New York Trivia Tuesday

Starting this month, if you're the first person to comment with the correct answer on Trivia Tuesday posts, you'll get 50% off the Amazing New York Race of your choice! Feeling smart? Then answer this week's challenge:

The Broadway musical Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark hasn't officially opened yet, and it's already set records in NYC. At $65 million dollars, it's the most expensive musical ever produced, and it has also had the longest preview period of any Broadway show; because they've had to wait so long, reviewers broke with tradition and filed their reports before the show's official opening night.

Director Julie Taymor has a history with Broadway and NYC: She had a major hit with The Lion King musical in 1997. Since then The Lion King has become a box office smash, with performances in France, Australian, Spain, and Taiwan, among others. It's opening in a new country in March 2011 - which is it?

a) South Africa
b) Brazil
c) Singapore
d) Indonesia

Check back on Thursday for the answer to this week's trivia question, and to see if you're the winner!

Our Top 5: Best Indian Food in NYC

From your corner Punjabi market to the fine-dining Indian fusion restaurants in chic neighborhoods, Indian food has become a staple of the NYC dining scene. It wasn't so long ago that dishes like chicken tikka masala were unfamiliar to most Americans, but now they've become craveable, beloved dishes for many New Yorkers. Where to get your fix? Try one of our top 5 best Indian spots in NYC, from the upscale to the street cart.

Amma

For traditional Northern Indian fare (think curries, biryanis, samosas, and the like), Amma is one of the best in NYC. Fans of Indian cuisine will find all their favorites here: The creamy chicken tikka masala simply melts in your mouth, and a eye-wateringly spicy lamb vindaloo still packs a bunch of flavor behind the heat. Don't be afraid to stray from the menu staples; little-known vegetable dishes like Manchurian cauliflower also shine. What's more, a seven-course tasting menu for only $50 is one of the best deals in town.

246 E 51st St, Manhattan; 212-644-8330

Saravanaas

You might be more familiar with Northern Indian food, but head to this section of Murray Hill and you'll encounter a wealth of South Indian options, whose menus feature crepe-like dosas (flat breads topped with delicious fillings, then rolled like a wrap). Of these Indian restaurants, Saravanaas is often hailed as the favorite. The food, all vegetarian, is flavorful, filling, and affordable; you can walk away stuffed without putting down more than a $20. The restaurant is so popular, they've had to expand into the space next door!

81 Lexington Ave, Manhattan; 212-679-0204

Southern Spice

Fans of Southern Spice have noted, "This is just straight up Indian food." There are no pretenses at this Queens spot, but its huge community of fans will tell you that it serves some of the best Indian food in NYC. Venture in, and you'll encounter piles and tandoori meat, scarfed down without utensils, and delicious platters of naan, a perennial favorite . Not sure what to get on the extensive menu, which bridges both Northern and Southern cuisines? Try the mutton, one of the house specialties.

143-06 45th Ave, Queens; 212-359-3486

Devi

When Devi hit NYC in 2005, it caused an uproar. The upscale, fusion-y touches seemed a world away from the traditional, homey cooking of many Indian restaurants. But Devi has endured to become known as one of the best Indian restaurants in New York, thanks to its subtle treatment of classical Indian flavors. Many dishes here seem familiar, but reveal a depth and a harmony that many other Indian joints miss. Don't miss the inventive cocktail list, and stop by for the lunch special: $25 to dine in, and only $15 to take away a box filled with a variety of dishes.

8 E 18th St, Manhattan; 212-691-1300


N.Y. Dosas

You may have passed this Indian food spot many times without giving it a thought. That's because N.Y. Dosas is not a restaurant; it's a cart in Washington Square Park, barely indistinguishable from the many hot dog vendors that populate NYC streets. But step up to this spot and get a meal that's worth a place among the best Indian restaurants in the city. Thiru Kumar serves his dosas, filled with potato curry, with a cup of delicious lentil soup and a intensely-flavored coconut chutney. Enjoy it in the park, or eat while you have a front-row seat to Kumar's cooking.

Washington Square Park, on the corner of W 4th Street and Sullivan St, Manhattan.

Image: savit keawtavee / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Where Was Robert Indiana's LOVE First Seen?

And the answer is ...

d) a Christmas card

Even though it's now an iconic image, featured in many sculptures around the world and the subject of a famous postage stamp, Robert Indiana first created LOVE for the New York Museum of Modern Art's Christmas card. The first sculpture was made six years later, in 1970, and can now be seen at the Indianapolis Museum of Art.

Congratulations to SistaAri, who correctly guessed our trivia answer! Email nicole@pogoevents.com to claim your prize.

New York Trivia Tuesday

Starting this month, if you're the first person to comment with the correct answer on Trivia Tuesday posts, you'll get 50% off the Amazing New York Race of your choice! Feeling smart? Then answer this week's challenge:

Does this sculpture look familiar? Created by famous American artist Robert Indiana, LOVE is one of the most iconic sculptures of the last hundred years. Reproductions have been made for over 30 cities worldwide; you can find them in Istanbul, Hong Kong, Lisbon, and on Sixth Avenue in NYC.

