Jennifer Aniston Steps Out in Manhattan

The Derailed star hits New York City hot-spots, but keeps mum on Vince Vaughn

Her new movie is Derailed, but Jennifer Aniston’s life, after major bumps, seems back on track.

In New York City to promote the psychological thriller last week, a jovial Aniston, 36, hit Manhattan hot-spots, dining with friends at Babbo, checking out Columbus Circle with costar Clive Owen and attending a Halloween party at Nobu 57.

She even managed to keep a low profile in some spots. “I don t think many people eating here even recognized her,” a waitress at Babbo told PEOPLE.

Asked at a press conference about her split from Brad Pitt, Aniston took pains to say that, at heart, her experience was like that of millions of others. “This is nothing out of the ordinary. People walk through this stuff all the time,” she said. “I’m not a role model or poster child for how to do anything. I have a great family, a great support system, great friends.”

As for her relationship with Vince Vaughn, Aniston deflected questions during a taping of Larry King Live, which is set to air Nov. 8.

“Vince Vaughn, I love him,” King said. Aniston’s response: “Oh, God.”

King persisted, saying: “Come on, we love him,” to which the actress answered, “Yes, we love him. He’s great.”

“Is it serious?” King asked about the romance, but couldn’t get much from the former Friends star. “I’m not talking about it,” she said.

Asked about wanting children, Aniston answered yes, but not as a single mom: “I’d like to share that with someone.”

Meanwhile, on the same day that Aniston dined at Babbo, Vaughn played a principal at Chicago’s Amundsen High School as part of the city’s Public Schools’ Principal for a Day program.

The Wedding Crashers star visited 20 classes and coached English lit students rehearsing Sophocles’ Antigone.

“He acted out some of our lines,” said student Amer Grozdanic, 18. Added Ambria Taylor, 18: “He was really down-to-earth and a very good speaker…He talked to us like we were equals.”

The school’s actual principal, Carlos Munoz, said the students were thrilled to meet the actor – and they weren’t the only ones. “A lot of teachers thought he was hot,” said Munoz.

But when students asked Vaughn about his romance with Aniston he was less forthcoming. “I didn’t know the paparazzi were going to be here,” Vaughn joked. “We’re really good friends and she’s a really good person.”