Yelp Community Blog

Yelping At The Top Of The World

November in Chicago never looked so good! The great folks at The Skydeck at Willis Tower, hosted November Yelp Official Office Hours. Yelpers were able to take in a 360 degree view of the city (and near-by suburbs) from 1350 feet in the sky. The more daring of the Yelp crew were able to step out on "the Ledge" - a clear portion of 'deck that offers a transparent view down below to the street.  

This Office Hours event was not all about great heights and amazing views. Yelpers got to interact & catch up with each other, nosh on brownies and cookies, drink coffee, pick up Yelp schwag, and go home with a flash drive of professional photos taken from the very 'deck on which they stood. But, wait! There's more! This being the month of Thanksgiving, every yelper who attended Office Hours was asked to bring a donation for the Greater Chicago Food Depository. Yelpers stepped up to the plate and hit it out of the park. Not satisified to bring only a canned good a piece, multiple yelpers brought mulitple items. There were so many donated goods, the bounty would only fit in an oversized receptacle. You can read all about the entire evening here.

Great views, great people, great deeds - see ya at the top, Yelp!

Johnny T

New York Elites Clown Around at Carnival!

Step right up to the most useful, funny and cool show on earth! Yes, yelpers the Carnival has come to town and 500 of the yelpiest elites in NYC had run of the show this past Friday evening as the doors opened above Bowlmor Lanes to reveal a big top in the middle of the city.

 

Guests got giddy with Depaz Rhum, whether it was their Gravitron Daquiri or savage Sword Swallower. For the beer bellies, plenty of Magic Hat was on tap proving that magic doesn't always prevent a hangover. Once folks got a handle on their thirst it was time to test skills at "Who Darted?", "Krazy Kats" or one of the other 10 Coney Island carny games. "Steaming up the dance floor, Brett W doing the forbidden dance: Mr. Roboto" in the Fun House while Mariana L is still "nurturing the little goldfish that her hubby won at the fishbowl ping pong ball toss."

Some Elites even went wild with the tattoo booth, Jess H certainly woke up with a temporary "Yelp Love" reminder. If games and body art weren't enough, Yelpers were entertained by Simply Steven's Magic multiplying bunnies and card tricks along with a mighty heighty stilt-walking juggler. Whew, what a circus!

Check out the awe-inspiring photos, revel in the reviews and tap into talk for the latest gossip!

Until next time, SYOY (See You On Yelp)!!

- Jane K.

Twin Cities Yelpers Get In The Holiday Spirit @ The View

Ho, Ho, Ho! The MSP Yelp Elite Squad was in full holiday spirit on Wednesday night when over 80 MSP Yelp Elites and their guests were treated to a holidazzling evening at The View Restaurant in Calhoun Beach Club. From turkey burgers, sausage sliders, short rib pasta, avocado pizza, bruschetta, BLT sammies, fresh salsa, brownies and tiramisu and much, much more, we stuffed ourselves just like Santa. Thankfully, there were two delicious wines to wash it all down with. YUM!

In addition to all the mix and mingling, yelpers bedazzled stockings throughout the evening. And Kate C's cat now has the most pimped stocking ever! Meeeoow! The best part? These stockings were stuffed with gift cards from businesses like The View, Crave, ReVamp, and Mullberry's! Those will sure make holiday shopping a wee bit more bearable!

While this was the final Elite Event for 2009, fret not! We're gearing up for a fabulous 2010 -- so stay tuned!

 





 

Austin Yelpers Party Like It's 1963 @ The Highball!

It was the best kind of time warp: Austin yelpers dressed to the mid-century nines as they channeled their inner Mad Men favorites at Austin's newest kitschy favorite, The Highball. We sang in themed karaoke rooms. We bowled like crazy. We sipped Makers Mark and Harpoon brew. We put our best face forward in Annie Ray's photo booth and in front of Mark C's roving shutter. We kicked it to DJ Greg Most's soul happening. We celebrated Kimberly K's winning costume for the gals (of so many cool ones) and Justin B's victorious suit for the guys (of so many hip ones), but ultimately, soaked in the time we spent together in an amazing room. With this gang, even the early sixties felt mod!

