Yelp Community Blog

Seattle's Yelp Elite Ate. Drank. And Watched Movies at the Cinebarre Grand Opening!

Seattle's Yelp Elite Ate. Drank. And Watched Movies at Cinebarre's Grand Opening Premier Party on Thursday night! The Yelp Elite and their guests came out in great numbers to celebrate the opening of Seattle's newest, high end "dinner & a movie" experience!

Before heading in to the main features, Terminator and Star Trek, Yelpers mingled with their fellow Elite noshed on a variety of appetizers at the pre-movie reception where they including fried pickles, mozzarella sticks, and plenty of chips & salsa. They washed it all down with beer and champagne. When was the last time you saw Diamond Knot IPA or Mac 'n Jacks served up in frosty pint glasses at the movies? Well, at Cinebarre it's encouraged!

Dinner and more bevvys came during the feature films. Pizzas & big bowls of popcorn were served throughout the features, while Yelpers enjoyed two of this summer's biggest blockbusters! After the film, Yelpers left sated and happy with goodie bags which included free passes for more films & tickets to comedy show, among other things. A big thanks goes out to the hardworking folks at Cinebarre for making this evening a memorable one!

Needless to say, this event was one for the books. For more evidence that this was a spectacular event, check out Ron M's photos on flickr and read up on the reviews here!

Until Next Time Seattle...

SYOY!

Katie S

Yelp DC Sails Away at the Naval Heritage Center

Last night, throngs of DC yelpers congregated at the Naval Heritage Center to Sail Away with Yelp! Although the ominous, threatening storm clouds looming over the nation's capital kept us from partying it up on the grounds of the US Navy Memorial, everyone was steaming it up indoors, and we have the photographic evidence to prove it. Scope out the pics here, once again, thanks to the diligent efforts of our awesome photographers, Jane K and Lillian C.

Upon arriving at their destination aboard the SS Yelp, attendees offered up Tons of Tuna for the fantastic local charity, DC Central Kitchen before descending into the morass of food, fun, and festive party-goers. Some yelpers came dressed to the nines - or perhaps dressed to kill? Jack F's full pirate regalia sure had us going, while Alicia G and Julie H seemed to be more equipped to float away with Yelp, and Lia D's sailor outfit was swimmingly convincing. Did anyone catch the plumage that Juliana C was sporting? Preppy yachters, booty-seeking pirates, and Navy midshipmen, we had the whole gamut - but where were the mermaids?

Plenty of great local businesses provided delightful morsels and refreshing energy boosters. Jackson's Roasting and Carving Company came equipped with seemingly endless hunks of mouth-watering meat, which they hand-carved for yelpers to dip in their many specialty sauces, Z-Burger went wild with stirring up milkshakes of an assortment of flavors, Teaism's famed salty oat cookies were snarfed up in mass quantities, Gifford's Ice Cream handed out cup after cup of decadent ice cream and subtly seductive sorbets, while Busboys and Poets offered up glass upon glass of refreshing (and antioxidant-rich) pomegranate lemonade.

The drinks started early and didn't let up, either! Red Stag black cherry infused whisky bourbon shots  were being dispensed from a chilled shot machine and tossed back as quickly as they were poured, DeKuyper shot girls with "rocket packs" full of pre-crafted drinks navigated their way around the room to spread some cheer, MGD 64 kept the fresh, light beer going all night long, Phil Greene of the Museum of the American Cocktail shook up dozens upon dozens of ginger mojitos crafted with Domaine de Canton ginger liqueur and Mount Gay Rum, Non-Stop Vodka and Honest Tea paired up for some hefty Honest VodkaTeanis, Yealands and Tilia Wineries shared some red and white joy to make even the blue-est person light up, and Vitamin 10 water helped to stave off future hangovers. Whew!

Party on Marz spun some wicked beats and had Ronnail R and her hubby up and shaking it while everyone else lined up to be whisked away to distant escapes with JOLT Events' green screen photo booth. Be sure to stay tuned to our Yelp flickr photostream for those to make their debut.

Thanks again for coming out to sail away with us, and way to go Yelp DC for bringing in over three hundred cans of tuna to support our local community! Until next time, bon voyage and SYOY!

Silicon Valley Elite Wine, Dine & Rock Out at The Mountain Winery

  Last night, Silicon Valley Elite ascended onto the spectacular Mountain Winery in Saratoga. Once guests arrived, they were shuttled over to the Château Deck, where they were greeted by breathtaking views of the valley. An incredible spread including made-to-order fajitas and tacos, risotto, beef tenderloin, bacon wrapped scallops, coconut shrimp and stuffed mushrooms prepared by Chef David Sidoti and the Culinary Team awaited the exuberant group. Desserts included a gelato station, delightful ice cream sandwiches from KICKS Cookies & Ice Cream and chocolate treats from Dolce Bella. The Mountain Winery's wonderful Estate wines flowed throughout the night.

