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Updated: March 12, 2009, 4:37 pm	Share    Print    Email

Townline BBQ in Sagaponack plays host to "Pub Saloon Quiz Night" on Monday nights. Photos by Eileen Casey

Sagaponack - If you think you know the capital of Pakistan; the longest river in Scotland; what film won 11 Academy Awards with 11 nominations; and what novel's characters are named Heathcliff and Catherine - then head over to Townline BBQ in Sagaponack on Monday nights at 7 p.m. for their "Pub Saloon Quiz Night."

Catering Manager for Honest Man Restaurant Group Sigrid Benedetti coordinates and runs the Quiz night ensuring that everyone has a great time and is ambly rewarded with terrific prizes.

For the past three weeks, Sigrid Benedetti, the Catering Manager for Honest Man Restaurant Group, which includes not only Townline BBQ, but also Nick & Toni's, Rowdy Hall and La Fondita (owned by Mark Smith), has acted as host of this enjoyable evening.

With microphone in hand, Benedetti announces each question and suddenly the laughter and banter subside as the concentration and whispering in groups begins. Many a pen scratch-out or vigorous pencil erasure can be heard above the background music.

The 'Pub Quiz' is comprised of teams of no more than five players (although we were victorious with only three members, having started off the first week with just two in our group we quickly added an obviously bright fellow named Todd who was playing on his own). The game starts at 7 p.m., however latecomers can still join in and Benedetti will re-read the questions.

This past Monday's champs "The Agitators" (including yours truly) won not only four of the six individual rounds - but the whole game as well - with puffed out chests, bragging rights (at least for one week) and lots of fun prizes our swelled heads and full stomachs departed in victory.

The game consists of six rounds of 10 questions each, (only one round is a picture round). Questions range from general knowledge to thematic questions related to holidays or big events, such as Valentine's Day, President's Day, and the Academy Awards.

William Varona mans the bar on Mondays during Quiz Night and makes sure all winners receive their free round of drinks, appetizers or desserts.

Benedetti has made this a fun but competitive evening by offering a prize after each round for the team with the highest points. The prizes range from a round of drinks for your team, free appetizers or desserts, as well as presidential placements, boxes of chocolate, beer glasses, hats, and even jars of Townline's delicious BBQ sauce - hot or mild.

Some teams have been known to share their wings and 'poppers' with others scattered about the bar area - perhaps under the guise of peeking at the handwritten lists that must be turned in at the conclusion of each round, or perhaps just enjoying the camarderie of discovering like-minded new friends.

Benedetti quietly checks each team's answer sheet, announces the team winners of that round and what the correct answer is to each question. There were a few players observed sitting anxiously waiting for the results reminicent of school days and test taking. She graciously allows teams to double their points on only one round - so if you feel lucky that you did well on that particular round - check that double box before turning in your answers as it can result in up to an additional 10 points in your final tally. The team with the most points after six rounds wins the 'grand prize.'

Chef Sean Rafferty offers plenty of delicious items on the regular and pub menu, including chicken wings and ribs smothered in Townline BBQ's great sauce.

After a few rounds amid chatter, laughter and libations, the game can get serious because the grand prizes to date have included pre-fixe dinner certificates to Nick & Toni's with free movie vouchers for each team member, as well as $30 gift certificates to Rowdy Hall Restaurant, both in East Hampton.

So if you think you have your 'game on' using your noggin and friends or enlisting any 'eggheads' you can cajole into joining your team - you may end up winning yet another enjoyable evening out - this time for free.

When speaking with her at this past Monday's 'game night' Benedetti indicated that she puts together the quiz questions herself and utilizes many resources to offer a wide variety of subjects. "It can take up quite a bit of time organizing it, however everyone seems to enjoy it, and it brings people together."

William Varona ably assists Benedetti by manning the bar and processing the food orders. He also makes sure anyone who wins a food or drink 'prize' gets their reward quickly. Since the food is prepared under the watchful eye and experience of well-known Chef Sean Rafferty, the offerings are delicious, filling and with both a regular menu and 'pub menu' there are plenty of tasty items to chose from.

So study a bit - cram your head with current events, remember your civics, geography and history classes, reach back and recall the famous literature we've all probably read and perhaps forgotten - and see how you do on Monday nights at Townline BBQ.

Psst: (Islamabad, Tay, "Lord of the Rings," and "Wuthering Heights").