Phoenix Yelpers Get Fresh At Wildfish

Phoenix Yelp's Catch Of The Day OYE took place on Tuesday evening, November 17th on the sleek newly redone outdoor patio at Wildfish Seafood Grille. Elite yelpers and guests sampled the latest and greatest appetizers from their menu including Apple Wood Smoked Bacon-Wrapped Gulf Shrimp, Mini Lamb Chops, Maryland Style Crab Cakes, Ahi Tuna Tartare, and Endive with Warm Wild Mushroom and Goat Cheese. There were fresh oysters and oyster education as well, and of course plenty of adult beverages provided by Finlandia Vodka and Five Rivers Winery.

Shannon M so eloquently summarizes the evening: "Two fins up for this fantastic OYE at Wildfish! Yelpers were drinking like fish and circling the appetizer-bearing waiters like sharks." Lucky raffle winning yelpers of the evening were Jane A and Lorena L who went home with prizes provided by Wildfish and Brand X!

Check out the awesome pics taken by our very own yelper, Jacqueline H and scope all the reviews of the night's festivities. For more chatter, hit up the talk thread and mark your calendars, the next elite event, on December 5th will be posted very soon.

Thanks again to Keith, Mario, and all of the staff at Wildfish for going above and beyond for the local Yelp Community... we'll be back to visit you soon!

Until next time, SYOY,

Gabi M

Yelp Phoenix Community Manager

Yelp Gets Prettified In Los Angeles!

LA's elite ladies are so popular that they're sure to be invited to countless holiday parties this season. Before they hit the town, they indulged in not one but two pre-holiday elite events to help them get prepared and pretty!

 

Sunday was a ladies-only Beauty Bash at Benefit Cosmetics, where elites received eyebrow waxes, eyelash tints and makeovers while nibbling on bites from La Grande Orange and sipping beverages from Barefoot Wine and Bubbly. When they weren't getting gorgeous, the ladies received lip balm fortune readings from Psychic Stephanie of Los Angeles Mar Vista Psychic.

Rosa J says, "What a great Idea, to have girls hang out on a Sunday night, drink wine and bubbly and get your makeup done!" Teresa R raved about the desserts from La Grande Orange, including the "biggest, most delicious cookies ever!"

The next night, the ladies replenished their wardrobes at a Cocktail Dress Swap at the Whiskey Blue in the W Hotel Westwood. This time, they noshed on crab cakes and empanadas as well as more delicious wine from Barefoot Wine and Bubbly while they traded their fancy frocks. All of the dresses that weren't traded were donated to Women Helping Women, an organization dedicated to empowering low-income women to achieve self-sufficiency through employment success.

We think Pauline C said it best: "Free drinks, free finger foods, and free dresses. Ummm what's not to like?"

Check out the photos from Eric Powell of Eric Powell Photography for the Beauty Bash here and the Cocktail Dress Swap here. And be sure to keep an eye out for this year's holiday party, where the ladies are sure to show off their new dresses and hot makeovers. Not to worry—boys are allowed!

Silicon Valley Elites Party Like Rockstars!

Last night, Silicon Valley Elites were Livin' on a Prayer at Temple Bar & Lounge in Downtown San Jose, confirming that they do rock out with their yelp out!

On hand for yelpers to nosh on were tasty finger tortas and homemade chips from La Torta Gorda, and Russian specialty nibbles from Rosemary and Thyme. Guests also sampled shots of Purity Vodka and Sonnema Herb Vodka, and enjoyed wine tastings from Hallcrest, Gazela Vinho Verde and Grao Vasco Red. However, it didn't take much liquid courage for most yelpers to hit the mic!