But before LOVE was a sculpture, it got its start in New York as just a drawing. Created by Indiana in 1964, what was the image first used for?

a) a magazine ad
b) a New York tourism logo
c) a postage stamp
d) a Christmas card

Check back on Thursday for the answer to this week's trivia question, and to see if you're the winner!

Best of New York: Valentine's Day Reservations

Haven’t made a Valentine’s Day reservation yet? It’s not too late! Although many favorite NYC restaurants book up early for the special day, there are still many great last-minute tables to be had. Whether you’re looking for a first date place, or want a special venue where you can pop the question, call up one of these restaurants to get a V-Day seat; as of this writing, they all had availabilities.

SHO Shaun Hergatt

When you think romantic dining experience, you probably don’t think of the Financial District. But SHO, which opened right next to the stock exchange last year, has been getting raves from diners and critics alike as one of NYC’s best fine dining experiences. The elegant Asian/French fusion fare gives famed restauranteur Jean Georges a run for his money; on Valentine’s Day, they’re offering a six-course prix fixe, so you can sample a variety of the chefs cuisine.

80 Broad St, Manhattan; 212-809-3993 shoshaunhergatt.com

Blaue Gans

For a more informal option, head to Blaue Gans, where the rib-sticking Austrian fare is accompanied by a dose of good cheer. The service is friendly, the atmosphere is lively, and the hearty helpings of everything from bratwurst to fried chicken are sure to put you in a good mood. What’s more, they’re serving their regular menu all night, so diners won’t have to worry about getting stuck with a pricy prix fixe just for Valentine’s Day (This also makes it a great choice for single diners looking to get away from kissing couples and big bills).

139 Duane St, Manhattan; 212-571-8880 kg-ny.com

Keens Steakhouse

Not only is a steakhouse a classic choice for Valentine’s Day fare, Keens is also a little trip back in time. A favorite of famous New Yorkers including Teddy Roosevelt, George M. Cohan, and J.P. Morgan, the restaurant has been around since before 1885, when it became a frequent hangout for the famous. Widely regarded as one of the best steakhouses in NYC, Keens timeless cuisine (and peerless selection of whiskeys) makes it a hot ticket for Valentine’s.

72 W 36 St., Manhattan; 212-947-3636 keenssteakhouse.com

Mehtaphor

If you’re a Food Network fan, you’ve probably seen Chef Jehangir Mehta before; he routinely blew away the competition on The Next Iron Chef, only losing out in the final round. His restaurant Graffiti, in the East Village, made him a star, but its cramped quarters and communal tables don’t make for a very romantic experience. Luckily, Mehta’s new restaurant, Mehtaphor, has more space, a relaxed vibe, and wonderful food, inspired by the Chef’s Indian background. The delicious desserts, which highlight Mehta’s past role as a pastry chef, make this a Valentine’s Day restaurant to remember.

130 Duane St, Manhattan; 212-964-4600 mehtaphornyc.com

Ai Fiori

NYC foodies will no doubt be familiar with Chef Michael White; three of his other restaurants in the city—Alto, Convivio, and Marea—have all earned Michelin stars. Ai Fiori is his new venture, and its refined Italian cuisine is sure to impress any date. The prix fixe is pricy (try $95 person), but will include everything from saffron gnocchi to the ultimate Valentine’s dish: a whole lobster.
400 Fifth Ave, Manhattan; 212-613-8660 aifiorinyc.com

What is the Name of New York's Groundhog?

And the answer is ...

b) Chuck G. Hogg

Officially known as Charles G. Hogg, but better known by the nickname Staten Island Chuck, Chuck has been NYC's unofficial and beloved weatherman. The groundhogs in his family have been predicting the weather for 30 years, the last 23 of which they've predicted accurately. Chuck is also known for another event: He bit NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg on Groundhog Day 2009.

Congratulations to Lynda, who correctly guessed our trivia answer! Email nicole@pogoevents.com to claim your prize.

New York Trivia Tuesday

Starting this month, if you're the first person to comment with the correct answer on Trivia Tuesday posts, you'll get 50% off the Amazing New York Race of your choice! Feeling smart? Then answer this week's challenge:

Time to break out the Bill Murray movies: Tomorrow is Groundhog Day! You may have heard of Punxsutawney Phil, the most famous weather-predicting groundhog, who makes his home in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania. But you probably haven't heard of New York's own resident groundhog, who is looked to for guidance by local meteorologists every Groundhog Day. Located in the Staten Island Zoo, what is the name of this NYC groundhog?

a) Buckeye Chuck
b) Chuck G. Hogg
c) Balzac Billy
d) General Beauregard Lee

Check back on Thursday for the answer to this week's trivia question!