Yelp Community Blog

Arabian Nights in San Francisco

Bay area yelpers made it out to the Yelp Elite event at Cossu last evening for an exotic night of Moroccan cuisine, booty shaking Arabic beats, a daring sword swallower, hypnotic belly dancers, exotic cocktails, and cold beers.

Yelpers lounged in low seats in the rouge colored Moroccan tent to meet new and old yelpers, have henna applied and get their palms read. Kristin E, Tanya P, and Christopher K, to name a few - all made it out for the festive night.  David D even showed up in full costume! Rebekah K and Adam G owned the dance floor with their amazing dance moves and place was still grooving well past the end of the event.

A huge thanks to Cossu for the delicious bites, and the lovely space, Henna Garden for the impressive entertainment, Snow Queen Vodka for the smooth cocktails, and Red Stripe for the tasty cold beers!

Looking forward to seeing everyone at the next Yelp Elite event!

Yelping Yelping 1 2 3...

Mic check, 1...2...is this thing on?

Swing House recording studios in Hollywood, California has seen some of the most influential bands of our time walk the halls of their music complex over the years. But this past weekend, on Saturday, July 26, 2008, it was the place to see and be seen as the cool kids of Los Angeles - the LA Yelp Elite Squad got together to support independent arts at the 'Yelping Yelping 1 2 3' art & music showcase.

The venue was wall-to-wall with art and music lovers alike celebrating "all things local" along with the folks from the Deli Magazine as they premiered the very first Los Angeles based print issue. Groove 24/7 streaming online radio station provided the soundtrack for the private Yelp Elite preview party before the Barnettes, winner of the 'Yelping Yelping 1 2 3' local band contest, kicked off the night with a killer live performance. Additional live acts to follow included the Deli Magazine's cover band, IO Echo, Swing House regulars, Astra Heights, Austin Hartley-Leonard, and Dylan Trees.   

The eclectic crowd had an array of mixed drinks to choose from, so we must thank our participating sponsors which including Sake2Me, Caramba Tequila, Honest Tea, HINT water, Tito's Vodka, Monster Energy drink, IZZE sparkling juice, Barefoot Wine and of course we can't forget about the Green Truck, LA's only gourmet "roach coach" who provided the yummy organic and wholesome food and drinks throughout the night. 

People mingled around the studio space, in and out of the live music showcase rooms, and observed the mixed medium artwork that plastered the walls, while our resident badass photographer Amy K snapped the photos and captured the energy and excitement of the night.

Let's not forget to recognize the extremely talented group of artists and musicians involved in putting this show together and a very special thanks goes out to Phil Jaurigui and his amazing crew over at Swing House for letting us share in the experience of such a memorable event!

The LA Yelp team would also like to shout out a few of our own, including the newest member of the marketing team, Ms. Sarah A (show her some love folks) and of course, Sherry R for holding down the guest list oh-so-gracefully. Thanks to all who came out to party with us! Until next time...Rock on!

SYOY,

Aunny D

Your LA Yelp Community Manager

Yelp Around the World, Chicago style!

Say what? Oh, just Yelp Chicago's biggest party ever, Yelp Around the World!

The Chicago Yelp community descended upon Dank Haus German Cultural Center in Lincoln Square for a night of epic proportions. With DJ Nikki C at the musical reigns, The Flaming Dames Burlesque show on hand to spice things up, the Windy City Roller girls skating about and 800 hot yelpers...the night was sure to be one to remember.

Oh, and it was! With sweet sugar rushes provided by Berry Chill, TCHO Chocolates, Bleeding Heart Bakery, Sweet Collective, Marked for Dessert and RR Chocolats and fine food samplings by Venus, Palermo's/Red Ivy, Sura Thai Bistro, Thai Urban Kitchen, The Spot, Dine, The Melting Pot and La Gondola, yelpers had their work cut out for them! Ready and waiting to pamper those eatin', drinkin', break dancin' yelpers were the Henna Shop, Urban Lift Hair Salon, massages by Bloom Yoga, rockstar styles by Strange Beauty Show, Exhale Spa and mini manicures by Nail Avenue. Talk about stimulus overload...in the best way possible!

Special thanks to all of our vendors, Beth P and the Yelp CMs from around the country that showed up and rocked the party! Beck's beer was on tap, Rain Vodka and Buffalo Trace bourbon free flowin' and Black Swan wines to round out the fabulous selection of libations.

Of course we had to capture all the action! Photos from Dan Gin Photography and snapshots from Victoria Sprung of Sprung Photo documented the evening, as well as vintage photo strips courtesy of 312Photobooth.com!

Whew! Catch ya on the flipside...the best is yet to come!