Archie G kicked off the karaoke by channeling the late great Godfather of Soul and shaking his money maker like a Sex Machine. And we will never forget the South Bay Crew's earth-shattering rendition of "Total Eclipse of the Heart." At the end of the night, Michael H and Jeannette Z were crowned the King and Queen of Karaoke for their bangin' performance of "Love Shack." And of course, the "Most Likely to be a Van Halen Roadie" Award went to Bobby L(e Roth)!

If you weren't able to make it, or just want to relive the epic night, read all about it here, and make sure you peep the pics from ZatPhoto on Flickr!

Until the next event, rock on, SV Elites!

Eat, Drink and be Gamey @ Players!

'Twas a night to remember at Players Arcade & Sports Grill as San Francisco's Yelp Elite Squad invaded the usually-touristy Pier 39 area of the city for food, fun, drinks... and arcade games! From shoot 'em up games, to sports challenges like basketball and football, to ski-ball and snowmobile games with vibrating seats (a favorite among the X chromosomes in attendance), it was a blast to the past as our collective inner-children enjoyed some carefree fun on Hump Day!

Libations from Han Soju, Kenwood wine and Widmer beer set the tone for the evening, while tasty bites like Philly Cheese Steak sliders, garlic fries and club sandwiches (just to name a few) from the kitchen at Players made sure everyone had enough energy to withstand arcade madness!

Big ups to the entire staff at Players, especially Steve and James, the owners of San Francisco's only arcade and sports grill.

For pictures of the event, click here! To check out reviews of the party, click here!

 

Yelp Elites Come Early & Speak Easy

The start of Prohibiiton marked a time in America when underground speakeasy bars reigned supreme. Where the bon vivants quietly celebrated behind the unsuspecting walls of their password-guarded watering holes. On Monday and Tuesday night, Yelp elites reignited the old-school tradtion and filtered into Philadelphia's modern speakeasy, The Franklin Mortgage & Investment Co.

Michael W says it best: "Contained behind the heavy black door is a world unlike any other in Philadelphia. It hearkens back to a better time when leisure was valued over all, especially work, and indulgence in the finer vices was not only fashionable, but encouraged." It was under this inconspicuous setting that Philadelphia's most prolific yelpers celebrated in most exclusive way possible. The Franklin's crafty mixologists concocted classic cocktails with origins dating back to the 1800s: Old Fashioneds, dazzling daquiris, and sparkling Seelbachs. Thanks to our liquor sponsor, Jim Beam, for providing Old Grandad 100-proof bourbon and Cruzan rum for the impecable libations.

"It's not everyday you get to practice your password whispering skills," but for those, like Brian C, who managed to remember "piccadilly" or "liquidity," they were met with an ambiance fit for The Great Gatsby. 

As they tucked themselves into the dim-lighting and leather banquettes, elites imbibed on the classics and enjoyed flawless service. As Jim H can attest, "everyone who worked here fit the part: eye pleasing, efficient, knowledgeable, friendly...my opinion of them only solidified the more libations they provided me with." Yelpers didn't leave empty handed either, their elite metal lunchboxes hit the passenger seat for the ride home. What does Walter K think? " Definitely a five star event."

 

Check out more of the speakeasy snaps taken by our very own yelper, Michael F (Ferry), and scope all the recaps of the night's festivities. For more chatter, hit up the official Talk thread, and mark your calendars, the next elite event, on December 8th, is going to get UGLY...hey, we can't always be classy.

Until next time, SYOY,

Monica S

Yelp Philadelphia Community Manager

Yelp Miami Spices It Up!

Over 600 yelpers, a fire dancer, belly dancers, a 6ft sand fire castle, a champagne ice bar, and more than 20 sponsors convened in Miami, Saturday night on the Mandarin Oriental's private 20,000 sq ft, white sand beach overlooking Brickell's glittering skyline. Plus yelpers raised over $1,000 for the local charity, Women of Tomorrow. 

 

Yelp Miami crossed onto Brickell Key and into the luxurious Mandarin Oriental on Saturday, November 14th for an evening under the stars. The night was a feast of epicurean treats that stretched from Italian fare to Indian curries and Chinese dim sum delights as Yelp went Marco Polo on guests' taste buds with some of Miami's top restaurants serving up hearty samples. To accompany the noshes were cocktails (including a make your own cocktail station), champagne, beer, and of course to end on the perfect note, coffee.

