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Starting April 1, 2008, Yelp is proud to announce that every time you “yelp,” an angel gets its wings. Oh, we’re also in talks to purchase the Brooklyn Bridge.
To paraphrase old Samuel Clemens, today is the day upon which we are reminded of what we are on the other three-hundred and sixty four.
Yelpers have been listing everything from great hole-in-the-walls in San Francisco to fabulous boutiques in NYC. Now, you can do a quick and easy search for any-list and every-list that might
itemize your fancy.
Bookstores in Boston, chowing down Chicago-style, auditory delight in Austin, Seafood in Seattle--you'll find it all. But enough with the alliteration, it actually doesn't make for the greatest search terms. Here are a couple more lists I found with the new List Search that I know I'll be using soon. Korean BBQ in LA, life's a beach in San Diego, cheesey cheese steaks in Philly. It's lists-of-lists-mania!
From the Welcome page, you'll see the most recently updated lists near you. Clicking on the "More" button next to those will bring you to the list search box. Take a gander, search around, you never know what list-y treasures you might find. And if you don't find it, it's never too late to make a list yourself!
The 26th Annual Asian American Film Festival (SFIAAFF) was in full swing last week, and Elite yelpers and guests made their way to Downtown San Jose this past Saturday afternoon to be a part of the movie magic. Yelpers including Gloria H, Jaye C, James G and Randy F arrived at Camera 12 Cinemas for Part One of the afternoon Elite event and were greeted by the "Cinema Sensei" as they walked through the theater doors. Half of the group had a smashing time watching the laugh-out-loud comedy "Ping Pong Playa," while the other half enjoyed the manga-based Japanese thriller "Death Note."
After the movies, guests were led over to the after-party celebration at Fahrenheit Ultra Lounge & Restaurant. The entertainment and fun continued at Part Two of the Elite Event, where guests noshed on chicken drumettes, samosas, crab cakes, chicken & beef satay, tuna tartare and mini desserts. Props to John-Michael C and Ed H who were among the wild group of yelpers who ordered bottle service at 5pm, did shots with the owner and stayed 6 more hours after the event was over!
Special thanks to Elite yelper Vicky L who brought ping pong balls and movie posters autographed by writer and star Jimmy Tsai of "Ping Pong Playa" which were taken home by lucky trivia winners.
A huge thanks to fellow Elite member LeRoid D (Marketing Coordinator of the film festival), as well as Assistant Festival Director Taro Gato, and Fahrenheit owners Danny Chu and Eric Haraga for working with us to make the event possible!
To see the marathon event, check out photos snapped by our very own Richard T, and the awesome "manga" designed by Ron Jeremy R!
On a bright March evening, Yelp elites old and new flocked to Great Bay for an indulgent happy hour of spectacular hors d'oeuvres and delightful Beija cocktails. Guests were greeted by charming servers holding plates teeming with incredible nibbles from the sea: oysters with lobster, tuna tacos, cod cakes and shrimp and scallop ceviche (as captured delightfully by Kara S below). Who knew how wonderful seafood tasted with rum?!
After sampling each of the three concoctions invented just for us by master mixologists, yelpers were to vote on their favorite, the winner of which would make it's grand debut on the spring drink list. The bartenders happily took to the challenge with gumption and pulled out all the stops, using unusual flavors and ingredients like Baerenjaeger honey liquor, Pimm's and Campari to create smashing cocktails that brought out the flavors of the Brazilian cachaca. Anastasia R was a fan of the Bee Keeper, while Liz D "obliterated my last strands of charm and social graces somewhere around Brazilian #6."
Everyone was in the finest of spirits by the end of the night; Susan N was chatting away like she's known everyone for ages, another yelper divulged that her current obsession is hairy Indian men - oh the things you'll learn at Elite events!
ENORMOUS thank yous to the wonderful, generous and lovely staff at Great Bay, you all made the evening so enjoyable and delicious! And of course the Beija guys for bringing in the tipple magic!
