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Test Your NYC Smarts!

Friday, February 08, 2008

Join us for a multi-borough listener quiz! Test your knowledge of New York City trivia with Rob Tallia and Jane Pirone, co-founders of The Not for Tourists Guide. Call us at 212-433-9692 if you think you have the answer to the quiz questions.

Guests:

Jane Pirone and Rob Tallia

Comments [22]

Stanley Sluszka from Park Slope

Where are the answers ? Don't leave us hanging.

Feb. 10 2008 08:40 AM
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sarah from Brooklyn

I agree with some of the other comments here...was listening to the podcast of this show and was appalled by how snide and snobby these NFT people are. Makes me not want to read their books.

Feb. 09 2008 12:21 PM
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anonymous from washington heights

from the NYTimes, November 19, 1995:

"McSORLEY'S OLD ALE HOUSE has long claimed the title of the oldest surviving saloon in New York, giving its date as 1854. But now new research by Richard McDermott, an amateur researcher, gives the title to the Bridge Cafe, in the sagging wooden building at 279 Water Street, which he has dated to 1847 -- and he's still working backward.

Mr. McDermott, a retired John Adams High School science teacher, has always been interested in the history of New York and went on walking tours with his late wife, Joan. In 1987 he began a quarterly, The New York Chronicle, filling it with book reviews, preservation editorials and reprinted articles from period sources. But his publication has not concentrated on original research, and Mr. McDermott genially describes himself as an absolute novice."

Personally I consider the Bridge Cafe's status as oldest continuous bar as highly disputed and not as "for sure" as these guests, Tallia and Pirone assert. Mr. McDermott has been involved in a row with McSorley's bar for years now, and his status as an objective historian has been questioned.
After several years of working for a tourist/visitors guide publisher, I would like to inform listeners that you must read/believe all statements with a degree of questioning and your own additional research.

Feb. 08 2008 07:50 PM
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Roxanne from Staten Island

I too was bothered by the snobbery regarding the "other" boroughs. Let's face it, given a choice, lots of us would choose to live in Manhattan for convenience and ammenities but not all of us can. That's why Brooklyn is what it is today. And why one day the authors may have to write a Staten Island or Bronx edition.

Feb. 08 2008 02:51 PM
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Ben from Jamaica, Queens

Anyone? No one?

Feb. 08 2008 02:05 PM
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Ben from Jamaica, Queens

Hey:

This is 'Jamaica Ben'. RE: my bonus question.
While answering 'Monopoly', I was thinking it might actually be some goofball game like 'Chutes and Ladders'.
I could'nt get the correct answer, as I was talking to an NYC rep.
What was the answer to the location, plaque (?)
in Jackson Heights (35th Ave and WHAT ST)?

Feb. 08 2008 01:27 PM
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ken from bronx

what snobbery! The first question ("oldest bar in new york") is invalid; there is no historical consensus on the answer, so the only way to answer "correctly" would be to read their book! What utter non-sense...

Feb. 08 2008 01:05 PM
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liberty Howell from park slope

i think the landmarked tree is the camperdown elm in prospect park
and the boardgame was scrabble?

Feb. 08 2008 12:53 PM
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gabbneb

There are three Michelin-starred restaurants in Brooklyn, not two. You forgot Dressler.

Feb. 08 2008 12:49 PM
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gary from NYC

RE: oldest bar, Pete's Tavern is claiming that honor,
not the Bridge Cafe.

"Pete's Tavern first opened its doors in 1864. From that date to today, it has remained open. This achievement makes Pete's both an official historical landmark and the longest continuously operating bar and restaurant in New York City."

Feb. 08 2008 12:41 PM
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ab

well...I would agree with the "never leave the city" comment in regards to moving to the suburbs....sorry...snobby I know...but i agree!

Feb. 08 2008 12:36 PM
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Rosemary from Baldwin, NY

Isn't it Pete's Tavern on Irving Place?? can someone tell me if that's it, because I had to get out of the car to go to work and I never heard if my answer was correct.

Feb. 08 2008 12:35 PM
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Mark from Brooklyn

Totally the Ear

Feb. 08 2008 12:35 PM
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Nelson from NYC

I thought it was the White House Tavern.

Feb. 08 2008 12:34 PM
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Tea from Brooklyn

Is anyone else really bothered by the tone of snobbery that the NFT folks are exhibiting? Commenting on the light treatment of Queens with, "Well, it IS Queens." Snidely snickering "Never!" when asked about covering the Bronx or Staten Island. "Never leave the city..." They may consider themselves the purveyors of "cool" or "worthy" but I find this pretension highly suspect and unsavory. And I own 2 NFT guides!

Feb. 08 2008 12:34 PM
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John from rego park

Old town bar - best burgers in city!

Feb. 08 2008 12:28 PM
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leah from NYC

Bridge Cafe

Feb. 08 2008 12:28 PM
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Illyse from Chinatown

Bridge Cafe is the answer

Feb. 08 2008 12:27 PM
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suzanne from NYC

Pete's Tavern on Irving Place is the oldest operating bar in NYC

Feb. 08 2008 12:26 PM
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Brendan from Manhattan

Isn't the oldest operating bar in NYC the "Ear Inn" on Spring St.?

Feb. 08 2008 12:24 PM
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Nancy from New York

Oldest operating bar:

Is it the Ear Inn? ?

Feb. 08 2008 12:22 PM
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Leigh

Old Town

Feb. 08 2008 12:22 PM
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