Yelp Community Blog

Boston Elites Get Made Up at Mizu Salon!

Things got hot this past Saturday in Boston as Elites made their way to Mizu Salon in the Mandarin Oriental Hotel for an evening of beautification, bevvies, bites and beats!

Upon entrance to the sleek, modern space at Mizu, Elites had the chance to watch a transformation of our makeover contest winners Anna F, Orly M and Deepa C. Check out the before photos of our gals:

                              

While the makeovers were taking place, Elites were treated to complimentary blowouts, hairstyles and makeup consultations with the Mizu staff and our friends at Sephora! On hand to provide a little liquid love for the event was local liquor purveyors Berkshire Mountain Distillers, serving up their signature cocktail, The Ice Pick, along with cupfuls of their delicious vodka, gin and rum! And with bartenders on hand from Drinkmaster Bartending School, the cocktails were consistently flowing! All the while, the makeovers were in progress:

Jenny N found herself loving the spread of pate and cheese provided by Sel de la Terre on Boylston Street, and cupcakes from Sugar in West Roxbury were designer for sure, with flavors like Cotton Candy, Milky Way, Pistachio, Chocolate Peanut Butter and ELEVEN more varieties of cupcakes!

Throughout the night, Andy from Wicked Good Records kept the music pumping and the mood elevated with his selection of funk, soul and dance music. Sara S was definitely loving his remix of Brittany Spears! And if that weren't enough, Boston Photobooth was in the house, giving Elites the chance to get cute behind the curtain in their old-school style photobooth. The best part? Pics were printed on the spot and everyone took home their very own photos! And you check them all out here!

Our raffle winners Becki W, Susan J, John L and lucky plus-one Kaitlyn Z snagged tickets to Wine Riot, and Blair H's better half, also known as Lauren S, took home a pair of tickets to Cochon 555!

If you're looking for photographic evidence of all the fun, check out pics posted by Trish F and the official photos snapped by Nathan E. And of course, if you'd like to add your own thoughts, jot down a few choice words here. 

And those makeovers? Check out the gorgeous results:

 

 

 

Until we meet again, Boston!

Cheers,

Leighann F

A Poolside Soiree with Silicon Valley Elite!

Although Spring has just started, it sure felt like summertime in San Jose this past Saturday, March 28th! Elite yelpers from Silicon Valley, San Francisco and the East Bay came out in their poolside attire to have some fun in the sun at Moorpark Hotel.

Guests enjoyed complimentary light appetizers, which included bruschetta, spanakopita, raw veggies and a fruit tree provided by Moorpark Hotel's restaurant, The Park Bar & Grill, decadent cakes from Sweet Passions Bakery, as well as wine tastings by Mfinity Wines and bubbly from Barefoot Wine. VIP yelpers lounged in the pool's comfy cabanas while nibbling on delightful Landrin treats. Everyone had fun chillin' to old school hip hop beats spun by Mark the DJ of THIRTY95ZION.

The main event of the day was a runway show along the water's edge showcasing chic summer looks for women from Kitsch Couture of Saratoga, modeled by our very own lovely Yelp Elite ladies! Hazel G, Kathy D, Kelly T, May C, Ro C, Sab L and Veronica V all looked fabulous in flirty dresses with their hair done by Allan's Salon and Limon Salon, and makeup by A-List Makeup.

Yelperazzi were in attendance capturing all the day's fun festivities. Check out photos from Victor C, Henry L, Chris C, Christina C and Dennis O, and reviews about how yelpers made a big splash at the event!

 

Phoenix Yelp's Breakfast Bonanza!

The Phoenix Elite Squad mixed and mingled on Saturday afternoon, March 28th at The Breakfast Joynt.  In addition to plenty of food glorious food served family style, fresh squeezed orange juice and mimosas were plentiful... Owner David Phelps and staff went above and beyond to make sure no one left hungry.  Needless to say, everyone said farewell with happy bellies.  

As if food, drink, and yelpers weren't enough, Snap Booth Entertainment was on location with Arizona's largest photobooth and they even brought fun props!  Check out the evidence below, and visit their website for more pics.

Lucky raffle winners for the day were Sarah M, Audrey W, Amy S, Ayesha S, and Amy B.  Thanks to Sol de Mexico Tequila, Bobbie's Flowers, and Proformance Health for donating the amazing prizes.

Thanks also to Gary of four white walls photography for capturing the event with even more pics. Make sure to check out what people are saying and read the reviews for more details on the fun we had!

Until next time, SYOY!

Gabi K

Phoenix Yelp Community Manager & Mimosa Maker

It's a Miracle (Fruit) Party with Seattle's Yelp Elite!

Friday night, Seattle's Yelp Elite popped pills like nobody's business! No, we're not talking illegal drugs here... we're talking Miracle Fruit. If you're out of the loop, Miracle Fruit are berries that, when eaten make sour and acidic foods taste sweet and sweet foods taste even sweeter. Sound crazy? It most certainly was!

Mix Lounge provided the perfect atmosphere for Yelper and their guests to taste everything from lemons, limes, & grapefruit... to vinegar and strawberries. Sweet & sour candies were super sweet while the Tabasco sauce that burned a little going down ended up tasting like donut glaze!

