Yelp Community Blog

Seattle's Yelp Elite are All About Autumn

Seattle's Yelp Elite came out for a fantastically fun fall event at Louisa's on Eastlake! Yelpers and their guests sipped on wine and nibble on bites from their fabulous fall menu while they mingled with their fellow Yelp. The crab cakes and filet were a huge hit, as were the brownies. Wine flowed for hours, as Yelpers enjoyed a cozy evening at this lovely restaurant!

    

New Seattle Community Manager Katy H received a very warm welcome as she was announced to the Elite Squad. A long time member of the SeaTown Yelp Community, we're very happy to have her aboard! Yelpers also voted on the winning pumpkin, which belonged to Nori V.

   
                                 
A huge thank you goes out to Alcena, Chef Chris & crew at Louisa's, for hosting such a fantastic evening with delicious food and drink. For evidence that this was a good 'ol time, check out the reviews... and check out our photos here.

   

Food, wine, and good Yelp friends... what more could we ask for? 

SYOY, Seattle!

Katie S

Ma Vie en Yelp

Yelpers crossed both time and space to make Yelp Masquerades à la Maxim's a smashing success!  Picture it: Paris, 1900s, red drapes, seductive seating...and yelpers! Chicago's Elite squad came out in force and in their best cocktail attire and fancy french masks to celebrate Halloween with a twist. Maxim's (a replica of the famed Parisian landmark) served as host for this très bon event.

After checking in, yelpers descended down a winding staircase to hear melodious piano playing that set the mood for a whimsical and romantic evening. As they crossed the floor into the bar area, yelpers got to choose from four different specialty cocktails, courtesy of Pearl vodka. As a perfect pairing to the libations, yelpers dined on savory crêpes from Crepe Bistro.  

The evening continued into the dining room, where a mirrored panel slid away to reveal - Eyes Manouche!  The band delighted yelpers with nearly two hours of French-rooted gypsy balkan dance music. They got the yelpers to their feet and rocked the house. All that dancing makes a yelper hungry for sweets! Luckily, thanks to D'Absolute Catering's top-notch service, there were plenty of sweet crêpes from Crepe Bistro and cupcakes (in flavors like crème brûlée, hot chocolate and champagne) from Luscious Layers passed around to satisfy even the most demanding sweeth tooth.

And all this great action was caught on film! You can see ShutterBooth pictures here or experience the night through the lens of Zoran Orlic of Zero Studio here. The pictures alone don't tell the tell. Check out what yelpers had to say here. Ohh la la, Yelp!  Laissez les bon temps roulez!

Johnny T

 
 
 

Yelpers Get Ghoulish at Privé

In the spirit of All Hallow's Eve, Philadelphia's Yelp Elite Squad packed the swanky house at Privé for a spooktacular night of Venitian masks, Devo hats, and Batman grappling hooks!  

The hotness only continued with a feast of delectable Mediterranean cuisine courtesy of Privé, who supplied a little something for everyone! Manda W described the butlered offerings as "little vittles of heaven!" And with beverages in bulk supplied by Cruzan Rum and Jim Beam's newest bourbon baby, Red Stag, everyone kept their cool with the Privé Punch and the Red Stag Cherry Lemonade flowing all night long!

 

Capturing the moments of mayhem and debauchery was our very own Minnie Mouse, er, Ferry, and keeping the door in check was the ever-gracious and good looking, Peter D! Had a costume favorite or memory to share? Peep the official photos and be sure let us know what you loved!

Be on the lookout for the next Elite shindig!

Until Then,

Monica S

Roaring 20's Halloween Melt Down in Palo Alto

The Roaring Twenties were a time of social and artistic expression. And judging by the plethora of stunning flapper dresses, Gatsby T-Strap shoes, black and white pin-striped suits, fedoras, head-bands, boas, Tommy Guns, Bonny and Clyde get-ups, and yes, even a "We Want Beer" prohibition sign at the Silicon Valley Yelp Elite Event at swanky Melt Lounge in Downtown Palo Alto last night, it looks like 2009 is finishing with a creative "roaring" bang!

South Bay yelpers arrived at low-lit Melt ready to party. Hats were cocked to the side, black patent shoes glistened beneath Melt's stunning chandeliers, while couples in matching black and red 20's outfits made themselves comfortable on the chic zebra print chairs and cozy crimson booths.

Dapper and sleekly dressed yelpers sipped on delicious Rain Organics Vodka cocktails, and toasted cold Firestone brews, while snacking on Melt's piping hot postickers, fresh vegetable and chicken filled quesadillas, and crispy fries. As the night progressed, guests loosened their suspenders, adjusted their feather adorned head-bands and made their way to the dance floor upstairs to jam out to the DJ Dan Wallace's rockin' mix: of everything from MGMT classics to Lady Ga-Ga. Come the end of the event, the dance floor was a sea of roaring Zoot suits and fringed dresses. There was even a 1920's surgeon caught boogying it down!