   

Wondering who supplied this wonderful feast? The Mandarin Oriental, MaiTardi, Baklava Factory, Thira, Sushi Maki and Indian Palate provided signature dishes, while Two Girls and a Cupcake, Sugar Girl Bakeshop, and Todo Frio Ice Cream provided a sweet touch. As for drinks, Artisan Brands, the first and only artisanal distilled spirits distributor in Florida, brought some of their much-loved spirits out to help liven up the festivities including Gran Sierpe Pisco, Ron Cartavio (rum), Nicholas Gin, and Touch Vodka. Plus, they provided a make your own cocktail station. As for beer that was all Peroni. Guests were able to get their second wind thanks to HER energy drink and to the Segafredo coffee bar. And NCL's Epic champagne ice bar that kept the Moët ice cold and flowing. Don't forget all the free services including hand massages from the Spa at the Mandarin Oriental and eyebrow threading from Brownes while Miami Henna Company left a mark on plenty of yelpers. Just in case any guests wanted to add an extra special touch, Bijoux Turner provided hundreds of complimentary accessories to party goers. 

 
DJ Ace kept guests moving all night with a blend of Bollywood tunes and hip-hop hits. A troupe of belly dancers from Belly 2 Abs shook their hips all nights; they even got the yelpers in on the action while a fire dancer from Pyro Fusion lit up the skies with some red-hot flaming choreography. Also keeping it hot, hot, hot was the 6ft tall sand castle set on fire by Sentinels of Sand. Arguably, the best reward was raising money for Women of Tomorrow. 

    

A huge bow to the Mandarin Oriental for being the best hosts anyone could have the pleasure of working with and giving yelpers the five star treatment. And a round of thanks to the superb Yelp team for making it all come together Kevin L, Miriam W, Monica S, Tara L, Chantelle K, and last never least Leighann F. 

All the photos of this spectaclar night were provided by Jipsy, the NefariousGirl herself. If you didn't make the event but still want to donate to Women of Tomorrow you can do so right here. If you attended the party and want to share your personal highlights, type out your thoughts here. Prefer to be let in on the night's inside jokes? The laughs are still happening on the talk thread.

Still want more? You're in luck! Yelp Miami has a lot more coming at you.

I'll see you at our next event but as always until then I'll SYOY.

Cheers!

Maria A

Denver Yelpers Tempt the Fates with a Boisterous Bash on Friday the 13th

More than 500 Denver yelpers braved the wintery weather and tested their super(yelper)stitions at the swanky Jet Hotel and Jet Lounge last Friday with a celebration we’re sure even Jason Voorhees would agree topped the charts.

 

Psychics Wade Wilson and Tobi Titchener tapped into their spirit guides to predict yelpy futures, whle Jay Kratz of Sacred Space Bodywork took the edge off with relaxing massage sessions. DJ Mada kept the crowd jumping, and thirsts were quenched with tasty brews from Deschutes Brewing in the form of Mirror Pond and Jubelale beer. Rain Vodka, Dr. McGillicuddy’s, Buffalo Trace Bourbon, and Tequila Corazón provided the lucky libations, with snacky-snacks from Pizza Republica, Enzo’s End Pizza, Lovely Confections and Cookies in Bloom. 

No party would be complete without some photographic evidence! Alison Portis Photography, Moodeous Photography and Anne James Photography provided snappy snaps all night. Missed the party? Want more deets? Check out the reviews and photos.

Until next time, SYOY!

Laura L.

Filling up with the Horn of Plenty--Vancouver Yelp's Cornucopia!

Dressed in their autumn-esque best, Vancouver yelpers filled Jacana Art Gallery on a cold and clear Thursday night to partake in their own Yelp Cornucopia. And they didn't come empty handed. Bringing pumpkin inspired desserts that left mouths watering and some definite sugar highs, Reena M, Rachael T, Michael C, Dave S, Alexis C and Natasha L deserve a very big thank you for all of their tasty bakings!