SYOY,
Colleen C
Yelp Chicago Community Manager

Yelp Wins the Gold: Jonathan Gold

In this town the mere mention of Jonathan Gold sends restaurant owners and maitre d's into an all out tizzy. In this installment of the Weekly Yelp our very own, Aunny D sits down with LA's favorite foodie and Pulitzer Prize winning restaurant critic, Jonathan Gold to get the dish on some of his favorites (food and yelpers).

Aunny D: When did you come across Yelp originally? How often do you use Yelp as a resource?

Jonathan Gold: Like everyone else, I think, I started looking at Yelp as the algorithms pushed the site higher and higher up the results pages, and I find a lot of it indispensable. I trust my taste and my experience, but it is undeniably useful to discover what, say, young Taiwanese guys in Hacienda Heights think about a noodle shop in Hacienda Heights designed to appeal to young Taiwanese guys.

AD: Being a native Angeleno, in your opinion, what places (restaurants,  bars, landmarks, etc.) in LA makes this city so unique?

JG: What Los Angeles has over every other place on earth is the serendipity enabled by extreme diversity, so that you really can feel as if you’ve slipped into a wormhole in the space-time continuum and wound up somewhere completely different than where you were 15 minutes ago, where half-timbered Tudor mansions sit next door to Mexican haciendas, Norman villas and Japanese-inspired bungalows.

There are too many to name, but I am very fond of the Alameda Swap Meet, Al & Bea’s at lunchtime, the community gardens off Stanford Street in Watts, the bar at Musso and Frank’s, the mind-blowing southern-Thai curries at Jitlada, the Clark Library down in West Adams, Koreatown in its entirety and the Hollywood Farmers Market.

AD: What would your last meal on earth be (This is a Yelper profile question)?

JG: Until a couple of months ago, I would have said the splendid antipasto buffet, a plate of wild-boar pasta and a Chianina steak cooked in the fireplace at the Hostaria di Costachiara, a country trattoria north of Arezzo that I have been going to every summer for years, of course surrounded by family and friends. Unfortunately for Italian gastronomy, the owner recently had his own last meal. So I’ll go with: whatever Nancy Silverton happens to be cooking that night.  Or maybe a beef roll at 101 Noodle Express.

AD: If you were stranded on a deserted island, what meal and/or restaurant in LA would you miss the most?

JG: During the few years that I was stranded on a desert island – Manhattan – I usually found myself alighting at Golden Deli (Vietnamese spring rolls) and Langer’s (pastrami) within the first 12 hours. And even on the grayest day of an East Coast winter, it was sometimes enough to lean back, close my eyes, and imagine that I was at Ciro’s, my single favorite place in East Los Angeles: an iron-barred, low-ceilinged room; a plate of warm flautas, and the tiny dish of fresh, juicy avocado salsa that the house brings out for free.

AD: We all have our limits, so is there anything you wouldn’t eat?

JG: I find terror in a plate of scrambled eggs.

AD: Dining out as much as you do, do you ever have time to cook at home? If so, where is your favorite place to grocery shop?

JG: I cook at home every night, practically, even on nights when I go out – I have two kids to feed. I shop everywhere, but the bulk of our food comes from the farmers markets in Pasadena and Hollywood, Alexander’s Prime Meats, Fish King and 99 Ranch. And the imported cured meats, pastas, porcini, oils and cheeses at Guidi Marcello are as good as it gets.

AD: Every foodie has a guilty pleasure, so tell me, do you have a favorite fast food restaurant? (Sorry I had to) ;)

JG: The Rosemead branch of Lee’s Sandwiches, the mammoth Vietnamese banh mi operation, has a drive-thru window now.  That’s living: house-made Vietnamese charcuterie on a freshly baked baguette without getting out of your car.

AD: Do you have a favorite Yelper or a Yelp review that has really impressed/stood out to you?

JG: I have to pick just one? Valentina D stands out as a fine writer. I really like the energy Ericka L brings to her reviews. And I think Tony C hates me, but I like the vengeance with which he attacks the restaurant search.

Reporting from SF -- The Yelperazzi hit Fashion on the Square!

Thanks to all of you who came out to the Fashion on the Square event in Union Square this past Saturday. The sun came out in pleasant bursts, and it was a blast seeing such a fun and eclectic mix of styles throughout the day - on the runway and off. The Yelperazzi Photobooth captured a slew of hot looks.

Stay tuned to the Weekly Yelp to learn more about other fun events like this, and to learn where Yelperazzi will be popping up next!

 

Yelp Visits The Playhouse!

AJ's Playhouse on Channel 933 has been entertaining audiences across the county for over 8 years. From interviewing the countries biggest pop stars, to sleeping in a crane for upwards of one week to collect toys for kiddies around the holidays, the Playhouse has undoubtedly touched the lives of thousands living in America's Finest City. Yelp's very own Ruggy J caught up with the host of the top-rated morning show and fellow yelper, AJ M, to learn about his favorite places to play in San Diego.