 

The days of Prohibition are long gone, but it was evident by the the recounts of the great times to be had, as well as the pics from last night, including those from Carol L, that the Roaring 20's are still alive in Palo Alto! Huge thanks to Melanie and her staff at Melt for hosting us!

Yelp Presents EaDo Palooza!

More than 600 yelpers made way to Francisco Studios on Saturday, October 24, 2009, ready to explore the sights, sounds, tastes, and culture of Houston's East Downtown District – otherwise now known as "EaDo."

Not a dull moment to be had, as with each twist and turn the crowd made through the eight open studios were walls splashed with art from more than a dozen local talented painters, sculptors, photographers and instillation masterminds.

House of Blues resident deejay Wyatt Magnum took over the main stage and put the festivities into a groove as he spun old skool vinyls, and DJ Creole, Freddy B, Tunsai and WyldStyl hip hop dance company worked JB Carrillo's studio. Along with live nude sketching by Johnathan Felton, famous urban artist GONZO247 also entertained palooza partygoers with a live graffiti demonstration on a donated vehicle!

Special thank you to all of our sponsors, including EaDo eateries Calliope's Po-Boy, Huynh and Lucky's Pub for providing the bites and Rain Organics Vodka, Saint Arnold Brewing Company and Monster Energy for keeping the crowd cool.

We also can't forget Aerosol Warfare Gallery & Boutique, EaDo, Houston Electric Cars, Fresh Arts Coalition, Hotel Icon, Houston Dynamo and the Dynamo Girls, Lofts at the Ballpark, Magnum Music Group, and all of the participating artists: Andrew Chapa, Andy Howell, Brian Boyter, char koho, Christian Navarrete, Cyndi Valverde, daniel-kayne, Elisabeth Jackson, GONZO247, JB Carrillo, Jim Olive, Johnathon Felton, Joseph Cohen, Marshall Hinman, Santiago Lee, Tomas Glass

Be sure and check out other highlights straight from the yelpers' mouth, along with candid photos and wacky photo booth pics!

Til next time, SYOY (see you on Yelp) ... and in EaDo!

Farrah A
Houston Community Manager
Yelp! Inc.

Yelp Bubbly Toes Spa Retreat!

This past Friday evening, Chicagoland Yelp Elites gathered for an evening of blissful mini-spa services at Elan Hair Body & Sole including manicures, makeup application, blowouts and styling, waxing and massages. Even a few brave males made it out for some pampering!

La Gondola Italian Restaurant generously provided Chardonnay and Sangiovese from their new wine list, and some French champagne made a welcome appearance too! In between sips and spa treatments, yelpers nibbled on sweet treats from Pastries Not Potatoes. Mini cupcakes, a salted caramel confection and the pièce de résistance: a chocolate fondue fountain with pound cake and marshmallows for our dippin' delight!

        

Click here to see some photos of yelpers unwinding in luxurious style. Also, the glowing reviews are in... see what yelpers have to say about the Bubbly Toes Spa Retreat!

      

Thanks again to our lovely sponsors Elan Hair Body & Sole, La Gondola, and Pastries Not Potatoes for an undeniably indulgent evening.

SYOY!
Jelena Z
Yelp Chicagoland Community Manager

Viva Yelp! at Café Habana!

Metro Detroit's Yelp Elite Squad got down underground last evening -- at the mojito bar & salsa lounge of Ann Arbor's own little slice of Cuba -- Café Habana! 

With Cuban music setting the tone, yelpers nibbled on mariquitas, baked goat cheese, and tacos al pastor, all while nursing mojitos, margartias and Habana's own special brew. 
                 

Yelper Nick H hammed it up for the camera, and Athena K walked away the lucky winner of a gift certificate to the nearby Michigan Theater. Elite Squad members eagerly opened their brand-spankin'-new Yelp lunchboxes, and a few scuffles even ensued with envious friends...              

Big thanks to the staff and owners at Café Habana -- for taking care of the Elite Squad with style and aplomb and leaving yelpers proclaiming: "Viva Yelp!" Check out some pics and reviews as they roll in...

What a night! Until next time...
SYOY!
Mariah C

East Bay's Steins & 'Staches Oktoberfest!