The mimosa bar fizzed with creative inspirations for the savoury and sweet fans. Luisa D “loved the raspberry/sparkling wine cocktail and was very impressed with the creative Guinness/sparkling wine combo. Who woulda thunk?”

SPUD's nacho buffet and Cocoa Nymph's pumpkin and raspberry chocolates kept yelpers satiated while we partook in "The Red Thread" Art Exhibit by Soizick Meister that lined Jacana's walls. "Make It--Handmade Revolution" merchants rocked the socks off with local handmade goodies by Wondercake, Revamped By Jenn, Ole, It's Your Life and Plantscapes for wearing their wares so well.

Dani B said it best, “Good drinks, good times and great art. How could I ask for more?” The horn of plenty was pretty full of fun if you ask us.

Feast on the reviews, check out Raymond O's photos (big thanks to you too!) and until the next time Vancouver, SYOY!

Crystal H

Savory Sexy Sweet: The Yelp Food-Porn Art Party!

Did you know that many of the Yelp Elite are also porn stars? Food-porn stars, that is! The secret came out last night, as over 200 of P-Town's sexiest food fans came out to the Pearl District's newest and hottest gallery-style event space, Urban Studio, for a night of deviously sexy food-porn fun. Portland's Yelp Elite Squad submitted food-porn in both photo format and in real life in the form of sinfully sexy bourbon-based desserts for Yelp's first ever food-porn art party!

 

Yelpers and guests enjoyed mingling in a swanked-up gallery setting, sipping on amazing Orange Manhattans and a Mark n' Stormys, imbibing in Bear Flag wines, tossing back some delicious Ninkasi Oatis Oatmeal Stout, Believer Double-Red, and Total Domination IPA, and sampling some tasters of Tribeca Light pre-mixed cocktails! Add in a fantastically delicious pot of smoked-cheddar fondue from Urban Fondue (paired with hearth-baked bread), and some seriously sexy beats by DJ Saltfeend (Ed lover, to some) and it's no surprise that the party was hoppin' from the get-go!

 

Yelpers, both Elite and plus-ones, like Bob S., Scrantz L., Katrina W., Jason L., Joshua C., Connie C., and Jacob G. entered photos of amazingly savory, sweet, and sexy food into Yelp Portland's inaugural food-porn photo contest. With the entries hung on the wall and happily imbibing Yelpers voting away, it was not long before solid winners emerged victorious in each category. Katrina W's "Gnocchi" stole top honors in the savory category, while Jacob G's "Sausage" drove it home in the sexy group, and Scrantz L's "Roses with Rose Sorbet" was the sugar on top of the sweet entries. Needless to say, all of the entries were downright delectably sexy!

While the Yelp Elite and gusts voted for their favorite photos, it was time to do some judging for our Maker's Mark bourbon bake-off! Fifteen enthusiastic Yelpers baked some form of amazing dessert including bourbon and brought entries down to the event. Our three local celebrity judges, Walt from Pine State, Lisa from Cupcake Jones, and Cody from Maker's, sat down and dug in to the plethora of desserts, eager and ready to turn the tables around and write some reviews of our own Yelpers! While we're sure they were all five-star raves, four deserts stood out above and beyond the rest: Jaime C's Boozy Cheesecake, Kade M's Pear and apple crisp with bacon and bourbon creme anglaise, and Kari M's bourbon-chocolate cupcakes with bourbon ganache, and Anna B's Bourbon Poached Pears!. With numerous entries including three huge bourbon-chocolate cakes, the decision-making was not an easy process! Kudos to all who took the time to make some desserts. The judges were seriously impressed by all of the entries!