After yelpers filled their bellies, they swapped their wine glasses for plastic cups and moved from the Château Deck down to the newly renovated Concert Bowl, where they rocked out to a very special performance by the Bay Area's own alternative rock band Johnny Hi-Fi!

 

Mikey U's review of the epic event summed it up best:

"The grand vista, overlooking the expanse of Silicon Valley...
The bountiful and lavish spread of delectable eats...
The generous pours of wine and beer...
A bevy of fresh faces...
Engaging conversations.
Boisterous laughs.
Good times, great times."

To read more about these great times, check out the reviews here. Thanks to Victor C and Carol L for capturing stunning photos of the event. And very special thanks to the entire staff of The Mountain Winery who went above and beyond for our Elite!

   

San Francisco Yelp Elites Get an Advance Taste of Food, Inc. with Michael Pollan

San Francisco Elites enjoyed a special preview screening of Food, Inc. last night before it hits theaters. Celebrity author and epicurean Michael Pollan was there live and in person, as well as the film's producer Robert Kenner, to take questions about how our supermarket food is produced.

  

Elites ate Food, Inc. up, since Yelp is all about helping people become smarter consumers, even at their local grocery store. From Halle T pointing out that "Oprah was sued in 1996 for shaming hamburgers after the mad-cow-disease disaster" to Patra B lamenting how a "low income family couldn't afford to eat vegetables because they were more expensive than fast food," folks are waxing poetic about the film in their reviews.

Thanks to Ryan Reyes of chosenbydestiny.com, the photos capture everyone having a smashing time.

Until the next event, SYOY –

Nicole G

Wine, Backbeats & Comfort Food in Austin? Yes Please!

Maybe the only thing better than a saucy glass of wine in a sexy room is being there with friends. 160 Austin yelpers proved as much with the Elite Event christening of the new Max's Wine Dive in downtown Austin recently, and it was, in a word, awesome!

With DJ Honeycomb laying down phat beats in the background, yelpers could get to what they do best: sampling some amazing wines from four Napa vineyards, trying out a new Yelpy temporary tattoo, or chowing down on some of the Max's short ribs, oyster nachos, fried honey-glazed chicken and sliders the restaurant served throughout.

And from beginning to end, new faces and those we've long since known each brought smiles to bear. Because what's not to love about great food, terrific wine and some of the best people going?

 

Brooklyn Yelp Kicks the Summer Off Right!

Last night NYC Elites started the summer stupendously with beers and brick-oven pizza at Toby's Public House in Brooklyn!

Rain couldn't keep the party down, as Tim and Bam behind the bar kept the beers from Old Speckled Hen, Moretti and Weihenstephan flowing, while yelpers feasted thankfully on the thin-crust pizza fresh out of the oven and plentiful antipasti plates. Rhymes were busted, impromptu Weezer singalongs were had, arm-wrestling challenges were accepted, and hilarity ensued.

Whether or not you were able to make it out, be sure to read the reviews, peep some pics, and check out what people are saying!

Yelp Life.

-Peter D.

Chicago Yelp Tequila Tuesday!

One tequila, two margaritas, three palomas...Yelp!

Salud Tequila Lounge is home to a dazzling array of 100 percent agave tequilas, some ass-kickin' appetizers (the empanadas were a huge hit!), rockin' house DJs and a swank (yet accessible) vibe. So, the likely conclusion was to pack this Wicker Park tequila haven full of Chicago yelpers wishing to kick-off summer in style. The mix was 100 percent...Yelp-fun!

A big, huge thank you to the staff and management (hi Adam!) at Salud Tequila Lounge for slingin' drinks, passin' apps, spinnin' tunes and kicking the party into high gear, and to Hacienda Vieja for providing the liquid love on the first Tuesday of summer! 

The only misstep? Rain. Bummer. Just means we'll all have to return for some patio-lovin' very soon at Salud...

Check out the tequila-fueled reviews and saucy photos by Matt Ginger (Ginger by Design), and keep an eye peeled for the next one!

Cheers to a fabulous summer of Yelping!

Colleen C

Yelp Chicago Community Manager

LA's Bitten on the Bayou Elite Bash

This week LA’s Elite Squad took a bite out of the deep South for a deliciously dark party worthy of the vampire Lestat himself. Dark, brooding, toothsome gents and sexy, seductive southern belles donned their favorite vamp and Southern gear and descended upon Mid-City South with their fangs sharpened to enjoy The Mint’s savory treats (just sliders, no stakes) and Kiss My Bundt’s red velvet sweets washed down with smooth Gentleman Jack and blood red vino from One Hope Wine. 

Before the party got started, five lucky yelpettes, including Jackie G and Amber B, received Glam Vamp Makeovers courtesy of Studio DNA Beverly. For everyone else, there was a raffle complete with a Southern vamp’s favorite treats like gift certificates for some of the city’s freshest meat at local butcher Marconda’s Meat Market, boxes brimming with pecan pralines from Littlejohn’s, New Orlean’s favorite Café du Monde chicory coffee and beignet mix, gift bags full of Louisiana hot sauce and a funnel cake set that went back to the coffin with a very happy Matthew K.