 

While many were convinced that the potato chips they were eating were Jalapeno flavor... the truth of the matter was that they were salt n' vinegar. Put that on your tongue and taste it!

Guinness, vodka lemonade cocktails & chardonnay made for perfectly sweet libations, as regular beer just wouldn't do. Laurence L was particularly fond of the flavor trip, asking, "What else could turn cheap wine into apple juice?" Yes, they really did work wonders with one's palate.

Charlotte G was a fan of the citrus, "the lime and grapefruit were her favorite, the strawberries were also excellent--tasted like strawberries and whip" as was Alison R "was shocked with each new thing she ate because it tasted so sweet!  The strawberries may have been the most amazing thing ever."

 

Riss J who "couldn't believe how much the tastes of some things really did change" found the libations quite amusing. "The Guinness was described as "neutral", "root beer" and "chocolate shake" by various mouths in attendance." Which begs her next question, "See what I mean by dangerous? You didn't even know you were drinking alcohol.

All in all, it was a great time! A huge thank you goes out the hard working staff and crew at Mix Lounge who hosted a fabulously fun and interesting event!

For more photographic evidence that party was nothing short of a miracle, check out Miss Valentina V's photos our our flickr page & read up on the event here!

Until Next Time Seattle,

SYOY!

Katie S

Brooklyn Elites Got Sweet at Pete's!

Last night Pete's Candy Store opened its doors to a rowdy crowd of Brooklyn Elites; the live band And the Wiremen skillfully set a splendid tone, and everyone rocked out in Williamsburg! The best yelpers in NYC enjoyed complimentary cocktails from Absolut and Jameson while munching on Pete's pressed ciabatta sandwiches and sweetriot's all-natural chocolate 'peaces'. 

Love was in the air as two generations of Brooklyn Elites got giddy in the garden. Peep all the pics from Pete's provided by our very own Peter K (AKA the Pedro-azzi); some hid, some fought back, and some just went with the flow.

If you missed it, read up on those reviews and see what people are saying!

Until next time, SYOY!
-Peter D and Jane K

San Diego Yelp Goes High Pressure With Loren Nancarrow!

Channel 10's Loren Nancarrow just might have the best job on the planet--being a weather man in San Diego! In a city that features 264 days of sunny skies annually and an average high temperature of 70 degrees year round, it's safe to say he's made in the shade. In this edition of the Weekly Yelp, we sit down with the Emmy Award winner (and yelper!) to pick his brain about the greatest spots to eat, drink and be merry in America's Finest City!

Ruggy J: If actual news personalities are anything like Ron Burgundy, they like to cut loose from time-to-time. Any weekend spots you hit when you've got some time away from work?

Loren N: Susie (Loren's lady) and I aren't big party animals, but we like hangin' at Pasquale's in Del Mar. We also like watching Padres games at Trattoria Firenze, because we can't get cable at our home in the sticks. And we've been known to knock back a few at Jimmy O's. Okay, maybe we are party animals after all....

RJ: Everyone in San Diego loves a good Mexican food joint, what are some of your faves?

LN: Jorge's Mexicatessen in Encinitas has some of the most amazing chicken soup I've ever had in my life. You gotta try it! I also dig La Especial Norte on the 101. It's so authentic, it's like being in Mexico... but without the headless bodies!

RJ: You've been known to get the in the water from time-to-time... where are some of your favorite surf spots around town?

LN: What I do isn't called surfing... it's more like flailing around! I like to kayak at Cardiff Reef when there's no surf. That's my local spot.

RJ: A lot of people might not realize that you're a big music fan. What are some of your favorite local venues to catch a live band?

LN: I'm a big Belly Up fan, but the coolest new small venue is a tattoo parlor in Logan Heights called Two Roses. It's a tattoo parlor, barber shop, coffee house and music spot all in one. It has an asphalt back lot with chain link, topped with razor wire and a great view of the Bay Bridge... and it has a stage! It's a greaser punk spot and very cool. Nice people. My kid plays there sometimes.

RJ: Being a weatherman and horticultural enthusiast, what are some of your favorite "green" or organic places in SD?

LN: The Quail Botanical Gardens are really, really cool. I also enjoy the trails at San Elijo Lagoon and Torrey Pines State Reserve.

RJ: If there's one restaurant you couldn't live without in San Diego, which one would it be?

LN: Any restaurant with the word 'sushi' in it. Sushi on the Rock, Sakura Bana, Blue Fin, are my favorites. JRDN is the best new place I've tried lately. Well, new to me anyway.

RJ: Being a nature aficionado, what's your favorite view in the city?

LN: Any spot on Harbor Island with the city in the background. Killer view. Palm Canyon in Balboa Park is a must visit if you are looking for a half-acre of Costa Rica without leaving San Diego.

RJ: Any other words of advice you'd like to share with Yelp San Diego?

LN: Fight hard for what you believe, and believe you can make a difference!

Catch Loren Nancarrow every weeknight at 5, 6, 7 & 11pm on 10 News!

Yelp Arabia!