Ruggy: You and the other guys on the show (Kalvin, Hula) seem like pretty fun dudes. Where do you head for a "guys night out" in San Diego?

AJ: If we're downtown and we're at a club, it'll probably be Whiskey Girl. But you're much more likely to catch us at a casual watering hole like East Village Tavern and Bowl, Yard House or The Local.

R: On the opposite end of the spectrum...and I don't mean to break any hearts, but I know you recently got married. Where do you and the wifey settle down for date night?

AJ: We love spending Friday night in Old town. It's not quite the same since it changed ownership, but it's still a good time. Old Town Mexican Cafe, and Zocalo Grill are our faves. In the Gaslamp we are big fans of Fleming's, Red Pearl Kitchen and Oceanaire. On the rare occasion we hit La Jolla and we can definitely be spotted getting our grub on just about anywhere in Little Italy. Then it's all about Sunday brunch at Urban Mo's.

R: If some of your listeners want to find you sippin' some syrup, which watering holes might they catch ya?

AJ: I live in Mission Valley so if we're in my hood we'll be at McGregor's or Oggi's. I also think a cold beer on a sunny Sunday afternoon at Lahaina's is about as good as it gets.

R: An earthquake is about to hit Southern California and break San Diego off into the Pacific Ocean. Where do you go for your last hang?

AJ: Probably McGregor's. I don't go there as much as I use to, but I've lived and worked in the area for years, so it definitely holds a lot of memories.

R: San Diego is well known for its endless array of Mexican food eateries...where are some of your favorites?

AJ: Tacos El Gordo on Palm Avenue is my favorite spot for legitimate tacos. El Agave in the Old Town area has amazing mole sauces and a huge tequila selection.

R: You're a big baseball fan, where are your "go-to" spots before a Padres game?

AJ: Our favorite new Padres area bar is the Tilted Kilt, but you're just as likely to catch me kickin' it at The Local. And once again, we love East Village Tavern and Bowl.

You can catch AJ's Playhouse on Channel 933 every weekday morning from 5am-10am!

Willie Nelson bio author Joe Nick Patoski: The Extended Interview

In his own words, "Texans by nature are independent, free-thinkers, open, outgoing and friendly." That sentence certainly describes Joe Nick Patoski, whose recent work chronicling Texan ambassador Willie Nelson (Willie Nelson: An Epic Life) has been met with rave reviews. Joe Nick might be the only author (certainly the only one who's written for Rolling Stone and Texas Monthly) holding book signings at Poodie's Hilltop Bar in Spicewood, but he's also someone who's spent a good deal of time during his fifty-five years in Texas in and around Austin and parts related. So naturally Yelp Austin's own Kevin N asked him about some of his favorite spots.

KN: It would stand to reason that you wrote most of An Epic Life from home (either symbolically or literally). But this area's full of places where one might sit down and work on the next great novel or bio. Where do you head to fire up your creative juices?

JNP: I go immerse myself in the Blanco River, then retreat to my hidey hole of an office, which once upon a time was the laundry room. My friend Kevin Phinney wrote his book Souled American at a Starbucks. While it would appear cool to be out in public, writing, that ain’t me, babe. I prefer showing my bidness in public when it’s done.

KN: Let's talk food. You've been on record as a pretty enthusiastic BBQ supporter. Where do you go out of your way to sample some?

JNP: I dig ‘cue. I’ll go out of the way just about anywhere to sample some. Kansas City is a great BBQ town and so is Memphis. But generally, I know that to sample anywhere else outside of Texas requires a little bit of caveat emptor. Anywhere inside the Central Texas BBQ belt which stretches from Llano to Mason to Junction to Pleasanton to Halletsville to Taylor, and especially around Luling and Lockhart, is worth exploring. In my book the best barbecue in Texas is at Luling City Market although the Luling Barbecue across 183 is pretty great too. Smitty’s, Louie Mueller’s, Cooper’s in Mason are also at the top of my list. Then again, I think I smoke the best pork ribs in Texas although my beef brisket needs more practice.

KN: It's got to be hard to cover musicians without ultimately conjuring an opinion about the best places to see them play. Where are your favorite venues to see a great show?

JNP: Best places to see a show? Someone’s living room, a tiny club, the Broken Spoke, the Continental, Red Rocks in Denver, Carnegie Hall.

KN: One of the best things about living in Central Texas is being able to show visitors around. When you have out of towners in, where do you head?

