to tell your best friend that you had a thing with their fiance a while back, but it's over now, but you wanted to tell them before they got married.

Stanton Social
99 Stanton St
Between Orchard St & Ludlow St

There will be secrets that you take to the grave, I promise you. But sometimes you need to swallow your fear - take a swig of a stiff drink and just let it out. Keeping a BIG secret from a friend can be a huge burden on your shoulders, and it's probably better to tell them now then to do it during your drunken wedding toast.

The key to breaking news like this is to focus on keeping the other person's anger as low as possible. First, be in a public place where they won't freak out. Second, play up how close you two are. How do you do that? Well - I have found that when people share food, it creates a closeness that makes it really hard to get mad at the other person.

We can solve both those by going to Stanton Social.

Perfect for men or women, it has a cool and modern atmosphere, great cocktails, good music and really exciting and memorable tapas, small plates of food that are meant to be shared.

Stanton Social, now thanks to the Food Network is more commonly known as "The place the hot judge on Chopped owns". Set in a prime east village location, one could easily walk past it, but for those with a keen eye and a stomach for the deliciously absurd, Stanton Social should not be missed. This place was once a hot spot - but just like the kids in highs school Jazz Band, the more they age, the less cool they get. The good news is that you get to take advantage of the short wait times, the available tables and the food that is still great. From French onion soup dumplings, orecchiette with spicy rabbit sausage, to the red velvet twinkie - these quirky American Tapas and deserts are sure to delight even the most betrayed bestie.

Tip:
For a date night, or just to relax, there is a huge hidden bar area up the back stairs if you want more lounge and less restaurant vibe.

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to bring Jennifer Tilly for dinner.

Dell'Anima
38 8th Avenue
At Jane Street

Sometimes a hectic and bustling atmosphere can do wonders for drowning out an annoying voice. It could be your boring boss, your high pitched gay friend, or a sister who won't shut up about her kid's potty training.

Whatever the voice - you need some white noise to block it out. And nothing helps more than a crowded and loud restaurant.

Del'Anima fits the bill perfectly because you won't have to sacrifice any food quality for a noisy atmosphere. It's also a tight squeeze when you get a table, but the rustic Italian fare they create is worth the squish. The food is absolutely incredible, notably the Carbonara and the Bruschetta - they are the best I've had - and I eat those two things a LOT. They serve perfectly simple and fresh dishes in reasonable portions (The fat guy in me is always disappointed I didn't get a half pound of pasta), and the staff is more friendly than you'd expect for a hip and crowded spot like this. It's a great place for romantic dinner or catching up with an old friend - just as long as you didn't really want to hear what they had to say.

Tip: If they are booked inside - ask if there are any tables outside in back. They have 5 tables hidden behind the restaurant on West 4th. It's very quiet and is one of the few places that I like sitting outside.

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...after your World of Warcraft clan finally slays the Lich King and wants to par-tay!

Ninja

25 Hudson Street
Between Reade and Duane

Many restaurants and bars assume those who go out and spend money in New York are only yuppies, hipsters, and eurotrash. Well my friends, there's a huge unspoken population in this city that troll the night looking for nourishment and a good time - Nerds. Yes, times have changed and they've traded the pocket protectors for capes, and they don't talk Star Trek, they speak Battlestar Galactica...but yet, nerds still have a girlfriend you haven't met in Tampa.

But just because they don't understand the opposite sex, doesn't mean they don't know how to party. And when they need a place to go after an incredible victory in World of Warcraft, D&D or after spending 7 hours swinging cardboard swords in the woods - and because Medieval Times is all the way out in Jersey - they should go to Ninja.

Ninja is located in the trendiest of neighborhoods, TriBeCa - but don't be fooled. There's no bouncer or bottle service required. Only a love of all things Ninja. Once you arrive, you are asked one question: "Which way would you like to enter? The regular way - or the ninja dangerous way." If you have to think about your answer - then you should not go here. For those of you living on the edge - you are escorted down a long dark hallway where ninjas pop out with swords and kicks. You can choose two places to sit, either the Japanese village section or one of many of the private Japanese style rooms. I recommend the private rooms where you can be as loud and celebratory as you'd like, as well as get a private magic show.

When I was there, my waitress, clad in ninja clothes arrived with "Hi, my name is Jenny and I'll be your ninja tonight. Could I start you off with some water? Sparkling or Ninja Tap?" That should pretty much explain what Ninja is all about.

Granted, the food here is hit or miss - ok it's mostly miss, but really that's not the point. And yes, it's expensive, but complaining about the quality and price of food at a theme restaurant is like complaining about airline food. It's about the trip. And Ninja is a journey to nerd heaven.

Tip: There are 4 Prix-Fixe menus ranging from $39 to $88 a person and cocktails are $10, so the night can easily get very expensive. My recommendation is to stick with the a la cart menu, and order one salad or sushi roll, and a classic entree that are hard to mess up - like the Chicken Teriyaki. Also, skip the cocktails and have Sapporo for only $2.95.

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...to bring your broke friend who doesn't want you to pay for them.

Otto
1 Fifth Avenue
At 8th Street

I spent two years of my life unemployed, so I know how much it blows to be invited out by a friend and look at the menu and see that the only thing you can afford is the free bread. And what makes it worse? When your friend sees your face, remembers that you don't have a job and says "Don't worry, I'll pay for it". I mean, it's a nice gesture, thanks - but I'd rather not feel like Oliver Twist.

So, as a friend, what can you do? Well, you have to pick a place that's comfortable, casual, but also doesn't look like you're trying too hard to find a cheap place for them (No Gray's Papaya).