Like a genie in a bottle...Tizi Melloul rubbed Chicago yelpers the right way! On a mild Monday evening in March, Tizi dazzled with their posh, intimate space, signature cocktails, tasty samples of their Mediterranean-inspired menu (crab stuffed baby tomatoes, stuffed olives, bacon wrapped dates and hot pipin' polenta, just to name a few!), belly dancers, a henna tattoo artist and a tarot card reader! 

Yelpers indulged in tasty signature martini samples, and seemed to really dig the Rockin' Moroccan cocktail...a Tizi Melloul specialty. Mixin', minglin', hot henna tattoos, a peek into the future (I'm told this year will be casual and joy-filled!) and shakin' it with a few fabulous belly dancers...the party was a taste of an Arabian night, Chicago-style. 

Big thanks to the staff and owners of Tizi Melloul, who were at the ready with cocktails, conversation and waves of beautifully presented food! Congrats to Quantas G who took home the much coveted raffle prize: a snuggie!

Check out the photographic evidence of this lovely evening, courtesy of Matt Ginger of Ginger By Design...and see what yelpers have to say about the night's festivities!

The party future's lookin' bright, yelpers...the tarot card reader told me so! 

Genie-in-a-Yelp-bottle, 

Colleen C

Flicks, Food and Fun with Silicon Valley Elite!

Silicon Valley Yelp Elites and friends stayed out of the rain yesterday, thanks to the SF International Asian American Film Festival and E&O Trading Company! The afternoon started off at Camera Cinemas in Downtown San Jose with the screening of the suspenseful Chinese film, The Equation of Love an Death and the compilation of dark yet hopeful South Asian short films from India, the U.K., the U.S.A. and Australia in Third I.

Following the two SFIAAFF films, everyone headed down the street to E&O Trading Company for a fabulous after-party exclusively for Yelp Elite. Guests enjoyed a variety of Southeast Asian appetizers, including house special Indonesian corn fritters, peanut chicken satay, sesame steak, portobello mushroom satay, panir cheese naan, three seeded naan, mini take-out fried rice and mini take-out Burmese ginger salad. All of which paired perfectly with the Rieslings provided by Dee Vine Wines. Don Riedthaler was in the house to educate guests about the selections.

Many thanks to Sal Martinez and his wonderful staff at E&O, who kept our yelpers satiated throughout the evening! In case you missed out, read up on what yelpers are saying in their reviews of the eventful day and postings on Talk, and check out more photos!

DC yelpers get their game on with Yelp's pleYdate!

Hot on the heels of St. Patty's Day, DC yelpers congregated for some serious shenanigans to keep the Irish spirit alive! Glover Park's Breadsoda opened their doors to a boisterous crowd of Elites, and welcomed the squad with fun and entertainment all evening long! As the waves of yelpers came chugging off the uber-swanky KegBus, the festivities for DC Yelp's pleYdate kicked into high gear.

Cindy Y got to show off her pool shark skills, while Justin S demonstrated his table tennis talents. Jeff W looked on while Lydia H worked her lucky charms on the shuffleboard table. Meanwhile, Alicia C and Katie F caused a ruckus of tumbling blocks with some drunken Jenga. Extra lucky Elites like Justin C and Alicia G took home raffle prizes of complete bartending kits and handles of beer.

Troegs Brewing Company came out with gusto - and by "gusto," we mean their hoppy Troegenator craft beer. Not to be outdone, North Coast's Scrimshaw was also happily slurped down by celebrating Elites. For the Irish-for-a-day folk, plenty of Michael Collins Irish Whiskey got served up in dangerously smooth Green Dublin Apples. Jon W sipped this sauce, clearly not having had enough from the day before.

As usual, the ever phenomenal photographer, Jane K, captured all of the action with her superior shooting skills. We don't think that there's any debauchery that would prevent anyone from running for office, but you can see for yourself!

Until next time, SYOY!
-Kevin L

Yelp Elite Shenanigans in the East Bay!

    

The spirit of St. Patrick was alive at Pyramid Alehouse last night as yelpers convened with a chorus of "Slainte", toasting high with emerald brews! Pinchers were eager and ready, but nary a yelper recipient was found as all were decked out in the greenest of finery from oversized hats to homemade t-shirts. 

 Anne T ventured out for her first elite event, and was thrilled with the "great group of personalities" and smorgasbord of fantastic beers. While Matthew M was leery of Paddy's Day revelers holding it down, he managed to keep his shoes clean and enjoy his first East Bay shindig sipping on the green, green and munching yummy nosh! Crystal L made merry with the mini-Reubens and apricot ale, though Andrew T's may have been most excited about the traditional Irish dancer. The whole experience got Brianna S so jazzed, she's already planning a revisit!

True to the reviews, it was the welcoming, friendly staff at Pyramid that made these shenanigans truly memorable - many thanks from our crew to yours!

Riverdancing, chugging contests, green twins and more, documented by South Bay's own Connie C on the Yelp Flick page, here. Always one to capture the debauchery, Trey C shows the lens why our 'hood is the baddest of em all...

Want to get in on the elite action? Yelp.com/elite has the answers!

May the luck o' the Irish be with ya all year 'round...

Cheers!
Ligaya T