Get the rundown and find out which cocktail triumphed straight from yelpers' mouths (or tell us what you thought) here and peep these shots of revelry from Jeffrey H and Shannon B (click).
Cheers & S.Y.O.Y.,
Ligaya T
P.S. Want an invite next time? This has got all the answers.
To celebrate the start of spring and the re-opening of Equinox Restaurant’s atrium, the Yelp Elite Squad gathered last night for Yelp’s March Equinox.
Elite yelpers sampled items from Chef Todd Gray’s inventive menu including upside down onion soup with house bacon and gruyere, crispy fluke with black orzo and preserved lemon and raviolini of organic local veal with lentil ragout and shaved pecorino. Cookies from Equinox’s pastry chef, Melanie Parker, quickly disappeared once spotted.
Libby F, Laura V, Meredith M and others could be found sipping tea cocktails affectionately re-named “The Yelper” for the evening. The man behind the cocktails, Equinox’s master mixologist, Simo Amhandi was recently nominated “Restaurant employee of the year” by the Restaurant Association of Metropolitan Washington (RAMW). Winners won’t be announced until the Rammy Restaurant Awards gala next month, but yelpers have a clear favorite!
At the end of the night, DC’s lucky elites went home with their hot new '08 hoodies. What can we say? These days, it's all about being Elite!
A serious good-bye to winter happened on a lovely Wednesday before the first day of spring. Those spring showers almost came a day too early, as thunderstorms loomed for most of the morning, but all was clear in the evening. Thank goodness, as Atlanta yelpers could've all won 'best dressed!' The Food Studio, located in the historic King Plow Arts Center, let us take over the top loft and certainly left us wined and dined!
Michael of the Food Studio staff guided us all to the perfect drink to wet our whistles - there was the yelping dog, beer, red and white vino and even sangria. And there was even an appearance by the chef himself. (It turns out Kit F really does know everybody, including the chef!) Speaking of the chef, we nibbled on grilled beef hanger steak, orange, roasted beats and grapefruit, wild mushroom fritters and more!
We all felt David K's new haircut and Joel C doled out some serious "Snap & Bend" advice. Especially exciting to see some Elites out for the first time including the likes of Michelle C, Melissa B, Alicia W and Rebecca K. Also the mysterious Dio S and his awesome candid picture taking plus one Christina C. Also very exciting to see Carlos C and Christine C out and about! 
Yelp representation from cities from afar! We were lucky to have Miriam W from DC, and visiting yelpers Hen A and Holly T representing the West Coast from San Francisco and Los Angeles, respectively. Many a yelper had a newfound respect once they found out Holly and company walked all the way from Midtown!
Oh - and did we mention the Elite 2008 hoodies? The inaugural release! Much scrambling for the size with the perfect fit, and then a bit of modeling to make sure.
Big yelp love goes out to Stephanie M and Michael E for hosting us at the Food Studio! They also held a raffle for some simply faaaabulous prizes - big roller gift cards to dine again and the biggest bottle of wine this side of the Mississippi. Bellies full of all those tastes, we were all about to have one last night of hibernation before awaking the next morning to Spring 2008!
The Yelp Photo Booth, manned by Yelp's very own photo extraordinaire Richard T, with Joshua L ("Ms J") as the Creative Director of the evening, made a special appearance at Night School at the Oakland Museum of California last Thursday.College students and recent grads from all over the Bay Area made it out to the Oakland Museum to check out the Artist's of Invention exhibit, grab a cold Lagunitas beer, and listen to the rockin beats of Amoeba, Live 105 Radio, and local favorites Hottub and Fred Odell.
The highlight of the night was all of the amazing East Bay yelpers who came out to represent! Yelpers like Tina R, Maya S, Seong P, Patrick M, and Faithy L, dazzled the camera with their striking poses, trendy wear, and winning smiles. Mr. Winkle even struck some of his own adorable poses.