Otto is celebrity chef Mario Batali's pizza and pasta place, that although serving delicious rustic food for incredibly cheap prices, the atmosphere is sophisticated, fun and even a little fancy. But don't be fooled by the crowds inside or the decor - Otto is famous for its $9 Pastas, $13 pizzas, and plenty of $35 bottles of wine.

Maybe it's just me, but good and cheap pizza is easy to find. Good and cheap pasta is difficult. So I say, skip the pizza and take full advatange of the pasta menu - where Mario Batali has put classic hearty flavors into beautiful and classic dishes - FOR 9 FREAKING DOLLARS. Where else are you going to get that? Nowhere. That's where.

Tip: The bar area is designed like an Italian train station, and during prime hours, tables are called on a giant flipping train schedule on the wall - so be sure to pay attention not to miss your train/table.

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...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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...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.

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...when your Italian grandmother comes up from Florida and wants "real Italian" even though she really means "fake Italian"

Carmines
200 West 44th Street
(Between 8th Ave and Shubert Alley)
2450 Broadway
(Between 90th and 91st St)

Here's something you could never tell your Italian grandmother - Italians don't call sauce "gravy", they don't call Manicotti "Manigot" and they never, ever eat Spaghetti with Meatballs. The Great Depression and good-old American marketing convinced Italians in Little Italy that cooking is about feeding as many people as possible with the cheapest ingredients as possible - and that's how "Italian-American Cooking" was born and it still exists itoday (See: Olive Garden).

Now, while there has been a great influx of authentic Italian restaurants in NYC, serving elegant and sophisticated dishes - when Nana comes up from Florida, what she really wants is Veal Parm, Fried Calamari, and of course some Spaghetti and Meatballs. So, pack up the kids, call the aunts, uncles, cousins and in-laws, and head to Carmine's.

Perfect for families, this Italian food factory produces a delicious menu that is 100% Italian grandma approved - from Chicken Marsala, to Shrimp Fra Diavolo, to yes, Spaghetti and Meatballs. With menus on the walls and all the dishes served family style, everyone gets to have a taste of everything, and the atmosphere is light and fun (No sommelier and nothing has truffle oil). And not to sound too much like your grandma - have some of the Rigatoni Country style, it's my favorite. You could use a little more meat on your bones, anyway.

Tip: The portions are BIG, so the 6th grade algebra is-

3 People = 1 Appetizer +1 Pasta + 1 Meat

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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 the best hangover cure in the city.

Resto
111 East 29th Street (Between Park and Lex)

Resto is an amazing Belgian bistro that aside from a great beer list, has one of the most perfect hangover cures known to man: The Hangover Pasta. Available for lunch and brunch, this "carbonara" spin consists of perfectly cooked spaghetti, delicious pieces of Vermont ham, a handful of shredded Gruyere cheese, a generous amount of black pepper, and topped with a fried egg. You heard me. With a spicy bloody Mary and pub style frites, any ills from partying the night before is quickly sent packing.

Tip: Some of the Belgian beers hit the 8% alcohol mark, which means:
1 beer = 2 beers.

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...for finally telling your best friend you're in love with them.

Elettaria

33 West 8th Street (At MacDougal St.)

It happened in Greek mythology, Renaissance paintings, Teen Wolf, Some Kind of Wonderful, and all the way up to Patrick Dempsey in Maid of Honor. Apparently falling in love with your best friend without even knowing it seems to happen a lot, so it's only fitting to recommend a perfect place to finally gather your courage and just say how you feel.

Elettaria is a perfect combination of a fun and romantic atmosphere. It's totally appropriate to meet your "best friend" for a great deal on happy hour drinks and delicious bar food, but when you say "Why don't we grab a table" it seamlessly switches to being a cozy and upscale restaurant with a beautiful open kitchen. The food is a tasty fusion of many influences from the middle east, Asia and Europe, and the menu is spectacular.

Fun Fact: The restaurant resides in the old "8th Wonder" music venue, where Jimi Hendrix used to play and the stage is now the open kitchen. In these days of rockstar chefs, I guess it makes sense.

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...for a pre-Broadway show dinner with your parents.

Becco

355 West 46th Street (Bewteen 8th and 9th)

Lidia Bastianich, of Lidia’s Italian Table on PBS, has an incredible restaurant that is perfect for parents, right in the heart of the Theater District. The atmosphere is warm and lively, and is classic New York. But the best part of Becco is the All-You-Can-Eat pasta special. For $22.95, you get THREE different pastas that are brought around by servers, scooped from sauté pans right onto your plate. There’s usually one ravioli, one thin pasta in a red sauce, and one thick pasta in a pesto or vegetable sauce.

Tip: You will LOVE one of the pastas, but you’ll be tempted to keep getting more of all three. Don’t. Pick your favorite, ditch the others and keep asking for more. It’s called pasta Darwinism, and they should teach that in schools.

Tip 2: Becco has a few hidden rooms, and an upstairs. Ask for table available in the sunroom if it's nice outside and ask for a table upstairs if you are looking for quiet.

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..for showing your ex that you're doing just great without trying too hard to show that you're doing just great.

Cowgirl
519 Hudson St.

When you see an ex for the first time since you broke up, you want a lively place with great food and better booze - and I think the best way to get over any post break-up awkwardness is with the Frito-Pie, corndogs and Margaritas at Cowgirl. Fun without being too cheesy and the food is classic southern comfort. You'll also be perfectly situated by the Meatpacking district and the west village, so you can easily continue the evening. But after 2 pitchers of Cowgirl strawberry margaritas, I can not be blamed if bad decisions are made.

Tip: In the early weekend hours this place can get little kid friendly. I have experienced many disgusted looks from mothers at my behavior at 2pm on a Sunday.

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