter, and best of all - Skee Ball. It also has great conversation starters like the wall of vintage lunchboxes (Thundercats anyone?), and a giant 3-D Werewolf poster.

Tip: As I said, this is a great place for off-hours. During late night hours this place can get packed with what some consider the "frattiest" crowd imaginable. But really, are you going out till 2am with this creepy dude? I hope not.

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...when someone has the bright idea to bring along their rugrat.

Schiller's Liquor Bar
131 Rivington Street

I like kids. I do. Mostly when they're asleep or in cereal commercials. But in real life, when they're awake, they kinda ruin everything. The good news is that you don't have to head to the Chuck E Cheese in Staten Island every time a friend needs to bring their kid out. There are plenty of places in the city that have great food, a great atmosphere and are perfect for even the most terrible tot.

Schiller's Liquor Bar is a hip spot on the Lower East Side that has delicious food, attentive service, and the right amount of noise and bustle to drown out any fidgetiness or whining a kid may have. The parents get to feel like they are really out in New York City, their kid gets crayons and french fries, and you get a really good meal of international comfort food.

Tip: Schiller's is a popular spot and I'm not the only one who thinks it's a great place for kids, so be sure to make reservations in advance.

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...for when you have $1 left to your name.

Prosperity Dumpling
46 Eldridge Street (Between Canal and Hester)

In this time of high unemployment, shrinking 401Ks and Wall Street Ponzi schemes, there's a good chance you'll wake up tomorrow broke. But just because you're out of money doesn't mean you're out of luck. All you have to do is take a long and lonely walk down to Chinatown.

Prosperity Dumpling is a tiny hole in the wall that's easy to miss, but the fried chive and pork dumplings are hard to forget. Quickly fried and placed into a styrofoam box, you get 5 perfect pieces of dumpling heaven for the bargain price of $1.00. That's a better deal than any fast food "Dollar Menu" out there. For big spenders, add a slice of delicious sesame bread for another 75 cents.


Tip: When you're in this part of Chinatown, it's like a foreign country and people who live there have no patience for visitors. So don't be surprised if locals cut in front of you in line. Just let it go - They'll be quick, and the dumplings are worth it.

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