Judging by many of the hot shots, America's Next Top Model has some steep competition!
Argo Tea, normally an oasis of calm in the rush of downtown, was transformed into a quaint performance space on March 19, 2008 for Yelp Chicago's premier coffeehouse (ok, teahouse) event, Yelp CreativiTEA!
All the Chicago Yelp elite squad needed was a microphone, a bit of space and one fine MC (Kevin N from Austin, TX) to make this event a smashing success. Ok, and the stellar tea/vodka drinks courtesy of Argo Tea and VOX Vodka helped a bit, too. The Mojitea, Ice Pom Tea and Hibiscus Chillers spiked with VOX served up just the right kick to make this event memorable.
The crowd was serenaded by George R, who bravely sung not one, but two reviews to the cheers of the audience! Melek L and Kathleen O both showed off their acting skills, and Matt L and Katie H beat the jitters (with help from VOX Vodka) to read their hilarious reviews! Almost 25 reviews were read to the roar of the audience. Many kudos to the lovely Yelp crowd for cheering on the brave readers and enjoying the show...
Special thanks to Kari and the crew at Argo Tea for hosting the Yelp entourage, and providing the delicious tea drinks, snacks and desserts and to VOX Vodka for providing the "oomph." Much appreciated!
Looking forward to the next party!
SYOY!
Andrea W & Colleen C
What a classy evening... A good time was had by all who attended the Elite Event at Roka Akor on Monday night! The special menu created just for us included green apple shu in honor of Saint Patrick's Day. Yelpers were also treated to glass maze and wine, as well as a fine selection of food - oh the food! Yum! From crispy fried squid with chili and lime; softshell crab, cucumber, kim chi and chilli mayonnaise; butterfish tataki, white asparagus with yuzu shallot dressing; pork and golden scallop dumplings; and chicken skewers - there was something for everyone!
Elite yelpers and guests mixed, mingled,and made new friends during the two hour event... it flew by! We can't wait until the next one! The parting gift was a special surprise for the lucky Elites and several even modeled their hoodies for the camera...
Special thanks to Jeff, Karen, and Carson from Roka Akor - we all felt like VIPs for the evening; you went above and beyond! Thank you also to Andrew from FilmingArizona.com, our photographer for the evening.
Until next time, SYOY!
xoxo,
Gabi K.
This past Satuday, the Yelp Elite descended on upon the picturesque patio of Guaymas in celebration of the Tiburon International Film Festival for our first North Bay Yelp Elite event. Some came by ferry, others by car and some even walked over, but no matter how each yelper found their way -- everyone was ready to party!
Despite forecasts of rain, the weather held up and yelpers like Phil H, Tyler W, Tinna H and Andi T were able to enjoy the
warmth of the heat-lamps beneath a picture-perfect sky. As the night progressed, yelpers like Joshua L and Ted B headed on inside Guaymas to strike star poses with their new Yelp Elite hoodies. Others found their place in line, eager to sample Guaymas' salsa, cheese quesadillas and famous tacos. Throughout the night, yelpers enjoyed beautiful flamenco dancing, brimming cups of Barefoot Champagne and wine and kickin' La Pinta pomegranate tequila cockatils.
Once 9:30 p.m. rolled around, it was time to head on over to the Yelp-sponsored movie of the festival -- American Fork. Not only were yelpers able to get a sneak preview of the touching comedy, but join in an enlightening Q&A with producer Jeremy Coon. As the night came to a close, many yelpers made their way over to the Yelp shuttle for a special Candice D tour of San Francisco. Other Yelp Elites grabbed their Festival guides, eager to come back and use their complimentary ticket vouchers to explore more of the amazing films the Tiburon International Film Festival has to offer.
A big thank you to Edson and the rest of the staff at Guaymas for the beautiful space and delicious food. An especially big thank you to Siamak S (the Associate Director of the festival) and Rachel C for helping to put the event together and introduce the Yelp Elite to such a cool film fest!
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