As the room heated up, Adam B, Skylar L and Kevin C joined Buffy on stage for a rousing round of improv Air Guitar. Kevin C’s inspired performance won the steamy room over and scored him an enviable KCRW prize package!

The night wound down with live music from local band Joe Greene and the Heavy Steppers and soon it was time for all to return home to their crypts.

Antonio from Lovin Life Photography was on hand to immortalize the night’s festivities, so don’t miss all the devilish pics in the Yelp LA collection or the sweet embrace of the yelptastic party reviews.

Until we meet again… SYOY!

Dawson S

¡Houston Yelp Presents Quince De Mayo Summer Fiesta!

What's more caliente than summer in H-town? Houston Yelpers, amigos! To kick off yet another sizzlin' season in the Bayou City, Yelp Houston presented Quince De Mayo Summer Fiesta. It was our largest event to date, with more than 350 yelpers trekking to East End Urban Market on Friday, May 15th to celebrate Yelp Houston's first open party for the entire Yelp community.

Indeed it was hot, but many o’ cool fiesta-goers arrived in summer style, ready to shake their bon bon at the colorful and Mexican-themed East End Urban Market. Upon entry, guests were greeted with refreshing iced barrels of flavored Sweet Leaf Tea – mint honey, lemonade, raspberry – along with a smiling Andrea R, hailing all the way from Yelp Chicago to quickly check in the crowds and register them for prize drawings.

DJ Francesco Conti got the partied started, turning up the heat with hypnotic Latin beats as yelpers gyrated across the dance floor. And what's a summer fiesta without live musica? El Mariachi Guadalupano made their grand entrance mid-event, surprising the crowd with an hour-long song and dance performance. We even caught some yelpers joining in!

When things got too heated, Steamworks Brewing Company cooled off the crowed with crisp cans of Engine Lager and Third Eye Pale Ale (those Yelp koozies sure came in handy!); and Bridlewood Estate Winery filled empty cups and soothed thirsty palates with their flavorful Monterey County Chardonnay and Reserve Syrah.

For the señores y señoritas who worked up an appetite sashaying across the dance floor – or shopping around the market with the 16 vendors on display – a dizzying array of bites from local Yelp favorites were on site to fill those tummies. Calliope’s Po-Boy brought out an assortment of Cajun eats, including gumbo and fried rice, Mi Luna went tapas with savory chicken skewers, My Fit Foods was there to get yelpers into swimsuit mode, Ruggles Café Bakery whipped out mini-versions of their famous desserts, like cheesecake, carrot cake and Strawberry Bomb, and Saint Dane's Bar & Grille dished out fried pickles, ‘tenders, wings and more!

Multiple prizes, generously donated by EEUM’s vendors, sent winners home with organic soaps, oils, candles and handcrafted pottery. But not a yelper walked away emptied handed, as gift bags for fiesta-goers were filled with samples, savings and gift cards to Contents, Cut Loose, DuO, La Torretta Del Lago Resort & Spa's Chez Roux, Nightclub Cardio, River Oaks Fitness, Wish, and YogaOne Studios.

With the night slowly coming to an end and folks flocking to the patio for a relaxing game of Loteria (Mexican Bingo), local singer/songwriter Shina Rae stole everyone’s attention by serenading the crowd with “Lighting Strikes.” Yelper Crystal L was quick to garner some attention too, as she surprised everyone with her backup singing/dancing skillz to “Come Get Me.” Girls sure got down!

If you missed the event – or just want to relive it – a yelpy Trésor Photography photo booth caught many o’ zany moments, and shutterbug Kenny H was also sure to capture saucy candid moves and paparazzi-worthy poses. Read up on what you fellow Yelp amigos are saying about the Quince De Mayo Summer Fiesta, or share your thoughts and opinions on the evening.

Hope everyone who made it out had a yelpy good time. I know I did!

Until next time, compadres, SYOY (see you on Yelp),

Farrah A
Houston Community Manager

 

 

Yelpers get a Taste!

We know our Elite Squad yelpers have excellent taste! The question was, how many had gotten a chance to get a bite at Taste Pizzabar, a spot combining carefully-crafted pizzas with vino?

Last night, the Metro Detroit Elite Squad converged to break bread (well, pizza!), sip, and savor the flavors of Taste. With prizes from local salon Curl Up and Dye and others on the "Wheel of Pizza," there were plenty of chances for the Yelp Elite to go home with all kinds of goodies -- among other winners, Dea A got geeked about her free pedi, and Jeff R claimed a pizza wallet!

Head Chef Dale spoke with the crowd, and was eager to explain how he envisioned Taste -- as a meeting place for all different sorts of people from around the city and 'burbs.  He also elaborated on how his carefully made crust and fresh ingredients set Taste apart from the pizza pack.

By the happy looks on some yelper faces, it seems they agreed!

 

If you're wondering what you missed or craving a second nibble, check out the rest of the photos and reviews!

Until next time, SYOY!
Mariah C
Metro Detroit Yelp Community Manager