'Game of Cones' Combines Tragedy With Delicious Ice Cream

Article by Matthew Hampton

We all know that you were wrist-deep in a pint of Chunky Monkey after the end of last week's episode of Game of Thrones. Don't deny it. If there was a dry eye anywhere in HBO's dominion after that then I'll be a Lannister's uncle.

Starting today, you can hoist your spoonful of mint chocolate chip proudly — and drop a scoop on the curb for your boy Robb Stark — in what has to be among the most clever viral marketing schemes of recent memory.

HBO and Foursquare are letting Brooklyn and lower Manhattan ice cream parlors call their bannermen in a winner-take-all fight for the "Iron Cone." It's "Game of Cones!" and more than a few local parlors have thrown down the gauntlet. Or scoop or foldy paper hat or whatever it is soda jerks throw down when it's time to duel dairy-style.

The winner will be the "House" with the most foursquare check-ins over the next two weeks.

Included in the throwdown are Brooklyn ice cream mainstays:

• Blue Marble Ice Cream, with locations in Cobble Hill and Prospect Heights.
• Ample Hills Creamery, with a location in Prospect Heights
• Van Leeuwen, with a location in Boerum Hill