How to be a smooth operator in the NYC restaurant and nightlife scene

New York has some of the best restaurants, if you can get a table. Brian Mazza, the president of Paige Hospitality Group, has a few steps you can take to make things run smoothly. 

Mazza suggests calling ahead and complimenting the restaurant with specific references to menu items that you'd love to try. If all else fails, $100 slipped discreetly into the palm of the restaurant's host can go a long way in securing your table of choice. 

Once you've made it through the door, Mazza suggests developing a relationship as a regular at your favorite restaurant in order to guarantee VIP service in the future.

If you're going for a more casual night at a bar, Tad Carducci -- a partner in The Tippler and co-author of "A Lime and A Shaker," a book of Mexican-inspired cocktail recipes -- offers his tips to get the best service. 

For Carducci, it’s about forging a true relationship with the bartender. To start, introduce yourself with a handshake and greet the bartender with a smile rather than waving money in his or her face. Of course, if you'd like to be treated well when you return, don't forget to be generous with your tip.

Cheers!