If there's one thing that yelpers and Germans have in common, it's the mutual appreciation for a brilliant combination of malts, yeast and hops. That's right, beer is dear to our hearts, and last night at Pyramid Brewery and Alehouse in Berkeley, East Bay Elites and guests discovered just how deep that love goes! From Haywire Hefeweizen and Audacious Apricot Ale to Thunderhead IPA, swigging was the name of the game. And to go along with our lip-smacking good brews, the generous kitchen filled our bellies with all sorts of goodies!

 

In proper Deutsch style, some imbibers came decked in lederhosen and dirndl, while others embraced a more contemporary German look, the mustache! After a few pints of ale in custom-decorated steins, folks polkaed to the sounds of oompa band, Big Lou's Casserole. We'd be lying if we said there wasn't some chicken dancing and do-si-doing going on! Ahhh, what inspiration beer brings.

Danke schoen to the entire Pyramid crew for taking such good care of us! Something about local brew just tastes better. How good? See for yourself on Flickr, and hear the tales from yelpers themselves!

Inspired to join us next time? Yelp.com/Elite has all the details.

Until next time...

Prost & SYOY!
Ligaya T

Toronto Yelpers Eat & Drink Locally At Harbord House!

 

This past Tuesday, Toronto yelpers were treated to a feast of appetizers and ale as they mixed and mingled upstairs at Harbord House!

As guests arrived they were handed one half of a festive pumpkin cutout and instructed to find their corresponding pumpkin match - coupled matches then went head-to-head answering ten trivia questions about Toronto in celebration of Harbord House's approach to from-scratch comfort food that's close to home!

Throughout the night the food was flowing and no one stayed emptyhanded for long - we spotted Jail Island smoked salmon salad on a potato pancake with lemon-dill aioli and organic greens, artfully assembled Goat Cheese & Fig salad and Berkshire Pulled Pork sandwiches on slider-sized egg buns. Everyone let out a collective gasp when a massive wicker basket of individually newspaper-wrapped fish 'n chips arrived: yummy beer battered haddock with a pile of yukon gold frites deep inside the cone. To finish off, individual English Sticky Toffee Puddings made the rounds and as you can see from the carnage left over, they were a hit!



While not everyone knew the answer to which streetcar serves 45,000 passengers a day (510 Spadina), many knew that Degrassi High was the first televised show to drop "the F bomb" (yelpers sneaked glances at the Degrassi movie playing on the big screen while mingling). The taps were flowing with specialty Pumpkin Ale from Great Lakes Brewery - Toronto's oldest craft brewery - as well as Albertan Big Rock Traditional Ale, and reps David and Kevin were there to chat with inquisitive yelpers about beer, bottle openers and the Calgary Flames.

A very special thank you to owner John Oakes and his wonderful staff at Harbord House - these supremely hospitable folks know how to throw a kickass party!

Check out the fancy photos from the event, taken by yelper Jeff Jewiss, plus all the glowing reviews and promises of return visits from our elite yelpers!

Till next time!
Kat F.

Yelp.Community: Causes for a Party in Chicago!

It was just a match made In Yelpin' at the first ever community-service focused Yelp event in Chicago, Yelp.Community: Causes for a Party!

Yelp Chicago (and Chicagoland) worked together to round up some stellar Chicago area non-profits in need of support and volunteers, in an effort to match them with a large group of excited, passionate yelpers. Indeed it seemed to do the trick...with participating non-profits reporting over 1,500 sign-ups!  

Pazzo's beautiful atrium in the Loop set the scene along with beautiful arrangements by Evolution Floral for an evening of networking, connecting, good spirit and goodwill...and in true Yelp fashion it was a rockin' party as well! Shutterbooth.com was snap snappin' fab photobooth pics, Victoria Sprung (Sprung Photo) and Jen Soares (Jennifer Soares Photography) captured the evening all candid-style, while Cage & Aquarium Productions worked to keep the vibe spinnin' with tunes....

Sprung Photo pics, Jennifer Soares pics, reviews!

Participating Non-Profits: 

One Brick, GiveForward.com, Open Books, ChicagoPride.com, ActOfGood.com, Family Farmed, Lil Sis Expo, Meals on Wheels Chicago, Chicago Inner City Outings, Inspiration Corporation, IL Coalition for Immigrants & Refugee Rights, Working In The Schools (WITS), Clearbrook, Community Building Tutors, Jobs For Youth, Friends of Chicago Animal Care and Control (FCACC), American Red Cross, Bear Necessities,  Expanding Lives, Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestra, Anti-Cruelty Society, Near West Little League, The Jewish Community Center, HighSight, Young Leaders Society, Immerman Angels, Join the Impact, United Way Young Leaders, Climate Cycle, Horizons For Youth, Tree House Humane Society, Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, The Academy for Global Citizenship, Safe Foundation, Architecture for Humanity