JNP: Momma was a travel agent and I guess it’s in my blood because I love showing folks around the area. I usually try to size up their interests first, but if I’m doing Austin, the Capitol, the University (Ransom Center, LBJ Library), Barton Springs, Threadgill’s South (for the music history), Mt. Bonnell and Mayfield Park, the Spoke, Barton Creek (when it’s running).and the South Austin Museum of Popular Culture are on the itinerary. Outside of the city, I enjoy showing off West Cave Preserve, Hamilton Pool (not the ugly ass development springing up around it), the Ladybird Wildflower Center, Wimberley, the Blanco Bowling Club and Fischer Hall. How far out do you want to go?

KN: It's also a gas to uncover new and cool places that most folks haven't caught onto just yet. Know of any hidden gems?

JNP: Yes I do, and I’m not about to share them or they won’t be hidden anymore. I spent much of my 22 years in Austin hyping the city to friends out of town. After what’s transpired, I apologize. I’ve learned to keep the really special spots to myself.

KN: With all the love you've been receiving on this book, have you sorted out what your next project's going to be? Clifford Antone? Leslie? Just kidding. But really, who?

JNP: Clifford talked to me about helping him on the book he was writing two weeks before he passed. Leslie? Nah. Too easy. But there is some appeal to rear back and write my take on Austin if I could figure out who I could use as the subject to write that story, just as Willie was a means to write about Texas. I’m already working on a coffee table book with the Sand County Foundation, profiling ten families in the western United States who’ve been recognized for their exemplary stewardship and sustainable ranching, farming, and forestry practices. It’s got nothing to do with Austin or music but has plenty to do with figuring out how to keep the wide open spaces of Texas wide open. These families lead by example.

A Midsummer Night's Yelp in Atlanta!

A Midsummer NIght's Yelp at Table 1280 was a doozy! On Thursday, July 17th, 2008, Atlanta yelpers flocked to this Renzo Piano designed-Woodruff Arts Center-modernly stunning space to par-tay with some of the hottest Yelpers this side of I-285. We took over the patio and lounge. . . and the 'Fabulous' artwork hanging on the wall describes the party quite well, too! DJ Numbskull cranked out tunes under a moonlight sky on the patio, while yelpers got their cheese on behind the (props intended) photo booth, too!

Feeling relaxed? Probably thanks to Shannon and posse from the Art of Touch Massage doling out complimentary mini massages to all! Or. . . it could be one too many Yelpermelon Fizzes, the signature drink created just for us! It was awesome to see so many new yelpy faces out there and the perfect setting to mingle. The staff passed hors d'oeuvres around, including amazing treats like gazpacho, chicken salad crostinis, risotto balls and tons more! The night's delight ended with a mini dessert bar, too!

Thanks so much to Josh at Table 1280 for having us for an INCREDIBLE event and also to the wonderful staff! Also many thanks to lovely photo booth done by Atlanta Photography's Frank L and Max S, and one heck of a roving photographer in Trent C! Be sure to check out more photos at the event's dedicated page!

Thanks to everyone who organized, attended and showed us some yelp love at A Midsummer Night's Yelp . . . and until next time, SYOY!

xoxo
Deanna J
Yelp Atlanta Community Manager

Yelp Mantra: Silicon Valley Elite Squad is Awesome

On July 17th, Silicon Valley yelpers and their guests gathered in Downtown Palo Alto for an intimate Elite Mantra Experience!

Throughout the evening, guests sampled hors d'oeuvres that paired California freshness with bold but not overpowering flavors and spices of India, including Lamb Lollipops, Firecracker Chicken Drumsticks, Handmade Samosas, Naanizzas and Fresh Tandoor-Baked Naan Breads. The food paired nicely with the complimentary Pinot Blanc and Pinot Noir, as well as the variety of fresh organic cocktail shots with names like "Temptress," "Savona" and "Pomegranate Crush."

To see photos of the event, take a look at the Mantra photos talk thread and check out the reviews to hear more about what Silicon Valley yelpers had to say about the evening's festivities!

Yelp Spanish Soiree at Sol Y Sombra!

The Phoenix Elite Squad packed the patio at Sol Y Sombra Wednesday night, July 16th, and enjoyed beautiful views along with plenty of tapas, Peroni, and a variety of sangria. Jetta R made her debut and reveals that she thought "the food was amazing, the sangria was like whoa, the shwag (sic) was actually useful, and the company was the shizzle." Other new faces included Jason W, Adam M, Julia T, and Misty S.

Chef Aaron May now has a Yelp fan club due to the delectable menu! Favorite tapas were the tortilla espanola, pollo colonial, baby back ribs, and patatas bravas. Four White Walls Photography captured the fun on film and blog! To check out more photos, click here. Special thanks to Tiffany C for coming in to help out all the way from Denver!

Until the next time,

xoxo,

Gabi K