With so many Yelpers working so hard to provide visual and edible entertainment for the night's festivities, it goes without saying that the winners of the food-porn art contest and the bake-off walked off with some amazing prizes including Make Me Yelp hot-pants, wines from Bear Flag, beers from Ninkasi, bourbon from Maker's Mark, Happy Hour and Wine Country Guidebooks from Cindy Anderson, and more! But of course, the prize-winning was not restricted to those who worked for it, everyone was eligible to enter to win more awesome prizes like tickets to the upcoming Tegan and Sara show at the Keller, tickets to Junk2Funk fashion show, an awesome Tribeca Light prize pack, and a variety of mystery prizes! Let's just say that quite a few people walked away with some serious loot!

All and all, it was a swankalicious, food-pornographic evening to remember, and that's thanks in huge part to: Via from Urban Studio, Morgan from Ninkasi Brewing, Cody from Maker's Mark, Heather from Bear Flag Wines, Kerry from Tribeca Light, the awesome folks at Urban Fondue, the amazing bartenders and staff, Ed the DJ, Hilary B the photographer, Walt and Lisa, our awesome judges, Cindy Anderson, and of course, the people without whom this would never have been possible - the Portland Yelp Elite Squad, which reminds me on a daily basis that they are best damn Yelpers in the world.

Don't believe me? Just check the reviews and the photos!

I hope your 2009 Yelp Year was as great as mine, and I look forward to the 2010 Yelp Elite social season!

Until next time, SYOY!
--Don B.

Yelp Boston's Sunday Funday Brunch

After waving goodbye to Summer last month, we decided it was high time for a laidback Sunday event to make our transition into the cooler months and get some serious R&R before the holiday season hits! And wouldn't you believe our luck? Sixty-five degrees and sunny at our November Sunday Funday Brunch event with Chef Brian Poe at The Rattlesnake!

Kicking off at noon, Elites and guests were welcomed into The Rattlesnake with jalapeño cornbread and freshly muddled cocktails made with Beija Cachaça and Mionetto's perfectly bubbly iL Prosecco. Our lazy afternoon continued as Chef Brian Poe pulled out all the stops with his dualing brunch buffet stations, featuring American classics alongside tex-mex favorites! The Bloody Mary Eggs Benedict caught the eye of Christopher M, Caitlin C swooned over the spicy pulled chicken and Deanna D dug the crab and avocado bites!

Check out all of the mouth-watering photos, captured by our very own Tatsu I and jot down your own thoughts about the event here! We think Jason B sums it up nicely: "This is not the Rattlesnake you remember. They've grown up, re-invented, re-invigorated, and hired a smashing new chef who rocks." We think so too, Jason!

Till next time, Boston!

Cheers,
Leighann F

Toronto Yelpers Go Burrito Crazy At Chino Locos!

This past Friday night hordes of hungry yelpers headed to the not-yet-open full service Chino Locos in the village to sample some fierce fusion burritos. Yelpers didn't know what hit them when offered a host of stuffed and grilled burritos by resident luchador La Aguila and his lovely assistant. Chow mein, Korean beef and edamame in a burrito? An unexpected host of ingredients turned out to be quite the tasty combo!

Despite full mouths and bellies, the conversation flowed throughout the evening as 80 yelpers checked out the new digs and tapped into the Mill Street Tankhouse Ale keg served by familiar face Kasey C. A special thank you to owners Victor and Minh, and the sassy Chino Locos staff for hosting our group and grilling up hundreds of burritos at a feverish and unstoppable pace throughout the evening.

We witnessed Bijan V leave the party with a burrito baby and overheard Melissa F espouse the virtues of the much-loved (but absent) blueberry burrito. We even overheard some custom orders being bandied about as yelpers put their tastebuds to the test with extra helpings of salsa verde and chipotle sauce. Dave O put his keg-wielding skills to the test while some others bonded over their Movember-inspired mustaches. Suspiciously absent were perfect attendance yelpers Katrina L, Jay G and Hana B.

Check out the gorgeous photos taken by elite yelper Neil Ta and all the recaps of the night's festivities. For more chatter, hit up the official Talk thread.

Chino Locos officially opens for business on Monday, November 10 from 11am-11pm!

SYOY,
Kat F.
Toronto Community Manager